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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[Tookey 2.0]

I would keep Marata just not on the salary he’s currently getting. From a top five salary based player, I would move him down to 17. He provides nice versatility & will be a good interchange player

Unless he's fantastic off the field, I would have to say good bye to Niukore and his $850k price tag.

He's experienced, but I don't see him ever playing like an experienced player. Defensively has issues, and struggles to make a dent on attack. His first year he managed to have a few barnstorming games where he made 150m, however over the last 2 years he's passed 100m just 6 times, and hasn't gone past 110m. At the time he was signed, he looked like he had the potential to be an elite edge, however I think we can put that down as a massively failed experiment.

Pretty mad to me that we could get rid of Marata and Berry or Ali, and end up with Moale and Herbie Farnworth for roughly the same amount of money.

 

[WAH MAN]

Why do all you mummy's boys think you can't live in another country from mummy when you are 22?

I honestly don't reckon that's a factor for most 22 year olds.

Lacking independent life skills

 

[Theking267]

Unless he's fantastic off the field, I would have to say good bye to Niukore and his $850k price tag.

He's experienced, but I don't see him ever playing like an experienced player. Defensively has issues, and struggles to make a dent on attack. His first year he managed to have a few barnstorming games where he made 150m, however over the last 2 years he's passed 100m just 6 times, and hasn't gone past 110m. At the time he was signed, he looked like he had the potential to be an elite edge, however I think we can put that down as a massively failed experiment.

Pretty mad to me that we could get rid of Marata and Berry or Ali, and end up with Moale and Herbie Farnworth for roughly the same amount of money.

I don’t think he’s been a failure 2 possible top for 4 finishes as a marquee player isn’t bad. I wouldn’t pay him marquee money but certainly he’s an upgrade on Tom Ale & Bunty

 

[Falcon]

Didn’t we say this at the start of this year? And the year before infact???

Deja Vu …. And no, he’s not a Warriors signing!

 

[Canonball]

And yet we have these fast young forwards coming through next year. Obviously Leka is really the only one with genuine back line off the mark pace, but the others will surprise opposition from the half way mark like EIT, and Gannon, for their size they would beat a lot NRL forwards in a race.

From what I have seen, the trouble with our fast backs in Reggies is that they have handling and defensive issues.

But if you go to the open market, the type of outside back the Warriors could afford will also come with defensive issues. Actually it is looking more and more like the same old problem, decent Australian backs not willing to come here in the first place.

Which leaves being patient and trying to turn someone like Kali into a tackling skilled player, which many forget takes years, if they ever get there.

I know people hate this suggestion, but it so obvious that they need to think before posting their but but buts.....

Here it comes.....drum roll....brrrrrr......the way the Warriors can add a superstar fast powerful explosive back to their side with Xfactor and insane footwork is to play Leka at Center.

Hush, I know I know, he has never played there, but consider, is it really harder to convert him with his set of skills (he can tackle he's a back row forward ffs) and he can learn to defend a three quarter line faster than it takes to find out if ANY of these Junior backs can catch and hold on to the bloody ball.

Do I personally want Leka at Center? no, not as a first choice, my first choice would be for Santa to make one with his elves on the NRL easy to sign star backs for not too much cap space magic tree.

If that is too hard to think outside the box about, then keep Fatialofa at Center in cup.....

But we never did it, we knew it was there and the Warriors said nah....lets make more forwards.

Which tells me we are all in on Berry and Leiataua and on them rides our future....they both better pull finger.....especially Ali, he had so much promise when he was training hard etc....but there is always this thing where these kids have a flash debut, have a try scoring return, then laze around in Cup like they cannot be arsed because they want NRL now....

100% would play Leka at Centre... or Fatialofa ... I reckon the squad balance is starting to look alright though ... and if we get Ali back consistently he can be our guy, we'd have that sort of strike either side all of the time, I think we forget how freakish he looked on attack too

 

[Ref]

IMO Niukore is blocking valuable game time for some of our juniors.
Experience is great to have but the player has to make the team on merit.
He is our least penetrative runner and doesn't bang on D like he used to.
I challenge anyone to name all the positives that he has brought this year and why he should be retained.
Even at half his supposed salary he would be grossly overpaid.
If Webby continues to pick up then this is his role. I would have him as a starting prop to go all in for the first 20, fold some c**** and then get out of the way and thats only because Barney, Ford and Laban are out.

 

[Dannevegas]

Ship Dallin and CNK off to England and Sign Mason Barber, and upgrade Kali.

 

[Five&Last]

Niukore is just blocking the talent coming through. The most I'd be offering is 180k-200k one year extension.

Capewell can go as well. I'd still like to keep his leadership around. But if he's willing to move to NZ, he'd be willing to move to Perth and he'd use that as leverage I think. He has more value for a team like Perth as a culture setter and they would be willing to pay for that imo. Plus the fact that he was SOO this year boosts his negotiating power. He is getting old as well, regression isn't a gradual thing in most cases, one minute they're good and the next they are completely washed up. Thanks for your service Capes.

I think we'll be fine in 2027 without both of them.

 

[Makasene]

With all three players being linked or moving to Penrith, it makes me think is Jett Cleary feeding info to Dad about the best prospects we have? I’d be very surprised if those conversations weren’t happening. Not in a sinister way but just a casual convos here n there

It's not hard to find the best prospects, the games are all available.

What Jett can provide is insights into character and training ability.

Although, predominantly I would expect all our grades to be heavily scouted. Ivan can get info from anywhere.

 

[Five&Last]

Is there any chance the club just hasn't even offered Crosby a development contract for next year?

Its probably more competitive than most people think when there's only six spots.

Jett Cleary, Jason Salalilo, Makaia Tafua, Rodney Tuipulotu-Vea, Paea Sikuvea, Brandon Norris, Motu Pasikala, Caleys Putuko, Patrick Moimoi

There's alot of talent there that are a lot younger than Crosby and pretty much all performing at least at a fringe NSW cup level. Who knows what they could look like after one first grade preseason

For example, I'd likely choose both Paea Sikuvea and Rodney Tuipulotu-Vea over Crosby for upside. Obviously Salalilo is already ahead of Crosby.

Even a bolter like Emosi Ravosai has come from no where and will almost certainly get a train and trial contract to experience preseason. He's not likely for development contract next year. But I think he will be a higher level prop than Crosby in 2 years.

Also Sio Kali and Luke Hanson may still be on development contracts depending on whether they get upgraded (although Kali should definitely be upgraded)

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

IMO Niukore is blocking valuable game time for some of our juniors.
Experience is great to have but the player has to make the team on merit.
He is our least penetrative runner and doesn't bang on D like he used to.
I challenge anyone to name all the positives that he has brought this year and why he should be retained.
Even at half his supposed salary he would be grossly overpaid.
If Webby continues to pick up then this is his role. I would have him as a starting prop to go all in for the first 20, fold some c**** and then get out of the way and thats only because Barney, Ford and Laban are out.

And by the time his contract is up, our juniors players you speak of should be ready to step up, instead of ahead of thier time.

No need to rush leka, Laban and Toeava.

 

[Warriorsfan92]

2026 squad

Props - 4 positions in the playing 17
- 5 specific props, 1 depth prop
- Barnett, fish, ford, Demetric, tanner
- We are short here unless some edges play middle rotation, need to recruit one.

Locks - 1 position in the playing 17
2 specific locks, 1 depth
- Clark, Gannon
- satisfactory squad allocation

Hookers - 1 or 2 depending on tactics in the 17
- 3 hookers, 1-2 depth
- Egan, Healey, lussick
- satisfactory squad depth

Edges - 3 positions in the playing 17
- 6 edges, 3 depth (depending on eit/marata playing middle)
- Capewell, Leka, niukore, Laban, eit, kayliss
- over prescribed here, unless eit/niukore plays a bench middle role. Need to release one or two.

Halves - 2 positions in playing 17
- 5 halves, 3 depth, including development contract
- Metcalf, CHT, TMM, Boyd, linnane, Cleary (dev)
- over prescribed here but TMM been playing 14. Need to release one.

Centres - 2 positions playing 17
-3 centre's, 1 depth
- Pompey, Berry, ali
- lack depth here desperately. Can’t keep moving Capewell to centre, not up to it. Need to recruit.

Wingers - 2 positions in playing 17
- 3 wingers, 1 depth
- roger, DWZ, haizyn
- lack depth here, can play taine out of position if needed. Need to recruit.

Fullbacks - 1 position in 17
- 2 fullbacks, 1 depth
- cnk, taine
- satisfactory squad depth

Analysis:

We are short 1 middle, 1 centre, 1 winger. We’re over prescribed in the halves, and edge back row. Flexibility in the middle with EIT & Niukore able to shift to middle, so can get away with current depth. Desperately need another outside back, as cannot afford to put capes at centre. We’re 1 injury away from this & given the health status of both Berry & Ali (our 2nd/3rd best centres), this is of immediate attention.

Recruitment focus:
- We need to move on from niukore, and Capewell in 2027. Back the young players to solidify the edges, with more talent coming through every year.

- we need to offload 1-2 halves, TMM and/or Boyd going into 27. Linnane on a 3 year deal & Cleary to be promoted to top 30.

- we need to recruit a young, experienced middle with upside potential, Moale fits this bill. With fish & barnett not getting any younger & our development props still years away we need to recruit externally.

- our squad balance is out of whack, with our edges hugely over prescribed, half’s too, & centres desperately lack depth, going into 2026, & 2027. With both wingers the wrong side of 30, we need to identify another experienced winger to bring in, or promote kali & back him. Probably both. Roger likely gone in 2027 (our best winger).

 

[Ref]

And by the time his contract is up, our juniors players you speak of should be ready to step up, instead of ahead of thier time.

No need to rush leka, Laban and Toeava.

Mate they have hardly been rushed.
Throw in Demi and TSS.
They are ready now.

Are you actually saying that Niukore is good enough to hold a spot.

 

[Tookey 2.0]

2026 squad

Props - 4 positions in the playing 17
- 5 specific props, 1 depth prop
- Barnett, fish, ford, Demetric, tanner
- We are short here unless some edges play middle rotation, need to recruit one.

Locks - 1 position in the playing 17
2 specific locks, 1 depth
- Clark, Gannon
- satisfactory squad allocation

Hookers - 1 or 2 depending on tactics in the 17
- 3 hookers, 1-2 depth
- Egan, Healey, lussick
- satisfactory squad depth

Edges - 3 positions in the playing 17
- 6 edges, 3 depth (depending on eit/marata playing middle)
- Capewell, Leka, niukore, Laban, eit, kayliss
- over prescribed here, unless eit/niukore plays a bench middle role. Need to release one or two.

Halves - 2 positions in playing 17
- 5 halves, 3 depth, including development contract
- Metcalf, CHT, TMM, Boyd, linnane, Cleary (dev)
- over prescribed here but TMM been playing 14. Need to release one.

Centres - 2 positions playing 17
-3 centre's, 1 depth
- Pompey, Berry, ali
- lack depth here desperately. Can’t keep moving Capewell to centre, not up to it. Need to recruit.

Wingers - 2 positions in playing 17
- 3 wingers, 1 depth
- roger, DWZ, haizyn
- lack depth here, can play taine out of position if needed. Need to recruit.

Fullbacks - 1 position in 17
- 2 fullbacks, 1 depth
- cnk, taine
- satisfactory squad depth

Analysis:

We are short 1 middle, 1 centre, 1 winger. We’re over prescribed in the halves, and edge back row. Flexibility in the middle with EIT & Niukore able to shift to middle, so can get away with current depth. Desperately need another outside back, as cannot afford to put capes at centre. We’re 1 injury away from this & given the health status of both Berry & Ali (our 2nd/3rd best centres), this is of immediate attention.

Recruitment focus:
- We need to move on from niukore, and Capewell in 2027. Back the young players to solidify the edges, with more talent coming through every year.

- we need to offload 1-2 halves, TMM and/or Boyd going into 27. Linnane on a 3 year deal & Cleary to be promoted to top 30.

- we need to recruit a young, experienced middle with upside potential, Moale fits this bill. With fish & barnett not getting any younger & our development props still years away we need to recruit externally.

- our squad balance is out of whack, with our edges hugely over prescribed, half’s too, & centres desperately lack depth, going into 2026, & 2027. With both wingers the wrong side of 30, we need to identify another experienced winger to bring in, or promote kali & back him. Probably both. Roger likely gone in 2027 (our best winger).

You would have to assume that at the end of 2026 we'll be losing Roger, Marata, Capewell, TMM and Lussick, which is a huge amount of experience, and a lot of money (2 million+) to spend.

Id also be letting Rocco know that if he doesn't make it to 20+ games next year we're letting him go, so for me centre is a really important area we need to shore up. The Rocco sitch kinda messes us up big time imo - when fit and firing I think he's a great (while limited) player and could be our centre for the next 9 seasons, but if he's injured all the time he's taking a good whack of money, and it makes it harder for us to get a top centre over. So hopefully this is our last year we have worrying about him and he either comes right or he is let go.

If Moale is happy to come over on a moderate contract (>$300k) I'd take him for cover and 8-10 games a year.

Centre...Braiden Burns, Bailey Simossen, Tommy Talau, Will Penisi would all be decent options that id consider. KL Iro is also off contract, so him or Herbie would be best case scenario imo.

 

[Warriorsfan92]

You would have to assume that at the end of 2026 we'll be losing Roger, Marata, Capewell, TMM and Lussick, which is a huge amount of experience, and a lot of money (2 million+) to spend.

Id also be letting Rocco know that if he doesn't make it to 20+ games next year we're letting him go, so for me centre is a really important area we need to shore up. The Rocco sitch kinda messes us up big time imo - when fit and firing I think he's a great (while limited) player and could be our centre for the next 9 seasons, but if he's injured all the time he's taking a good whack of money, and it makes it harder for us to get a top centre over. So hopefully this is our last year we have worrying about him and he either comes right or he is let go.

If Moale is happy to come over on a moderate contract (>$300k) I'd take him for cover and 8-10 games a year.

Centre...Braiden Burns, Bailey Simossen, Tommy Talau, Will Penisi would all be decent options that id consider. KL Iro is also off contract, so him or Herbie would be best case scenario imo.

Yeah I’d be chasing simonson, Kelly & Sami for sure. They’re exactly who we need for 2026 & onwards.

 

[Cces]

People need to think more about a Top 36 rather than a Top 30 because you can have 36 players eligible in Round 1 if you wish. For example, you don't necessarily need 3 hookers in your top 30 if you have cover amongst your supplementary/development players

 

[Blain]

People need to think more about a Top 36 rather than a Top 30 because you can have 36 players eligible in Round 1 if you wish. For example, you don't necessarily need 3 hookers in your top 30 if you have cover amongst your supplementary/development players

Correct, Makaia Tafua is on a development deal next season and is already playing NSW over the past 2 seasons. He's your 3rd in line hooker if Lussick goes - But would expect TMM to play there above him anyway. I think that would be TMM's role next year, being a half/hooker utility.

I think the club will buy out Lussicks last season if they can. He's a solid player, hard worker and good dude but I think we will be looking to use that spot to keep talent leaving who have more upside.

 

[Boston Boy]

Ship Dallin and CNK off to England and Sign Mason Barber, and upgrade Kali.

I am 100% with you. Kali is a strike centre, not as robust as Leka but he has similar attributes but with probably a bit more speed and a slighter builder, if he can avoid major injuries I think he could really be something special. Re Mason Barber I would have no issues offering him BIG money NOW and a long contract. If you think the likes of Ponga, Reece W, this kid has all the attributes of a star. More in the long athletic Inglis mood, but wouldn't want to put that pressure on him. We should go all in on him!

 

[The Warrior Waka]

Yeah I’d be chasing simonson, Kelly & Sami for sure. They’re exactly who we need for 2026 & onwards.

Kelly who? Kelly Osborne? Hope you don't mean Brian. Cos hell to the no , no , nooooo.

 

[CWC]

Kelly who? Kelly Osborne? Hope you don't mean Brian. Cos hell to the no , no , nooooo.