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	Jett Cleary	✔	S	S
9	Wayde Egan	✔	✔	✔
10	James Fisher-Harris	✔	✔	✔	✔
11	Jackson Ford	✔	✔	✔
12	Leka Halasima	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
13	Morgan Harper	✔
14	Chanel Harris-Tavita	✔	✔
15	Sam Healey	✔	✔	✔
16	Edward Kosi	✔
17	Jacob Laban	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
18	Ali Leiataua	✔	✔	✔
19	Jye Linnane	✔	✔	✔	✔
20	Freddy Lussick	✔	✔
21	Te Maire Martin	✔
22	Luke Metcalf	✔	✔
23	Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad	✔	✔	✔
24	Marata Niukore	✔	✔
25	Adam Pompey	✔	✔	✔
26	Tanner Stowers-Smith	✔	✔	✔
27	Taine Tuaupiki	✔	✔
28	Roger Tuivasa-Sheck	✔	✔
29	Demitric Vaimauga	✔	✔	✔	✔
30	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
-	Morgan Gannon	-	✔	✔	✔
-	Motu Pasikala	T	?	?

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

Top 30 2025: 30/30
Supplementary 2025: 6/6

Top 30 2026: 26/30
Supplementary 2026: 1/6

2026 Gains: Morgan Gannon (Leeds Rhinos)
2026 Losses: Nil

Off Contract: Bunty Afoa, Tom Ale, Morgan Harper, Edward Kosi, Te Maire Martin
Can negotiate with other clubs from Nov 1, 2025 (Entering final year) : Rocco Berry, Tanah Boyd, Kurt Capewell, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Freddy Lussick, Luke Metcalf, Marata Niukore, Taine Tuaupiki, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

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[Bevosa]

I regards to Metcalf: if I was a 26-year-old NRL player with a new baby, and I had just had my legs smashed to pieces for a second year in a row, I would go wherever I could earn the most money, I would probably take less money per year if it ended up more overall with a longer contract.

 

[Brightman]

I regards to Metcalf: if I was a 26-year-old NRL player with a new baby, and I had just had my legs smashed to pieces for a second year in a row, I would go wherever I could earn the most money, I would probably take less money per year if it ended up more overall with a longer contract.

Sweet, so how did that work out for half of Gus Gould's recruits to Penrith or Canterbury-Bankstown over the last 8 years..

I wonder how Mahoney is feeling, sometimes the grass isn't always greener on the other side..

 

[sup42]

There’s no way Metcalf takes a 1 year extension, when he was leading the dally m votes before injury & has a huge ceiling, with other clubs entering the nrl desperate for a 7. It’ll be 2 years minimum, or he’ll walk. An acl is a freak injury, not a hammy, or recurring. Yes he’s snapped it before, but if you look at the mechanism of injury, it’s just pure bad luck. He needs to be retained for us to be any real threat of a premiership & he’s a priority.

2 year extension on 800k I think is fair for all parties. I’d go higher if we need to, to get him over the line. Hes settled here, we gave him an opportunity when no one would & has improved dramatically under webby.

I regards to Metcalf: if I was a 26-year-old NRL player with a new baby, and I had just had my legs smashed to pieces for a second year in a row, I would go wherever I could earn the most money, I would probably take less money per year if it ended up more overall with a longer contract.

I think people keep forgetting that one of the major drivers for Metcalf to stay has been taken away i.e. the 'high' of playing week in week out as the star player for the club and the buzz of being part of the Warriors dream in the daily gratification sense.

There is an immediacy that comes from running out every weekend that just isn't there anymore (till next year). Metcalf knows full well that a top four season is special and isn't guaranteed.

The guy has nothing but time on his hands, time to think, evaluate, talk with his supports.
I keep reading people framing this as the club being in the box seat (I was one who advocated that position a lot too, but that was while he was playing/status active) the calculus has changed, the Warriors will need to change with it.

• These Maxims of Warrior Lore are Universal and underpin all the talk:
• It is impossible to get a Dally M candidate Australian half to the Warriors unless they were developed within the Warriors system with maximum incentives to stay
• Any Australian can walk out the door tomorrow - it is called compassionate release, and the Warriors have shown they will only contest a portion of the season that the player is playing when the release is requested, because they cannot afford to play hard ball beyond that. Ergo if the Warriors do not approach the deal in good faith and put their best foot forward they will sour the vibe for Metcalf and might as well stick their eight hundred K where the sun doesn't shine, because a unhappy Metcalf is a compassionate release in waiting.
• If the Warriors were to somehow attract a Dally M candidate from Australia to play number seven, a top in form Australian half, in the frame for SOO, then the bidding starts at 2 million dollars a season....because...geography....thirty years of evidence, hopefully 3 decades of lesson learned.

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

I think people keep forgetting that one of the major drivers for Metcalf to stay has been taken away i.e. the 'high' of playing week in week out as the star player for the club and the buzz of being part of the Warriors dream in the daily gratification sense.

There is an immediacy that comes from running out every weekend that just isn't there anymore (till next year).

The guy has nothing but time on his hands, time to think, evaluate, talk with his supports.
I keep reading people framing this as the club being in the box seat (I was one who advocated that position a lot too, but that was while he was playing/status active) the calculus has changed, the Warriors will need to change with it.

• These Maxims of Warrior Lore are Universal and underpin all the talk:
• It is impossible to get a Dally M candidate Australian half to the Warriors unless they were developed within the Warriors system with maximum incentives to stay
• Any Australian can walk out the door tomorrow - it is called compassionate release, and the Warriors have shown they will only contest a portion of the season that the player is playing when the release is requested, because they cannot afford to play hard ball beyond that. Ergo if the Warriors do not approach the deal in good faith and put their best foot forward they will sour the vibe for Metcalf and might as well stick their eight hundred K where the sun doesn't shine, because a unhappy Metcalf is a gone Metcalf.
• If the Warriors were to somehow attract a Dally M candidate from Australia to play number seven, a top in form Australian half, in the frame for SOO, then the bidding starts at 2 million dollars a season.

Does the individuals talent lead to competition wide recognition or does the team success, coaching, structure and winning football make a player look good.

Chicken or egg?

SJ generally aced it under Webster (when not injured); TMM looked legendary when taking over, Metcalf has looked a world beater and I back Boyd to look like the missing piece as well when he gets a chance.

Websters platform makes our halves look good.

 

[Noitall]

Does the individuals talent lead to competition wide recognition or does the team success, coaching, structure and winning football make a player look good.

Chicken or egg?

SJ generally aced it under Webster (when not injured); TMM looked legendary when taking over, Metcalf has looked a world beater and I back Boyd to look like the missing piece as well when he gets a chance.

Websters platform makes our halves look good.

Rather than Webster’s platform, I think it’s still the forwards that lay the platform for the halves, why the last couple of games have kept ours quiet. The model Webster plays, much like the panthers also has outside backs with a big workload so forwards can use their energy in other areas. If these groups get it right, the halves have a huge platform to play off

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Speaking of halves, go watch Jack Thompson's highlights from today in Jersey Flegg. Kid is an absolute freak. He's leveling up going from U17 to U21 in one year. Trying to think of the last halves prospect we've had on this kid's level, more talented than SJ at the same age I would say.

I believe hes the best halves prospect at the club right now! I hope it Thompson at 7 and Cleary at 6.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

New signing Linnane joins club early ahead of 2026 preseason

Jye Linnane joins One New Zealand Warriors early ahead of taking up three-year NRL contract.

www.warriors.kiwi

Just on the subject of whether Linnane has grabbed a top 30 spot for this year, this article posted 2 days ago on the Warriors site says he has arrived early "ahead of taking up a three-year NRL contract from next season."

I am not sure if that's quite conclusive but it definitely reads more like he doesn't enter the top 30 until next season.

Far out! If hes in the top 30 then there is now way Hanson gets a top 30 right!?

 

[JustVisiting82]

Far out! If hes in the top 30 then there is now way Hanson gets a top 30 right!?

Well I guess probably not before 2027 anyway? All of CHT, Metcalf, and Boyd are currently off contract then (and Jett Clearly enters the top 30 that year) so I guess it depends a bit on plans with other players. I personally don't get to watch cup beyond the highlights so I am not up with how he is tracking anyway.

 

[Blain]

Far out! If hes in the top 30 then there is now way Hanson gets a top 30 right!?

He's not in the top 30 this year, only has been confirmed for next year as top 30. Probably on a development deal, or just paid out by the Knights so we pay for his continued rehab.

Hanson won't be top 30 next season. Development deal at most. Linnane will be taking TMM's spot you would assume.

 

[Dannevegas]

Brandon Norris and Sio Kali considering he stays injury free, should be seriously considered for top grade next season.
For people saying they’re too young, look at Laybutt and Purdue both teenagers, and there’s plenty more.

Something like this would be exciting

Tauapiki
Tuivasa-scheck
Kali-CNK
Leiataua
Norris-Kali

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Brandon Norris and Sio Kali considering he stays injury free, should be seriously considered for top grade next season.
For people saying they’re too young, look at Laybutt and Purdue both teenagers, and there’s plenty more.

Something like this would be exciting

Tauapiki
Tuivasa-scheck
Kali-CNK
Leiataua
Norris-Kali

In theory yes but they will take thier sweet time! Get Norris in the cup team ASAP!

Over Setu Tu!

 

[Cces]

For people saying they’re too young, look at Laybutt and Purdue both teenagers, and there’s plenty more.

Laybutt is 23, debuted at 21 though. I agree that age, particularly for a Winger, shouldn't be a factor in selection

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Get Blake Wilson over here already cappy!

 

[CWC]

Just thinking over the Gagai rumors, he might be a genius signing, he’s on $400K and looking for a last finance deal, we have way too much cash and pushing more players out, we can lure him for $600K for 2 years, he’s got good health, can elevate our young and fragile centres and leave at the right time, he might not want to move the young family but a 50% payrise for an OE and his kids are not at the real learning age yet

 

[Warriorsfan92]

Just thinking over the Gagai rumors, he might be a genius signing, he’s on $400K and looking for a last finance deal, we have way too much cash and pushing more players out, we can lure him for $600K for 2 years, he’s got good health, can elevate our young and fragile centres and leave at the right time, he might not want to move the young family but a 50% payrise for an OE and his kids are not at the real learning age yet

What rumours were they? I havent heard

 

[Noitall]

Just thinking over the Gagai rumors, he might be a genius signing, he’s on $400K and looking for a last finance deal, we have way too much cash and pushing more players out, we can lure him for $600K for 2 years, he’s got good health, can elevate our young and fragile centres and leave at the right time, he might not want to move the young family but a 50% payrise for an OE and his kids are not at the real learning age yet

That’s why I’m seeing him as a good option opposed to Farnworth on $850k a season and locked up for 2026. Farnworth no doubt the better player but feel like Gagai could be handy for our needs

 

[Worried2Death]

Just thinking over the Gagai rumors, he might be a genius signing, he’s on $400K and looking for a last finance deal, we have way too much cash and pushing more players out, we can lure him for $600K for 2 years, he’s got good health, can elevate our young and fragile centres and leave at the right time, he might not want to move the young family but a 50% payrise for an OE and his kids are not at the real learning age yet

Captaining the māori team meant a lot to him this year, his kids are the right age to connect with his mum's heritage, why not. If you don't do it now Dane, mum says you're dumb.

 

[Dannevegas]

Just thinking over the Gagai rumors, he might be a genius signing, he’s on $400K and looking for a last finance deal, we have way too much cash and pushing more players out, we can lure him for $600K for 2 years, he’s got good health, can elevate our young and fragile centres and leave at the right time, he might not want to move the young family but a 50% payrise for an OE and his kids are not at the real learning age yet

Sweet, if our squad wasn’t old enough already now we can a 40 year old.

He would be our best centre thou depending Ali gets through these injury’s.

 

[Worried2Death]

Sweet, if our squad wasn’t old enough already now we can a 40 year old.

He would be our best centre thou depending Ali gets through these injury’s.

I swear if Rocco picks up another long term injury tonight I'll be on my knees to Gagai. If he still says no, ahh let's just get Hiku back. But seriously, hope Ali is the future.

 

[Dannevegas]

I swear if Rocco picks up another long term injury tonight I'll be on my knees to Gagai. If he still says no, ahh let's just get Hiku back. But seriously, hope Ali is the future.

If Hiku was on our roster I’d probly have him first picked centre tbh. Made our prop wings look like rockstars.