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, Freddy Lussick, Luke Metcalf, Marata Niukore, Taine Tuaupiki, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

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[run_it_str8_again]

That is 100% the case in club land. It's the connection with family and friends that can make the difference. JFH, Blair, Tohu, SJ all perfect examples. Bunty made it clear he wanted to stay in NZ as well when they gave him the option to play in reserve grade or look elsewhere a few seasons ago. But for the most part the lure of guaranteed first grade for an emerging player is why they wouldn't care if it's Canberra or Townsville.

Good points. Also if you are young and are planning a career, you might end up at any number of clubs during a career.

 

[CWC]

Good points. Also if you are young and are planning a career, you might end up at any number of clubs during a career.

If they're smart once they identify and keep the top guns, keep an eye on the ones that had to leave, and lure them back with family connections if some of them become big names.

 

[Dangerous]

If they're smart once they identify and keep the top guns, keep an eye on the ones that had to leave, and lure them back with family connections if some of them become big names.

I wouldn't mind getting Iro back from the Sharks !!! He's a gun

 

[Riz]

I wouldn't mind getting Iro back from the Sharks !!! He's a gun

Iro / Mariner combo

 

[Get them onside ref!]

Iro / Mariner combo

Beat the Sharks in couple weeks!
Lose to them
KI off surfing

 

[watcher]

I mean it doesn't take a genius to realise they got that one wrong choosing Harper.

Not that important though, given next year the plan probably doesn't involve either, likely promoting Kali or Moimoi to take Harper's spot.

To be fair when he was sifned there was a lot of outside back i juries and we needed someone

 

[Wrighty]

To be fair when he was sifned there was a lot of outside back i juries and we needed someone

There is a very real chance he, Harper, may be needed in a play off game, if injuries strike.

 

[3rdstriker]

Good interviews with Luke Metcalf while it would be good to resign him before November the 1st, it also would be good to give him more time to bed himself in and see if he remains injury free.

Metcalf: Really pleased to see Capes lead us out this week

Luke Metcalf on Kurt Capewell as captain and contracts for Leka Halasima and Jacob Laban.

www.warriors.kiwi

 

[Noitall]

Good interviews with Luke Metcalf while it would be good to resign him before November the 1st, it also would be good to give him more time to bed himself in and see if he remains injury free.

Metcalf: Really pleased to see Capes lead us out this week

Luke Metcalf on Kurt Capewell as captain and contracts for Leka Halasima and Jacob Laban.

www.warriors.kiwi

Having been through his own adversity in regards to injuries over the years, he’ll be a good influence on the incoming Jye Linnane who’s had his own issues. Just might be handy to pass on what’s worked and what hasn’t in trying to identify and overcome the causes. Metcalf also mentions there’s been no discussions with other teams, you’d like to think there’s an idea of whether he’s seen as the halfback they’re throwing all their chips behind. Both he and CHT are both signed for next year at this rate, but both seem to be important in the combination they’ve developed and seem to complement each other

 

[John Nick]

Having been through his own adversity in regards to injuries over the years, he’ll be a good influence on the incoming Jye Linnane who’s had his own issues. Just might be handy to pass on what’s worked and what hasn’t in trying to identify and overcome the causes. Metcalf also mentions there’s been no discussions with other teams, you’d like to think there’s an idea of whether he’s seen as the halfback they’re throwing all their chips behind. Both he and CHT are both signed for next year at this rate, but both seem to be important in the combination they’ve developed and seem to complement each other

Shhh. Lol

 

[Cces]

If you include 💙 Mighty NSW Cup & preseason, it'll be the 18th straight game for Metcalf tomorrow. How many does he need to string together before the apprehension about his hammy disappears when considering an extension?

 

[KPWarrior]

Good interviews with Luke Metcalf while it would be good to resign him before November the 1st, it also would be good to give him more time to bed himself in and see if he remains injury free.

Metcalf: Really pleased to see Capes lead us out this week

Luke Metcalf on Kurt Capewell as captain and contracts for Leka Halasima and Jacob Laban.

www.warriors.kiwi

Very level headed young man, seems to understand exactly where he is and where we're at as a club and how quickly things can change.

I know anything can happen but he seems to be enjoying his footy here, I'm not getting compassionate release vibes.

 

[CWC]

Probably feeing better here without all the Sydney circus while we will likely match market value for him. Like the criticisms here is nothing compared to the media scrutiny there, nobody read them here anyway

Plus Webby is a young dad too, Lussick etc, good support group for Aussie bubs, go to same kindies lol

 

[MrFrankWhite]

Very level headed young man, seems to understand exactly where he is and where we're at as a club and how quickly things can change.

I know anything can happen but he seems to be enjoying his footy here, I'm not getting compassionate release vibes.

I liked how enthusiastic he was about Leka and Laban getting extended. Surely a nerd like him is considering roster and prem chances. Plus he's the man here, its his ship. That may not be the case if he moves. Other egos, other super stars.

 

[KPWarrior]

I liked how enthusiastic he was about Leka and Laban getting extended. Surely a nerd like him is considering roster and prem chances. Plus he's the man here, its his ship. That may not be the case if he moves. Other egos, other super stars.

That's gotta be a huge drawcard as well! His combo with CHT, the youth coming through, and the leadership we have, it's pretty much all set up for him if he can remain fit, and I think the club are on top of managing that.

 

[CWC]

That's gotta be a huge drawcard as well! His combo with CHT, the youth coming through, and the leadership we have, it's pretty much all set up for him if he can remain fit, and I think the club are on top of managing that.

Would love to see some physio or medical team news, the current team has been on fire. “Dr Frankenstein extended for another 5 years, continue to fix players ahead of schedule”

 

[KPWarrior]

Would love to see some physio or medical team news, the current team has been on fire. “Dr Frankenstein extended for another 5 years, continue to fix players ahead of schedule”

I'm loving the way the club manages to keep everything under wraps these days, might be frustrating at times, but jeez they know how to spring one on us too.

 

[Five&Last]

Metcalf also mentions there’s been no discussions with other teams

There would be major investigations taking place if he said he had lol

I think we'd be naive to think he won't test his value come November.

He's already 26 and is a late bloomer that doesn't have much career earnings to show for himself.

The halves market is massively over-inflated and Australia is his home.

Some Australian team is going to throw the bank at him if he stays near the top of the Dally M ladder and we keep winning.

tl;dr I'd be shocked if we work out an extension before 1 November and I don't think we're going to get our 'warriors tax' removed just because he's lived her the past 3 years

 

[sydneywarrior92]

Don't think money is the draw for him. Probably wants to win a premiership and be around a successful club. So struggling Sydney clubs with halves issues (ie Dragons and Tigers, etc) can try throwing millions at him but I doubt he'd be tempted if he's going to be the fall guy for their failures. Look at what the Tigers did to Brooks, Moses, Galvin, etc. Took years out of their careers and stunted their development.

LM is learning under a great coach in Webby and another great half (the original SJ). There is a path to a future premiership here if he sticks around. If he ends up being the 7 that guides us to our maiden premiership, he'll surpass SJ (both of them) as our greatest ever halfback. That'll be infinitely worth more than copping weekly abuse at an unsuccessful Sydney club even if he could earn more back home.

There would be major investigations taking place if he said he had lol

I think we'd be naive to think he won't test his value come November.

He's already 26 and is a late bloomer that doesn't have much career earnings to show for himself.

The halves market is massively over-inflated and Australia is his home.

Some Australian team is going to throw the bank at him if he stays near the top of the Dally M ladder and we keep winning.

tl;dr I'd be shocked if we work out an extension before 1 November and I don't think we're going to get our 'warriors tax' removed just because he's lived her the past 3 years

 

[Five&Last]

Don't think money is the draw for him

That is some serious copium