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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[tajhay]

Off contract in November:

Ale
Afoa
Metcalf
Tuaupiki
Berry
Capewell

Thats not correct. Harper, Ale and Bunty are off contract in Nov. The others can be negotiated with (final year).

In any case, the information pinned at the top of the page is correct - @WahsaurusRex keeps it very up to date. (TMM has not officially re-signed).

 

[Dippa]

I’ve been thinking about this. That would be a great outcome

Didn't Tino verbally agree to join the Warriors back in 2019 but flip and opt to sign for the Titans? Sure, circumstances may have been different back then as a young, up-and-coming player, but the fact that he had insight into the Warriors club and came close to joining suggests to me that we would be foolish not to consider an approach again. The club is certainly a lot better structured and positioned, so you would think that Tino wouldn't necessarily turn a blind eye to the opportunity if presented. Depends on what his desires and goals which you would think are premierships, but there are plenty of Sydney clubs that he could head to - notably, the Panthers, which would be a scary prospect. Also, there is every possibility that he could head back to the Storm where it all started for him.

Would he come to the Warriors, probably not, but is it a good idea to approach, absolutely!

 

[Funky Ed Koosie]

If you are being aggressively optimistic - you throw everything at Farnworth for a centre/ Fullback start, for the 27 season.
Tino would be a great get - you would need to pay more than he’s on but not match the Bears. There is probably a small window in the next 2 years to make it viable for these types of signings before the young guys max out their contract upgrades and demand more money as experienced first graders and we transition out of our current crop of old players on big salaries - Niukore, Capewell, Barnett, DWZ.

If I'm paying 1 mil+ for any player that's not a half, then I'd be all in on Farnworth too. IMO easily the best center if not outside back in the game

 

[tajhay]

Didn't Tino verbally agree to join the Warriors back in 2019 but flip and opt to sign for the Titans? Sure, circumstances may have been different back then as a young, up-and-coming player, but the fact that he had insight into the Warriors club and came close to joining suggests to me that we would be foolish not to consider an approach again. The club is certainly a lot better structured and positioned, so you would think that Tino wouldn't necessarily turn a blind eye to the opportunity if presented. Depends on what his desires and goals which you would think are premierships, but there are plenty of Sydney clubs that he could head to - notably, the Panthers, which would be a scary prospect. Also, there is every possibility that he could head back to the Storm where it all started for him.

Would he come to the Warriors, probably not, but is it a good idea to approach, absolutely!

Hes not going to come to the Warriors. He can get 1.2m a season min by staying at the Titans( he has a 10 year contract with options) (where is partners family lives - he has 3 kids) and is close enough to his family in Gympie, or if he really wants a bump can goto Perth for 1.5m as per the current rumour.

 

[peewee]

As a team we would be better spending the big dollars on Farnworth (not Tino)
Desperately need a good centre to fix our problems.
Still have my doubts about Berry

 

[Damo]

As a team we would be better spending the big dollars on Farnworth (not Tino)
Desperately need a good centre to fix our problems.
Still have my doubts about Berry

If we got Farnworth, I'd have him at Fullback, not centre.

 

[Boston Boy]

I think there's a chance Tino may go back to Melbourne.

 

[MurrayTD]

If we got Farnworth, I'd have him at Fullback, not centre.

That is classic Warriors behaviour, buy the best centre in the world and play him out of position.

I do get the sentiment though, he would be such an amazing signing, obviously wont happen but I would throw halfback money at him personally.

 

[peewee]

I think there's a chance Tino may go back to Melbourne.

That would be typical. Melbourne get everything fall their way. (not only the refs)

 

[Damo]

That is classic Warriors behaviour, buy the best centre in the world and play him out of position.

I do get the sentiment though, he would be such an amazing signing, obviously wont happen but I would throw halfback money at him personally.

How is that classic Warriors behaviour? How was that ever done in the recent past?

And tell me why it's not a good idea, he would be far more influential at Fullback, has all the pace, raw power and ball playing ability in the world.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

I agree.

Under the reasonable assumption that all 3 of Kali, Ieremea-Toeava and Fatialofa will have their development contracts upgraded to the top 30 (and no one else off contract will be re-signed)

That leave's just on spot left in the top 30.

Off the back of this TMM news, one of Lussick or Boyd are gonna be released at the end of the year in my opinion.

We need to sign or upgrade a prop to replace the Bunty/Ale likely departures.

Salalilo or Crosby to take the place of the props?

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

TMM will be gone by 2027 for sure anyway so it won't matter.

2027 is when Healey needs to make sure he's developing and performing better than Makaia Tafua who will likely be in the top 30 by then.

We hes absolutely playing far better than Tafua. I think its Tafua that needs to show somthing.

 

[Mr Drag]

If we got Farnworth, I'd have him at Fullback, not centre.

Speed + Power, would be the best attacking FB in the NRL

 

[france]

Does anyone know anything about this young Tongan kid that we've signed Malakai ?,lol..i saw it on F/B & then lost it..fk my bad

 

[BlackToko88]

Salalilo or Crosby to take the place of the props?

Probably see rhem get more game time next year ie replacing bunty, ale etc.

Both looked pretty good, and crosby is a good athlete. But I do wonder if he gets left out for someone like Harry Durbin

 

[Christchurch_Warrior]

Does anyone know anything about this young Tongan kid that we've signed Malakai ?,lol..i saw it on F/B & then lost it..fk my bad

Recruitment Post in thread 'Warriors 2025/2026 Recruitment & Retention'

Aug 4, 2025

My understanding if this "kid" is at Wesley College. Anyone know his age or seen him play?

• Cces

• 
• 

 

[WHB]

Recruitment Post in thread 'Warriors 2025/2026 Recruitment & Retention'

Aug 4, 2025

My understanding if this "kid" is at Wesley College. Anyone know his age or seen him play?

• Cces

• 
• 

He dont look 16.
Looks like he has a 16 year old.
Good size next to Tony Iro.

 

[Noitall]

Didn't Tino verbally agree to join the Warriors back in 2019 but flip and opt to sign for the Titans? Sure, circumstances may have been different back then as a young, up-and-coming player, but the fact that he had insight into the Warriors club and came close to joining suggests to me that we would be foolish not to consider an approach again. The club is certainly a lot better structured and positioned, so you would think that Tino wouldn't necessarily turn a blind eye to the opportunity if presented. Depends on what his desires and goals which you would think are premierships, but there are plenty of Sydney clubs that he could head to - notably, the Panthers, which would be a scary prospect. Also, there is every possibility that he could head back to the Storm where it all started for him.

Would he come to the Warriors, probably not, but is it a good idea to approach, absolutely!

"Richest Deal For A Forward!" Tino Fa'asuamaleaui Chased By Dragons, Bulldogs & Perth!

Who wants Tino Fa'asuamaleaui? St George Illawarra, Canterbury Bulldogs and Perth Bears ready to spend big on the Gold Coast Titans forward!

articles.listnr.com

Bulldogs, dragons and bears have expressed interest apparently. Switching to Samoa, he should go the nine yards and come to the Polynesian capital

 

[CWC]

Surprising we don’t look for Fijian flyers, they’re just naturally fast and built like a rock

Sign Herbie at FB and extend Mets for 2.2M total and we are good to go

 

[Tookey 2.0]

Surprising we don’t look for Fijian flyers, they’re just naturally fast and built like a rock

Sign Herbie at FB and extend Mets for 2.2M total and we are good to go

The absolute mental thing about that is that it would essentially cost us 150-200k more on top of Niukore's contract if we could end up signing him.

That would easily be the best 200k we've ever spent. Image the difference in output between Niukore and what Herbie offers.

Id give him $1.1mill