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	-	✔	✔	✔
-	Haizyn Mellars	✔	✔	✔
-	Motu Pasikala	T	?	?

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

Top 30 2026: 29/30
Supplementary 2026: 1/6

2026 Gains: Morgan Gannon (Leeds Rhinos), Haizyn Mellars (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
2026 Losses: Edward Kosi (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

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

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[cock_o]

Warriors need to target a centre and at least 2 wingers for next season

They have 3 good centres signed for next year.
Adam Pompey.
Rocco Berry.
Ali Leiataua.
If they were to sign a center that's better they would have to pay big dollars, which would unbalance the salary cap.
Then the flow on effect would be at some stage they might have to then lose a promising up and coming junior because they have spent to much $$$ at centre.

 

[bomb to vats]

They have 3 good centres signed for next year.
Adam Pompey.
Rocco Berry.
Ali Leiataua.
If they were to sign a center that's better they would have to pay big dollars, which would unbalance the salary cap.
Then the flow on effect would be at some stage they might have to then lose a promising up and coming junior because they have spent to much $$$ at centre.

Wingers!

 

[peewee]

In reality, it seems unlikely that his injury misfortune isn’t a real possibility to continue, so it’s hard to know what both parties have in their minds? Might be harsh off just his second game at the club, but there were real signs yesterday of Boyd looking shaky in important moments, something that Metcalf has relished. TMM is also in and around but perhaps only viewed as a 14 going forward and also potentially lacks the kicking game necessary? I do like Metcalf but I think if salary is too far apart between both parties given his misfortunes, we may need someone until who we view as our next halves are ready? Also Linnane arriving, but has his own medical history and could be more of a 6?

Dont make me laugh.
Boyd kicked the conversions to put us in the position we were, to win the game.
Metcalf might be cool headed, BUT would he of had us the same position at the end.
The way he has been kicking, I doubt it

 

[kos]

Heres the full article for the above

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The Warriors have launched a trans-Tasman assault on the Broncos after setting up a poaching program in the region that produced Queensland legend Cameron Smith.

The New Zealand NRL club will on Monday announce the creation of a new training academy and community program in Logan – one of rugby league’s most fertile breeding grounds.

Future NRL Immortal Smith emerged from Brisbane’s southern hub to forge one of the game’s greatest careers with Melbourne, Queensland and the Kangaroos.

Maroons enforcer Josh Papalii is another Logan junior who was pounced on by the Raiders and is now Canberra’s most-capped player (322 NRL games).

Now Brisbane is facing a fresh recruitment threat from the growing Warriors, who are formally extending their reach across the ditch and targeting a region that’s already under assault from the Gold Coast Titans.

Warriors CEO Cameron George said the club would base permanent staff in Logan to oversee the operation in the hope of signing the game’s best young talent.

“As a club, we focus on the person first and foremost,” he said.

“It’s not just about footy – it’s about providing opportunities to all young people so they can reach their potential.

“Our elite academy for boys and girls in Logan will provide a direct pathway to the New Zealand Warriors NRL and NRLW teams.

“Through the community program we’ll also be offering come-and-try days, school visits and talent identification.”

The Broncos long had renowned talent scout Brian ‘Pinky’ Edwards spotting talent in the Logan area, signing the likes of David Fifita and Ezra Mam.

Brisbane legend Corey Parker is also a Logan junior.

The Broncos have targeted New Zealand in recent years, signing the likes of Jordan Riki, Xavier Willison and Deine Mariner from the Warriors’ home.

The Warriors snared Broncos sensation Reece Walsh in 2021 briefly and are now coming back to Brisbane for more.

The Warriors are going all-out on Logan, with the academy to offer elite training and talent identification programs as well as support for career opportunities outside football.

Logan City Council will provide the Warriors with access to fields and office space as part of the partnership.

The Broncos have already got fierce competition from the Dolphins and Titans in South East Queensland and Logan Mayor Jon Raven said the Warriors were moving into the region strongly.

“So many league legends have come from Logan and we’re thrilled to welcome the Warriors to our city to nurture more NRL stars of the future,” he said.

“Logan is the leading rugby league nursery in the nation and has one of the largest populations of people of New Zealand and Pacific Island descent outside of Auckland.

“The Warriors are known for their strong community connections and supporting development opportunities for young people, which are values we love here in Logan – the youngest, most diverse and fastest growing city in Queensland.”

The Warriors will make an appearance for a fan day and captain’s run at Logan Metro Sports Park in Browns Plains on August 22 ahead of their round 25 match against the Titans on the Gold Coast.

We await the return fire announcement of a Broncos academy training facility at Manurewa.

 

[cock_o]

Wingers!

Also they have spent money on RTS and DWZ for next year.
Hopefully Kosi is not resigned and they get a good winger to take his spot in the roster.
Sio Kali looking good in NSW cup.
But don't expect them to go out and recruit a couple of $800,000/year wingers.

 

[Noitall]

Dont make me laugh.
Boyd kicked the conversions to put us in the position we were, to win the game.
Metcalf might be cool headed, BUT would he of had us the same position at the end.
The way he has been kicking, I doubt it

Would probably have Tuaupiki or Pompey kicking with that team we fielded if Metcalf was playing. Can’t deny his his goal kicking was far from adequate but I’m not sure why we persisted with it either rather than try someone else when he was having a poor success rate. That doesn’t change though that he’s shown he has the temperament twice in narrow victories to win us the game to go with try saving tackles to win us the game. Metcalf was leading dally m votes until he picked an injury, Boyd currently sits as a player too good for nsw cup and a depth player which is what he is to the club currently

 

[CWC]

Hard to tell about Metcalf as he nailed a sideline conversion early in the broncos game before he hurt himself, dude improves 1 department at a time and goal kicking might have been the box to tick off that week....

 

[Sammyw]

They have 3 good centres signed for next year.
Adam Pompey.
Rocco Berry.
Ali Leiataua.
If they were to sign a center that's better they would have to pay big dollars, which would unbalance the salary cap.
Then the flow on effect would be at some stage they might have to then lose a promising up and coming junior because they have spent to much $$$ at centre.

objectively, Berry and Leiatau while talented, can't stay on the pitch. if the opportunity arises to sign a top center i am absolutely taking it.

 

[Bevosa]

Watching Gagai on the weekend, I would be all in on a 2-year contract for him, he is far from done.

 

[Rick O’Shay]

Watching Gagai on the weekend, I would be all in on a 2-year contract for him, he is far from done.

Can't agree mate, his defence is pretty poor. Got stepped real bad by a second rower on the weekend

 

[Bevosa]

Can't agree mate, his defence is pretty poor. Got stepped real bad by a second rower on the weekend

Pretty sure he could barely walk at that stage of the game.

 

[Rick O’Shay]

Pretty sure he could barely walk at that stage of the game.

Tongue in cheek mate and yes he is a very good player

 

[Fowardpass]

Jeez watching the Luke Metcalf interview on Fox. I appreciate it's maybe edited (and I sure as hell hope I'm wrong), but he's gone based on that. How much he loves Australia, how tough it is for his partner uprooting her life to love there. How much he wants to play origin and for Australia.

Compassion leave again
Will keep happening
Till we find someone
JetWAH Cleary may just be that guy
Has always loved the club
Wants to play for the club
His words not mine

 

[Fowardpass]

objectively, Berry and Leiatau while talented, can't stay on the pitch. if the opportunity arises to sign a top center i am absolutely taking it.

Good is right description of those centres
Not game breakers

 

[Fowardpass]

We await the return fire announcement of a Broncos academy training facility at Manurewa.

Don’t agree with that decision by club
You won’t find many players in that area
That will put Warriors before Broncos
To play for!
The Aussies will always go home
Fact
Especially if Wahs have poor year

 

[Blain]

Don’t agree with that decision by club
You won’t find many players in that area
That will put Warriors before Broncos
To play for!
The Aussies will always go home
Fact
Especially if Wahs have poor year

I was thinking about this. The Broncos will always get the top talent available, always have always will. But the amount of QLD talent spread throughout the league shows that there is more than enough young players in the game in Brisbane that even 2nd, 3rd or 4th best talent can become NRL players or even stars. At young age groups no talent is certain to make it or not.

I see Logan is south Brisbane, close to Robbos base in the GC. Guys like Campion live there who are on the books, so a small base probably isn't that hard to set up. Get a Isaac Luke involved and you're half way there.

Being close to the GC, which is infested with Kiwis, it ticks a few boxes. How much we will get out of it will be interesting, I would have thought we have enough talent local with the odd Thompson/Norris in the mix is enough.

 

[Bevosa]

Don’t agree with that decision by club
You won’t find many players in that area
That will put Warriors before Broncos
To play for!
The Aussies will always go home
Fact
Especially if Wahs have poor year

It's a Lower-class area, has a large expat NZ community. If you're going to do this in Australia it's probably one of the best areas you could choose. Time will tell, I guess.

 

[kos]

It's a Lower-class area, has a large expat NZ community. If you're going to do this in Australia it's probably one of the best areas you could choose. Time will tell, I guess.

There was a piece on 9 Tv news and 2 ABC News last night about it.
CG said they had been invited by Logan city council -they had other opportunitis on the East Coast before which they declined.
The actual base will be at a council facility at Browns Plains -now Browns Plains and its adjacent suburbs are home to a high number of ex pat kiwis some priced out of the Gc by over exorbitant real estate.
Time will tell as you say.
Cartainly Campion is in the wider area and I think also the real Mark Tookey.

I just wonder if the Bronco s will attack in NZ with a similar set up negating overall success of this iniative.

 

[Playdaball]

Logan = Bogan (nickname)

 

[Leon Black]

In grade he seemed a bit up and down, running straight at defenders like he’s huge. I’d rather have Taine atm, but chevy’s very young, he could turn out to be a real talent.
He’s young and he’s quick with a good attitude. 3 boxes ticked

He couldn’t catch a cold in one of his first-grade appearances against the Broncos last season, from memory. After TT’s performances over the past fortnight — and with his ability to throw a slick cut-out pass (he was robbed when it was called forward) — it’s clear he should be our no.1.

But the real future No.1 might just be Jeremiah Lemana, who was playing Harold Matts this season. Massive talent. TT’s speed is also highly underrated and his defensive smarts at fullback is streets ahead of CNK.