Recruitment Warriors 2025/2026 Recruitment & Retention

Warriors 2025/2026 Recruitment & Retention Discussion​

-	Player	2025	2026	2027	2028	2029
1	Bunty Afoa	✔
2	Tom Ale	✔
3	Mitchell Barnett	✔	✔	✔
4	Rocco Berry	✔	✔
5	Tanah Boyd	✔	✔
6	Kurt Capewell	✔	✔
7	Erin Clark	✔	✔	✔
8	Wayde Egan	✔	✔	✔
9	James Fisher-Harris	✔	✔	✔	✔
10	Jackson Ford	✔	✔	✔
11	Leka Halasima	✔	✔	✔
12	Morgan Harper	✔
13	Chanel Harris-Tavita	✔	✔
14	Sam Healey	✔	✔	✔
15	Edward Kosi	✔
16	Jacob Laban	✔	✔
17	Ali Leiataua	✔	✔	✔
18	Freddy Lussick	✔	✔
19	Te Maire Martin	✔
20	Luke Metcalf	✔	✔
21	Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad	✔	✔	✔
22	Marata Niukore	✔	✔
23	Adam Pompey	✔	✔	✔
24	Tanner Stowers-Smith	✔
25	Taine Tuaupiki	✔	✔
26	Roger Tuivasa-Sheck	✔	✔
27	Demitric Vaimauga	✔	✔	✔	✔
28	Dallin Watene-Zelezniak	✔	✔	✔
S1	Kayliss Fatialofa	S
S2	Kalani Going	S
S3	Luke Hanson	S
S4	Eddie Ieremia-Toeava	S	✔	✔
S5	Sio Kali	S
S6	Patrick Moimoi	S
-	Kahu Capper	T	T
-	Jett Cleary	T	S	S
-	Morgan Gannon	-	✔	✔	✔
-	Jye Linnane	-	✔	✔	✔
-	Motu Pasikala	T	?	?

C = Club option, M = Mutual option, P = Player option, S = Supplementary contract, T = Train & Trial contract

Confirmed Top 30 2025: 28/30
Confirmed Supplementary 2025: 6/6

Confirmed Top 30 2026: 25/30
Confirmed Supplementary 2026: 1/6

2026 Gains: Jye Linnane (Newcastle Knights), Morgan Gannon (Leeds Rhinos)
2026 Losses: Nil

Off Contract: Bunty Afoa, Tom Ale, Morgan Harper, Edward Kosi, Te Maire Martin, Tanner Stowers-Smith
Off Contract from 01/11/25: Rocco Berry, Tanah Boyd, Kurt Capewell, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Jacob Laban, Freddy Lussick, Luke Metcalf, Marata Niukore, Taine Tuaupiki, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

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[CWC]

I personally wouldn't keep bunty here beyond this year, I would however sign Ale on and promote Smith.

Ale and Smith could back up our top four props and you could even add Crosby to that mixer as well, I'm talking 2027.

Forgot Gannon will take the last spot too - Healey/Demi/Ford/Gannon probably balances it out better.

 

[Theking267]

I don’t think we resign any of, Bunty, Ale, Martin or Kosi. Niukore and Vaimauga will be competing for the last bench spot next year. Healy, Ford, Gannon and either Demetric or Marata. Pompey and Tauapiki will be the back up wingers, centre & fullback. Jye Linnane will be the starting 6 in cup next year. Boyd will be back next year as Cleary isn’t ready to start in the NRL.

 

[Noitall]

I don’t think we resign any of, Bunty, Ale, Martin or Kosi. Niukore and Vaimauga will be competing for the last bench spot next year. Healy, Ford, Gannon and either Demetric or Marata. Pompey and Tauapiki will be the back up wingers, centre & fullback. Jye Linnane will be the starting 6 in cup next year. Boyd will be back next year as Cleary isn’t ready to start in the NRL.

Think the club would be mad not to extend TMM. Hopefully it doesn’t happen, but it would be interesting to see if Metcalf was out who would be their backup 7. I think obviously Boyd would be, but TMM has shown he’s more than capable of playing 7. Still don’t know what to make of Boyd’s cryptic instagram post but I’ve been impressed with how TMM has performed consistently in nsw cup without any fuss and listening to him after the game, he’s obviously keen to stick around. He’s an experienced campaigner now and the amount of positions he can fill to a high quality is huge I think. Showed how versatile he can be furthermore by filling in at lock against the dragons

 

[Tookey 2.0]

Think the club would be mad not to extend TMM. Hopefully it doesn’t happen, but it would be interesting to see if Metcalf was out who would be their backup 7. I think obviously Boyd would be, but TMM has shown he’s more than capable of playing 7. Still don’t know what to make of Boyd’s cryptic instagram post but I’ve been impressed with how TMM has performed consistently in nsw cup without any fuss and listening to him after the game, he’s obviously keen to stick around. He’s an experienced campaigner now and the amount of positions he can fill to a high quality is huge I think. Showed how versatile he can be furthermore by filling in at lock against the dragons

I agree that TMM should be kept around too.

Pure guesswork, but I thought TMM would have been signed for around 400-500k.
Tannah Boyd would have been cheap (200-300k), but with him being an Aussie and already getting attention from Oz, will likely be gone after 2026.

At most, it will cost us an extra 100k to keep TMM over Boyd. Again, just a guess but I think 350k per year contact with the Wahs probably makes more sense than getting $450k a year, but then having to move to Oz, new schools for kids, finding something for the Mrs to do etc. Sounds like TMM wants to stay here, and gives us a pretty decent insurance policy if one or both of our starting halves go down for an extended period.

 

[CWC]

I was expecting TMM/Metcalf with Boyd first drop and CHT 4th half, turns out CHT's been great starting and we have Metcalf/CHT and Boyd/TMM back ups, I'd keep TMM as first drop and be comfortable either TT or a junior can fill in as the 4th half if we have an injury crisis, Boyd just looks like a walking compassionate release to me

 

[juju]

I agree that TMM should be kept around too.

Pure guesswork, but I thought TMM would have been signed for around 400-500k.
Tannah Boyd would have been cheap (200-300k), but with him being an Aussie and already getting attention from Oz, will likely be gone after 2026.

At most, it will cost us an extra 100k to keep TMM over Boyd. Again, just a guess but I think 350k per year contact with the Wahs probably makes more sense than getting $450k a year, but then having to move to Oz, new schools for kids, finding something for the Mrs to do etc. Sounds like TMM wants to stay here, and gives us a pretty decent insurance policy if one or both of our starting halves go down for an extended period.

I could see Boyd leaving after this season if he doesn't get any opportunities. He's already made the cryptic post on socials and there was noise other clubs were interested.

 

[MrFrankWhite]

I could see Boyd leaving after this season if he doesn't get any opportunities. He's already made the cryptic post on socials and there was noise other clubs were interested.

I see thats fizzled out, my guess is they've told him to pipe down with 2 new clubs on the way. He'll get an offer for sure

 

[Theking267]

The problem with re-signing TMM is that his money & Boyd’s money is probably going to go to Metcalf in an extension. Metcalf’s probably on 500 you push Martin & Boyd’s money towards Metcalf 400 & 200 combine for Metcalf that’s 1.1 mill. The problem with winning is players get paid more money which means our depth won’t there by 27 & we will be relying on Cleary & Linnane as cheap backup half’s.

 

[Noitall]

I could see Boyd leaving after this season if he doesn't get any opportunities. He's already made the cryptic post on socials and there was noise other clubs were interested.

He was being viewed as a hooker for them and there’s some speculation about them being linked to Billy Walters and more recently Tallyn Da Silva too. If he gets a clearer path to first grade than here, I could see the club letting him go to pursue it. Think there’s a mutual option for next year between him and the club

 

[Tookey 2.0]

The problem with re-signing TMM is that his money & Boyd’s money is probably going to go to Metcalf in an extension. Metcalf’s probably on 500 you push Martin & Boyd’s money towards Metcalf 400 & 200 combine for Metcalf that’s 1.1 mill. The problem with winning is players get paid more money which means our depth won’t there by 27 & we will be relying on Cleary & Linnane as cheap backup half’s.

You're getting a bit ahead of yourself there fella, I think we still need to spend Tohu/SJ/Walker's money before needing to shed players to pay for LM.

I think financially (guessing of course), we're in a good spot atm.

Still have to spend the money for the above players, along with a fair few who appear on the chopping block in the next 18 months or so, with Ale, Bunty, TMM, Niukore, and Capewah all off contract. I'd even be looking at Berry's contract too, if he doesn't play 30+ games these next 2 years I'd look for better value.

Yes, we have some huuuuge upgrades coming up with Leka, Luka, Demi, Ali and co in the next few years, but imo we still have the space for a few Moneyball signings and maybe one or two big signatures.

 

[Noitall]

The problem with re-signing TMM is that his money & Boyd’s money is probably going to go to Metcalf in an extension. Metcalf’s probably on 500 you push Martin & Boyd’s money towards Metcalf 400 & 200 combine for Metcalf that’s 1.1 mill. The problem with winning is players get paid more money which means our depth won’t there by 27 & we will be relying on Cleary & Linnane as cheap backup half’s.

With TMM already being on a salary at the club and Boyd, I think it would be freeing up top 30 spots rather than financial reasons? We surely have a fair bit of money, SJ had a $600k offer on the table and Tohu and Walker would have freed up a bit. Walker reportedly on $700k and Tohu $850k+. Gannon wouldn’t commanding a huge salary and Linnane fairly low. Think the club needs to be mindful of Linnane’s injury history too before relying on him too heavily in who we don’t extend or release

 

[Theking267]

Linnane won’t play NRL next year more likely Gannon will be the backup 6. Even Boyd will likely get more game time next year. We don’t wont to fall into the trap of signing depth signings. Which Cronulla did & now only have 300k to pay Will Kennedy.

 

[Cces]

Gannon will be the backup 6

Our successful game plan this year involves both our halves making valuable contributions with the boot. Gannon has 3 kicks in his 12 games this season & didn't even put boot to ball in the game he started at Five-eighth. In the press release when he signed the quotes from McFadden repeatedly used the words backrower & forward. Maybe mid game due to injury, but I very much doubt he'd even feature on the depth chart of #6's

 

[Sammyw]

Linnane won’t play NRL next year more likely Gannon will be the backup 6. Even Boyd will likely get more game time next year. We don’t wont to fall into the trap of signing depth signings. Which Cronulla did & now only have 300k to pay Will Kennedy.

Gannon will absolutely almost certainly not be a backup 6 lol

 

[Wrighty]

He, Morgan Gannon, according to RLP has played 4 first grade games at stand off.
He most certainly will be an option for in game half coverage if required.
He hasn't played much Lock. 1 game at lock. 26 at second row. 4 at 5 8th.

 

[Tragic]

His issue is he is not the biggest guy, but man he is a weapon. Really is, mad footwork, runs a great line, good speed and is strong with a great fend. What will determine whether he will be is his defensive work I think. He has looked solid for mine, I think if he can up his defensive intensity a bit, I feel like he is pushing ahead of Laban as a backrower for me. I think he could 100% debut next year, he will need to, there is no doubt he will be gone if he is not told he will. I hope we don't lose him, other teams will be all over our 💙 Mighty NSW side as we are top and our culture is very good.

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/uyCmCff5FLI?si=qqhrnhlPM5V5j0HK

Worth watching for the pronunciation alone

 

[Falcon]

Think the club would be mad not to extend TMM. Hopefully it doesn’t happen, but it would be interesting to see if Metcalf was out who would be their backup 7. I think obviously Boyd would be, but TMM has shown he’s more than capable of playing 7. Still don’t know what to make of Boyd’s cryptic instagram post but I’ve been impressed with how TMM has performed consistently in nsw cup without any fuss and listening to him after the game, he’s obviously keen to stick around. He’s an experienced campaigner now and the amount of positions he can fill to a high quality is huge I think. Showed how versatile he can be furthermore by filling in at lock against the dragons

I can def see Boyd signing for Perth.

 

[Five&Last]

Think the club would be mad not to extend TMM. Hopefully it doesn’t happen, but it would be interesting to see if Metcalf was out who would be their backup 7. I think obviously Boyd would be, but TMM has shown he’s more than capable of playing 7. Still don’t know what to make of Boyd’s cryptic instagram post but I’ve been impressed with how TMM has performed consistently in nsw cup without any fuss and listening to him after the game, he’s obviously keen to stick around. He’s an experienced campaigner now and the amount of positions he can fill to a high quality is huge I think. Showed how versatile he can be furthermore by filling in at lock against the dragons

Jett has a top 30 contract for 2027 remember.

I think TMM is almost a certainty to be gone end of this year. They'll keep Boyd for next year as a stop gap, then him roll off end of 2026.

In an ideal world, I'd rather we let Boyd take up that offer with Cows for next year and re-sign TMM on a 1 year deal (which also gives TMM the Perth option in 2027 if he wants)

Also need to start thinking about Jack Thompson's pathway to top 30 from 2028. We should be prioritising that over thinking about TMM etc.

 

[Warriorsfan92]

Bloke in a bar made a really interesting and valid point. Clubs need to start signing their younger players on deals to avoid them getting poached by the bears, and there’s less requirement to re-sign 30+ year olds until the last minute. They won’t as be actively looking for older players, maybe some, but the priority will be talented up and comers. This instantly puts Leka, Laban, TSS, fatialofa in the front window.

With the cup doing so well, and our Harold Matt’s going back to back, we’re going to lose some. Just have to pick the right type of players to prioritise.

Guru also mentioned that Barnett should be their marquee signing.

 

[Noitall]

Jett has a top 30 contract for 2027 remember.

He needs a lot of development next year to be playing first grade in 2027 I reckon. Metcalf surely would viewed first choice halfback in 2027 with Jett backup, he needs consistent nsw cup next year even for that role I reckon