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: Edward Kosi (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

Off Contract: Bunty Afoa, Tom Ale, Morgan Harper, 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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[Inruin]

See I look at it the other way - people are getting defensive about offering him an injury impacted contract value despite the reality that he’s going to market in a few months as the number 1 halves option with a new club joining the comp in 2027. What it really comes down to is do you want to resign Metcalf or not. Those suggesting around a ~$700k contract clearly don’t - and perhaps that’s the discussion as opposed to what he’s worth because I can guarantee he’s going to sign somewhere for well above $700k.

Might be also that the length of his next contract might be a sticking point. I'm in the camp of I don't think he is as good as many think (at 7) and he is very injury prone. Do we have anyone else to fill the gap while others develop and get up to speed though? The answer is clearly no at this point. So, you are right, he will get more than $700k more than likely but would you risk signing him for more than another 2 years?

 

[Brightman]

Beggars can't be choosers, right now we can choose to make Metcalf an offer he's likely to accept and so I trust the club to know how best to progress..

 

[Mr. Brownstone]

Might be also that the length of his next contract might be a sticking point. I'm in the camp of I don't think he is as good as many think (at 7) and he is very injury prone. Do we have anyone else to fill the gap while others develop and get up to speed though? The answer is clearly no at this point. So, you are right, he will get more than $700k more than likely but would you risk signing him for more than another 2 years?

As my buddy @Defence made the point, our advantage is we can upgrade him for 2026. So I’d do that and add 2-3 years on top.

 

[Blain]

I think the fact that Metcalf is a young, handsome, affluent, white family man would come into account during his negotiation's, he is the face of the club and super marketable, sponsors love that, probably worth millions alone to the club.

This is 100% correct. We will pay him a million, and he will stay only if he wants to. It wont be about money, because there will be other clubs who will offer the same if not more.

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

Think there’s a lot for Metcalf to weigh up in this set of contract negotiations because he’s not young and it’s anyone’s guess as to the longevity of his career with the amount of injuries he’s incurred, another payday might not happen. Find it funny the amount of people getting defensive about his salary value, but they don’t seem to be realistic that he can’t stay on the field

This is make or break time for Metcalf. Injury prone, old, and inexperienced but with the ‘was the Daly M leader’ and coming off some hot form.

If he doesn’t cash in this contract, he could never cash in come next contract.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Those of you suggesting $700k - might as well make no offer because the chances of Metcalf resigning for that are zero. Geez didn’t we offer Braden Hamlin Uele $2.2m over 3 seasons? You guys are suggesting the Warriors would have been prepared to offer a fringe first grade prop who almost never plays more coin a year ago than what we would look to extend Metcalf on from 2027? Read this slowly - YOU ARE DREAMING.

Have fun watching your 1 million dollar player posting on Instagram from the recovery room.

He looks a million bucks for sure!

 

[Mr. Brownstone]

Have fun watching your 1 million dollar player posting on Instagram from the recovery room.

He looks a million bucks for sure!

Sorry Bang Bro (wtf) let’s agree to disagree

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Sorry Bang Bro (wtf) let’s agree to disagree

Yeah bro!

 

[Noitall]

See I look at it the other way - people are getting defensive about offering him an injury impacted contract value despite the reality that he’s going to market in a few months as the number 1 halves option with a new club joining the comp in 2027. What it really comes down to is do you want to resign Metcalf or not. Those suggesting around a ~$700k contract clearly don’t - and perhaps that’s the discussion as opposed to what he’s worth because I can guarantee he’s going to sign somewhere for well above $700k.

I don’t see it as not offering him big money as a sign of wanting him or not and think the risk is the reason for people’s apprehension regarding salary. I think most see him as a million dollar player when on the field, but reality is he’s missed a lot of games and I think as much as he needs to consider his future, he needs to consider the strain it puts on the club too. You referenced Louis Dodd and the salary he was paid, but that’s the risk you take. Our risk could potentially be we pay Metcalf a million a season and the same injury impacted seasons continue, but again that’s the risk taken. I actually think Dodd will do alright at the right club and expecting him to kill it in his first season was a big ask in that position, though the salary is main issue I think. Again though with risk, for all we know Gannon might not crossover from super league successfully?

 

[Cces]

On the SOO income, my understanding is SOO match fees aren't included under the salary cap, but as an incentive some players receive bonuses if they get selected.
If match fees were then there would be the possibility that a team who begin the season better than expected, & get unexpected SOO call ups, goes over the cap. That'd essentially be a deterrent to having NSW or QLD eligible players on your roster

 

[John Nick]

I don’t see it as not offering him big money as a sign of wanting him or not and think the risk is the reason for people’s apprehension regarding salary. I think most see him as a million dollar player when on the field, but reality is he’s missed a lot of games and I think as much as he needs to consider his future, he needs to consider the strain it puts on the club too. You referenced Louis Dodd and the salary he was paid, but that’s the risk you take. Our risk could potentially be we pay Metcalf a million a season and the same injury impacted seasons continue, but again that’s the risk taken. I actually think Dodd will do alright at the right club and expecting him to kill it in his first season was a big ask in that position, though the salary is main issue I think. Again though with risk, for all we know Gannon might not crossover from super league successfully?

All good points & yes there is a risk of course.
All comes down to which club including ours is prepared to take the biggest risk.
Hope it works out best for us & Luke,

 

[Old Sid]

Thinking about integrity here, LM does not need to do anything until towards the end of next season. If he is confident of coming back big time, then why doesn't he back himself and say he's not signing anywhere right now because he believes his value is much higher and therefore is prepared to wait, determined to prove the injury naysayers wrong by being on the park and performing over and above for 20+ games in 2026?

To me, pushing for a big deal now (assuming he or his manager actually is) indicates he's not so certain and wants this years #7 highlights reel from actually only a handful of games to determine his value for the next 3-4 years. Doesn't strike me as high on the integrity scale, even though folks will say it's only a business and he has his family to look after. I'd say we've probably got under or close to current value from him for the past 2 seasons on a per-game basis.

Don't forget, uncertainty around any player availability, in this case a spine player in particular costs the club as they have to have a decent replacement which likely affects their performance and results too.

No doubt it's a huge risk for any club to offer big money now. But some will.

 

[MrFrankWhite]

If he is confident of coming back big time, then why doesn't he back himself and say he's not signing anywhere right now because he believes his value is much higher and therefore is prepared to wait, determined to prove the injury naysayers wrong by being on the park and performing over and above for 20+ games in 2026?

Thats a terrible gamble on his behalf that only benefits us.

 

[Woofa]

Thinking about integrity here, LM does not need to do anything until towards the end of next season. If he is confident of coming back big time, then why doesn't he back himself and say he's not signing anywhere right now because he believes his value is much higher and therefore is prepared to wait, determined to prove the injury naysayers wrong by being on the park and performing over and above for 20+ games in 2026?

To me, pushing for a big deal now (assuming he or his manager actually is) indicates he's not so certain and wants this years #7 highlights reel from actually only a handful of games to determine his value for the next 3-4 years. Doesn't strike me as high on the integrity scale, even though folks will say it's only a business and he has his family to look after. I'd say we've probably got under or close to current value from him for the past 2 seasons on a per-game basis.

Don't forget, uncertainty around any player availability, in this case a spine player in particular costs the club as they have to have a decent replacement which likely affects their performance and results too.

No doubt it's a huge risk for any club to offer big money now. But some will.

exactly.. lead us to the promise land and we will pay you $2M a year. Premiership = $2M.. runner up $1.5M, top 4 $1.2M.

 

[Noitall]

Looking at the length of contract of our top 30 halves, Linnane is the one contracted the longest and perhaps he’s the one they see that they will go all in on? Could be that they let Metcalf play his contract out next and they have no intention of offering him the type of salary he’s asking past that? Reports were that they were in negotiations before the injury, obviously with the club looking to extend him before November, when he can negotiate? Since then it’s gone quiet with a speculative piece from Crawley saying negotiations have stalled due to the injury. All current halves are currently signed until 2026, with TMM 2025, so the length of Linnane’s contract at 2028 would indicate they see him in some role in the halves?

 

[CWC]

Looking at the length of contract of our top 30 halves, Linnane is the one contracted the longest and perhaps he’s the one they see that they will go all in on? Could be that they let Metcalf play his contract out next and they have no intention of offering him the type of salary he’s asking past that? Reports were that they were in negotiations before the injury, obviously with the club looking to extend him before November, when he can negotiate? Since then it’s gone quiet with a speculative piece from Crawley saying negotiations have stalled due to the injury. All current halves are currently signed until 2026, with TMM 2025, so the length of Linnane’s contract at 2028 would indicate they see him in some role in the halves?

If he's a speedy 6 with an injury history then he fits Webby's Project 7 role....apparently FG ready before the last injury too

 

[MrFrankWhite]

If he's a speedy 6 with an injury history then he fits Webby's Project 7 role....apparently FG ready before the last injury too

Haha my assumption is that it would be Linnane & Metcalf? CHT taking over at 14 for TMM? That makes sense with our steadfastness not to resign TMM

 

[Falcon]

I think Metcalf either resigns on a little less than the 7 figures being suggested in a shift to be best placed to win a comp, or he goes all in on the cash offer and signs with the Bears for 27.

 

[Sammyw]

we are in no position to flirt with having no primary 7. offer metcalf $1m and incentivise a lot of that with appearances, if he rejects it at least we offered market value. its a halves market, worse players are earning more. otherwise we are forced to rush a younger guy not ready/rely on Boyd.. it would be so typical that we lose metcalf and he kicks on at another club

 

[Noitall]

we are in no position to flirt with having no primary 7. offer metcalf $1m and incentivise a lot of that with appearances, if he rejects it at least we offered market value. its a halves market, worse players are earning more. otherwise we are forced to rush a younger guy not ready/rely on Boyd.. it would be so typical that we lose metcalf and he kicks on at another club

Does beg the question why sharks and manly passed on him, perhaps the injuries? Have heard Fittler say he coached him quite young and said he was always extremely fast. With sharks, as Rothfield has reported it was a matter of $50k that they let him walk. He’s shown in two seasons that he can get us to the top end of the ladder, but staying healthy the issue. I think we need a good backup that’s prepared to play second fiddle and good enough to pick up wins in his absence. We’ve got Tanah Boyd, but the jury’s still out on him for me