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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[Worried2Death]

You're not going anywhere Tanah Boyd, not until you've repaid us for saving you from living in Hull, you can cash in with the Bears after Webby's made a decent halfback out of you.

 

[Get them onside ref!]

That's why we can't let TMM and Boyd go yet, much harder replacing halves than wingers

Capwah another half for us

 

[Worried2Death]

Capwah another half for us

I did once briefly consider playing him on the wing instead of Kosi, but that was before Ed's heroic busted shoulder game that made us love him again.

 

[Five&Last]

Jye Linnane is unproven and still coming back from another big injury 2 ruptured ACL's in the space of 12 months I think?
Jett Cleary is unproven and I don't think has even played 💙 Mighty NSW cup yet? If he has its minimal.
Luke Hanson hasn't been overly inspiring in Cup from what I have seen. Others may have a different opinion.

2026 without Boyd and/or TMM leaves us very light in the halves IMO. It would also give us another year of development for those two you mentioned to develop and grow ready for the step up. As it is now I would be uncomfortable and not have any real confidence with Hanson, Jett or Jye playing first grade next season.

I'd keep Boyd and TMM for 1 more year each if possible

It doesn't matter whether we think he's unproven/coming back from injury or whatever, Jye Linnane will be one of the four halves next year.

Which means one of TMM or Boyd will be out the door.

 

[Inruin]

It doesn't matter whether we think he's unproven/coming back from injury or whatever, Jye Linnane will be one of the four halves next year.

Which means one of TMM or Boyd will be out the door.

Possibly

 

[Five&Last]

Possibly

Certainly. How many other clubs are carrying more than 4 halves in their top 30?

We're already carrying a specialist back up fullback in TT and 3 specialist hookers which isn't particularly normal in a top 30, so no room for TMM in a utility role.

Although tbf TT is learning wing and Lussick is learning lock.

But still there is absolutely no chance in my mind both TMM and Boyd are here next year. It will just depend on which one they choose. Ideally Boyd gets released back to Aus and they give TMM a one year extension. But if thats too difficult contractually, I would be fine with TMM going elsewhere and Boyd seeing out his contract. Neither are part of our long term plans though.

I also don't see the argument for stockpiling halves, this isn the NBA where we can actually realise that value by trading them for a 'gain'. It would just be used in an argument from managers as to why their halves player should be released. It would also just cause us issues when we have to call up Morgan Harper from Fox Memorial next year because of our outside back injury crisis.

 

[cock_o]

I don't really think Boyd will stay here long term because he will always be back up to Metcalf and CHT.
So I think the best option for the club is that he leaves at the end of this season. Then we extend TMM for 2 years. TMM great back up to Metcalf and CHT and give the young ones time to develop. Also more likely the TMM is happy where he is and will be happy to stay.

 

[Worried2Death]

I don't really think Boyd will stay here long term because he will always be back up to Metcalf and CHT.
So I think the best option for the club is that he leaves at the end of this season. Then we extend TMM for 2 years. TMM great back up to Metcalf and CHT and give the young ones time to develop. Also more likely the TMM is happy where he is and will be happy to stay.

This is the best outcome. Te Maire's not getting a better offer, what other club would let him film diving videos fending off sharks with a spear? Do the Dolphins let Hammer wrestle crocodiles on his days off? I highly doubt it.

 

[Inruin]

Certainly. How many other clubs are carrying more than 4 halves in their top 30?

We're already carrying a specialist back up fullback in TT and 3 specialist hookers which isn't particularly normal in a top 30, so no room for TMM in a utility role.

Although tbf TT is learning wing and Lussick is learning lock.

But still there is absolutely no chance in my mind both TMM and Boyd are here next year. It will just depend on which one they choose. Ideally Boyd gets released back to Aus and they give TMM a one year extension. But if thats too difficult contractually, I would be fine with TMM going elsewhere and Boyd seeing out his contract. Neither are part of our long term plans though.

I also don't see the argument for stockpiling halves, this isn the NBA where we can actually realise that value by trading them for a 'gain'. It would just be used in an argument from managers as to why their halves player should be released. It would also just cause us issues when we have to call up Morgan Harper from Fox Memorial next year because of our outside back injury crisis.

We should be carrying two fullbacks, we should be carrying at a very minimum 2 hookers, 3 hookers is about right IMO especially if one is a utility. I think we should be carrying the 4 halves we have now and Linnane for 2026, particularly with the versatility they have and the inexperience of Linnane. It's actually not far fetched. I mentioned the Roosters before. The Broncos have Reynolds, Ben Hunt, Ezra Mam, Coby Black, Jock Madden in their halves. As well as Walters, Paix and Mozer at hooker. It would hardly be a unique situation at all for us.

 

[Noitall]

I don't really think Boyd will stay here long term because he will always be back up to Metcalf and CHT.
So I think the best option for the club is that he leaves at the end of this season. Then we extend TMM for 2 years. TMM great back up to Metcalf and CHT and give the young ones time to develop. Also more likely the TMM is happy where he is and will be happy to stay.

Halves are often like front rowers in that they often peak late 20’s-early 30’s. That’s often been the case when you look at the halves going around, but the faster game is seeing some good young guys too playing well. TMM will be 30 in October and looks to me like he’s in career best form, like those players that have heaps of time. He’s had a few years out of the game so not as broken as someone his age could be and still looks fit as a fiddle. I agree regarding the 2 year extension and think there are utility values that are beneficial too

 

[Five&Last]

We should be carrying two fullbacks, we should be carrying at a very minimum 2 hookers, 3 hookers is about right IMO especially if one is a utility. I think we should be carrying the 4 halves we have now and Linnane for 2026, particularly with the versatility they have and the inexperience of Linnane. It's actually not far fetched. I mentioned the Roosters before. The Broncos have Reynolds, Ben Hunt, Ezra Mam, Coby Black, Jock Madden in their halves. As well as Walters, Paix and Mozer at hooker. It would hardly be a unique situation at all for us.

Specialist fullbacks not really. Go through most clubs their back up fullback is also their first choice center or winger.

It’s not normal for the back up fullback to not be in the 17 when you have a fully fit team. A few maybe but definitely not the majority.

Also the majority of clubs would have 2 specialist hookers not 3. But ofcourse there will be some that have 3. It’s just these things add up when considering whether you carry 5 halves.

Broncos signed Hunt after they found out they were missing Ezra Mam for half the season. Plus he’s a state of origin hooker.

 

[sballer7]

Surely before moving TMM or Boyd you would look to release Lussick. IMO hes the odd man out with the emergence of Healey, and the ability of CHT and Boyd to cover hooker. If they decide to go the utilty value route, then maybe youd hold TMM over Taine also. I guess its really going to come down to money...what is a first grade ready half worth with Perth and PNG coming in.

 

[Inruin]

Specialist fullbacks not really. Go through most clubs their back up fullback is also their first choice center or winger.

It’s not normal for the back up fullback to not be in the 17 when you have a fully fit team. A few maybe but definitely not the majority.

Also the majority of clubs would have 2 specialist hookers not 3. But ofcourse there will be some that have 3. It’s just these things add up when considering whether you carry 5 halves.

Broncos signed Hunt after they found out they were missing Ezra Mam for half the season. Plus he’s a state of origin hooker.

Some clubs have their back up fullbacks good enough to be able to play other positions in the 17 when the squad is fully fit.

My point still stands. There are enough examples, and of good teams, that do carry those types of players in their roster. There is a mix of top 30 make ups across the league with various positional weightings. It's far from unheard of.
Hunt signed in November for 2 years. Mam was suspended at the end of December. Regardless of the circumstances it leaves them with a heavy mix of halves and hookers. The Roosters are similar.

Spine players are the hardest to replace and arguably the most important to the team. With teams able to call on players outside their top 30 now it leaves them with a lot more flexibility in the squad make up.

Like I say, given Linnane coming back from injury and untested in first grade I'd be signing Boyd and TMM for 2026 if I could. It gives us great cover and plenty of options with their versatility. It wouldn't be a bizarre or unique thing in the NRL. It's a possibility.

 

[Five&Last]

Some clubs have their back up fullbacks good enough to be able to play other positions in the 17 when the squad is fully fit.

My point still stands. There are enough examples, and of good teams, that do carry those types of players in their roster. There is a mix of top 30 make ups across the league with various positional weightings. It's far from unheard of.
Hunt signed in November for 2 years. Mam was suspended at the end of December. Regardless of the circumstances it leaves them with a heavy mix of halves and hookers. The Roosters are similar.

Spine players are the hardest to replace and arguably the most important to the team. With teams able to call on players outside their top 30 now it leaves them with a lot more flexibility in the squad make up.

Like I say, given Linnane coming back from injury and untested in first grade I'd be signing Boyd and TMM for 2026 if I could. It gives us great cover and plenty of options with their versatility. It wouldn't be a bizarre or unique thing in the NRL. It's a possibility.

That was when it was announced, it was well known he was in for a lengthy suspension in November. Every Hunt signing article mentions it.

 

[Inruin]

That was when it was announced, it was well known he was in for a lengthy suspension in November. Every Hunt signing article mentions it.

And it was long reported that Hunt was going back there well before Mam got in trouble. He signed for two years. The Broncos also arent the only ones with several halves and hookers. The Roosters are another good example and rumoured to be signing DCE.

I think thus has been fairly well covered now. I'll leave it at that.

 

[Five&Last]

And it was long reported that Hunt was going back there well before Mam got in trouble. He signed for two years. The Broncos also arent the only ones with several halves and hookers. The Roosters are another good example and rumoured to be signing DCE.

I think thus has been fairly well covered now. I'll leave it at that.

Yeah but they didn't pull trigger until after the incident.

And with the Roosters, two of their halves are 19 years old so even more raw than Linanne and there's two of them.

 

[juju]

Yeah but they didn't pull trigger until after the incident.

And with the Roosters, two of their halves are 19 years old so even more raw than Linanne and there's two of them.

And the Roosters signed Chad after the Sam Walker the injury.
So some extenuating circumstances for both clubs.

However with the Warriors at the moment - with all our halves on mid tier contracts salary wise comparatively we could likely afford to do it within the cap. so its not totally far fetched but does come at the expense of a another position.

 

[Inruin]

Yeah but they didn't pull trigger until after the incident.

And with the Roosters, two of their halves are 19 years old so even more raw than Linanne and there's two of them.

Three roosters halves are 22-23 years old in Savala, Walker, Smith and Chad is the old man out at 34 who ironically they signed on a 1 year deal. Sounds like a good plan we could follow.

 

[Five&Last]

Three roosters halves are 22-23 years old in Savala, Walker, Smith and Chad is the old man out at 34 who ironically they signed on a 1 year deal. Sounds like a good plan we could follow.

Savala isn’t top 30

Rodwell and Elliot are the two 19 year olds in their top 30. Those two plus Walker, Smith and Chad are their 5 halves.

Walker is out for the year so they need the fifth half for that alone. Ignoring the fact that two of their halves were playing SG ball last year.

I would actually go against the grain and say they are one of the more under equipped teams this year for halves in their top 30

 

[Inruin]

Savala isn’t top 30

Rodwell and Elliot are the two 19 year olds in their top 30. Those two plus Walker, Smith and Chad are their 5 halves.

Walker is out for the year so they need the fifth half for that alone. Ignoring the fact that two of their halves were playing SG ball last year.

I would actually go against the grain and say they are one of the more under equipped teams this year for halves in their top 30

He is on a development contract, They have 5 halves (with DCE rumoured to be on the way for two years to replace Chad) and another on a development contract. So we would have the same with Jett on a development contract if we signed Boyd and TMM to a one year extension. Sounds good to me.