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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[John Nick]

Happy to disagree. I haven't decided that's the criteria I'm saying if he's not willing to prove himself and is seeking long term very high reward guarantees now (on the back of a limited 2025 highlight reel) then the club has every right to think twice about whether he genuinely wants to remain a Warrior or he's in it purely for the money (which is fine if both sides understand that). However, I believe Webby and the club would be more hesitant under those circumstances especially given the investment they have made so far in him.
The Club has worked hard for balance and exiting folks who don't align. Holding the club to ransom may well tarnish the harmony they are working hard to embed.
It's not long since we experienced AFB's situation....

Just my opinion tho.

In today's world everyone is entitled to do what is best for themselves and their families. Footy life is short.
Are you really suggesting that he is holding the club to ransom.
I hope I have misread or misunderstood your message

 

[Tragic]

We were winning with metcalf but we also had barney then. We weren't exactly seeing the world on fire on attack even then but Metcalf definitely made our attack better. But we were winning games with defence not by high scoring. His in game kicking was OK but improving, especially bombs near the line. He didn't have a long kick nor was he a good goal kicker.
CHT and TMMs kicking isn't any better. So we need someone else to pair with any of them to fill the gaps.
Those gaps mean he is not elite.
But he is the best we have.
If he could stay on the park he would be better than brown, but brown is over paid.
Ezra mam is supposedly on 800k. Luai supposedly over a million (1.2?)
Kodi N is probably similar skillset and he is 650k.
Hughes is on 1.09M but next level.

So 755k is probably about right price.

 

[Old Sid]

In today's world everyone is entitled to do what is best for themselves and their families. Footy life is short.
Are you really suggesting that he is holding the club to ransom.
I hope I have misread or misunderstood your message

Nope, not suggested anywhere in my message. He's entitled to do what he wishes, likewise the club based on LM's perceived value and effect on the wider squad. What I am advocating for is some patience from both sides while the effect of his injuries play out and his genuine value can be established. That seems fair all around to me.

 

[John Nick]

Nope, not suggested anywhere in my message. He's entitled to do what he wishes, likewise the club based on LM's perceived value and effect on the wider squad. What I am advocating for is some patience from both sides while the effect of his injuries play out and his genuine value can be established. That seems fair all around to me.

Cheers mate
Cleared that up
His value like everything else in life is how much someone else is willing to pay.
Market value and he is entitled to do the best for him and family
Any thing else we ramble on about is pure conjecture.

 

[Boats n Hoes]

Gotta say, there's some good quality debate in this thread lads. Enjoyed following it tbh

 

[roguei]

Not for or against this unproven Metcalf kid. But to some players it seems that sticking around them during injuries does lead to at least some basis to the club.

 

[Ever Hopeful]

Not for or against this unproven Metcalf kid. But to some players it seems that sticking around them during injuries does lead to at least some basis to the club.View attachment 14097

Take that Benji-hating Isaac Moses!

 

[Five&Last]

SOO payments have nothing to do with your club contract.
The fact it’s 50k for a fringe grader 300k for a marquee 7 is not a far stretch. I thought it’s pretty common I could be wrong

What would you pay him?

Marquee players command high base salary.

Because they are marquee players…

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Not for or against this unproven Metcalf kid. But to some players it seems that sticking around them during injuries does lead to at least some basis to the club.View attachment 14097

Absolutely look after Metcalf, just not a million dollars of care.

 

[Playdaball]

Biggest factor , is Metcalf’s partner happy in Nz ??
That will determine where he ends up . In saying that Perth is further away from Sydney than Akld .

 

[WHB]

Linane looks fire and brimstone.
Hope my gut feeling on this kid happens.
I really think he can rob the nest and take the half spot with Metcalf.
Looking at his highlights he could accommodate full back,wing and center as well.

 

[Cces]

Can someone explain the criteria to get picked up by a Super League club? This article says Bunty hasn't played enough NRL in the last 12 months to be eligible but Franklin Pele had less than he does when he headed over to England.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/ru...aem_UxBXSNqA-tTFep2SF4Z98g#Echobox=1754686147

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Can someone explain the criteria to get picked up by a Super League club? This article says Bunty hasn't played enough NRL in the last 12 months to be eligible but Franklin Pele had less than he does when he headed over to England.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/ru...aem_UxBXSNqA-tTFep2SF4Z98g#Echobox=1754686147

Thats BS, he could have a great end to his career in the super league.

That cant be right!

 

[Neo]

Can someone explain the criteria to get picked up by a Super League club? This article says Bunty hasn't played enough NRL in the last 12 months to be eligible but Franklin Pele had less than he does when he headed over to England.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/ru...aem_UxBXSNqA-tTFep2SF4Z98g#Echobox=1754686147

I have seen it mentioned before with other players. I think it may be if you are to be paid at a certain level, or maybe if you are in the top tier of the competition. Maybe some of the other guys who go across are in the second tier competition. Here is some info when Jock Maddens switch failed.

Broncos playmaker Jock Madden’s Super League switch has been put on ice due to the competition’s qualification rulings.
Thwarting a potential UK switch, seeking regular first grade is a peculiar rule with players having to have featured in 50 per cent of NRL games in the previous season to feature in the Super League.
Madden, 25, only played 10 games in 2024, therefore meaning he isn’t eligible to make a switch to the Rhinos.

 

[Cces]

Would have been a priority signing amongst the teenagers in our teams

 

[Hazza]

here is another transfer rumor

EXCLUSIVE: New Zealand Warriors express interest in Titans speedster

He has been shopped to rival teams.

www.zerotackle.com

 

[sup42]

Gotta say, there's some good quality debate in this thread lads. Enjoyed following it tbh

I am still waiting for the 750k mob to reconcile that they are offering the stock good second rowers price tag (Marata) to the key spine player in their line ups.

I think the arguments are circular and fundamentally flawed.


Desirable Halves cost more than even your Barnetts and Niukore imports.

Dally M profiled halves cost more than the silly money being offered here.

It is a thing I noticed ten years ago, that a million dolllars shrank in Salary cap terms, while many fans did not make the adjustment. They think it is a lot of money, it is standard for your top player. JFH will be on a million a season.

 

[Dannevegas]

here is another transfer rumor

EXCLUSIVE: New Zealand Warriors express interest in Titans speedster

He has been shopped to rival teams.

www.zerotackle.com

I like arrogant players with an ego, it’s what you need to be good at this sport, but this guys just a straight cockhead, ye he’s fast but that’s it. Suss on D, Suss under the high ball. Let’s just back Sio Kali and Norris isn’t too far away

 

[SBW1]

I like arrogant players with an ego, it’s what you need to be good at this sport, but this guys just a straight cockhead, ye he’s fast but that’s it. Suss on D, Suss under the high ball. Let’s just back Sio Kali and Norris isn’t too far away

He is of mixed heritage having played for the Indigenous All Stars, while also having māori, Samoan and Pakistani heritage.

 

[Muddogz]

I like arrogant players with an ego, it’s what you need to be good at this sport, but this guys just a straight cockhead, ye he’s fast but that’s it. Suss on D, Suss under the high ball. Let’s just back Sio Kali and Norris isn’t too far away

He’s scored 53 tries in 53 games playing in a very poor team. Thats an incredible strike rate, better than Josh Addo-Carr when he was at the Storm. He may be a one trick pony but its a great one.

I’d definitely be keen on him, especially if its for next season. Lightening quick wingers dont stay lightening quick for too long past 26.