Recruitment Warriors 2026/2027 Recruitment & Retention

Warriors 2026/2027 Recruitment and Retention Discussion​

Player	2026​	2027​	2028​	2029​	2030​
Mitchell Barnett	✔​	✔​
Rocco Berry	✔​
Tanah Boyd	✔​
Kurt Capewell	✔​
Erin Clark	✔​	✔​
Wayde Egan	✔​	✔​
Kayliss Fatialofa	✔​	✔​
James Fisher-Harris	✔​	✔​	✔​
Jackson Ford	✔​	✔​
Morgan Gannon	✔​	✔​	✔​
Leka Halasima	✔​	✔​	✔​	✔​
Chanel Harris-Tavita	✔​
Sam Healey	✔​	✔​
Eddie Ieremia-Toeava	✔​	✔​
Alofiana Khan-Pereira	✔​	✔​	✔​
Jacob Laban	✔​	✔​	✔​	✔​
Ali Leiataua	✔​	✔​
Jye Linnane	✔​	✔​	✔​
Freddy Lussick	✔​
Te Maire Martin	✔​
Haizyn Mellars	✔​	✔​	✔​
Luke Metcalf	✔​	✔​	✔​
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad	✔​	✔​
Marata Niukore	✔​
Adam Pompey	✔​	✔​
Tanner Stowers-Smith	✔​	✔​	✔​
Taine Tuaupiki	✔​
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck	✔​
Demitric Vaimauga	✔​	✔​	✔​
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak	✔​	✔​
Jett Cleary	S​	U​
Sio Kali	U​
Braelan Marsh	U​	U​	U​
Motu Pasikala	U​	U​

✔ = Signed to Top 30, C = Club option, M = Mutual Option, P = Player option, S = Signed to supplementary list, U = Unclear

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

2027 Top 30: 21/30
2027 Supplementary: 0/6

2027 Gains: Nil
2027 Losses: Nil

Off contract and free to sign elsewhere for 2027: Rocco Berry, Tanah Boyd, Kurt Capewell, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Freddy Lussick, Te Maire Martin, Marata Niukore, Taine Tuaupiki, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
Will be off contract and free to sign elsewhere for 2028 from November 1st, 2026: Mitchell Barnett, Erin Clark, Jett Cleary, Wayde Egan, Kayliss Fatialofa, Jackson Ford, Sam Healey, Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, Ali Leiataua, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Motu Pasikala, Adam Pompey, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak

 

[sup42]

Just pointing out that he's not a top 4 half and therefore not going to be in a gf winning team.

I prefer to look it as harder to win the comp than writing off the possibility wholesale because not gonna win the comp is too readily thrown around here to win arguments when in fact no one knows for certain.

Having said that I agree with your extensive analysis on pretty much every point.

But I am realistic about the options atm and that means sticking with CHT till these underling halves are more advanced (seems Metcalf is guaranteed the seven so that rules out the obvious combo of Tanah and he).

 

[Canonball]

I like CHT, have been a fan since he came into grade - wanted him to kick on, to show some of the inventiveness he had in age-group (the scorpion kick is still a wtf highlight) - what we have with him now is a reliable solid and aware half - that 40/20 chance he took against the kiwis and embarrassed cnk would be an example except that he took it from dummy half while playing hooker ... he's a an excellent squad player and almost a perfect 14 who can genuinely play half - we need to hang on to him

 

[maddog]

I've always thought CHT was very overrated but to be fair when he was playing with Metcalf he was very solid and contributed a lot.

If Metcalf was there RD.1 I would say he should 100% be starting, however I don't think he is a good fit with TB and think TMM may be better there so it is a tough one, he doesn't deserve to not be in the team so 14 is an option for sure.

 

[maddog]

Maybe you should be a NSW selector, you'd fit right in.. and QLD will keep winning!

Did you know Egan was a halfback in the Penrith junior catchment and that when he joined the Panthers development pathways he was competing against Nathan Cleary and co. Hence why he converted to a hooker, it was his only viable chance of cracking the NRL squad which he has and full credit to him.
But still, CHT has done this and more, Healy plays a lot like Harry Grant in his early career and Egan could go to the Bears or stay with Warriors but very likely won't play origin like Barney or Capes!!

So was Cam Smith what's your point?

 

[Brightman]

So was Cam Smith what's your point?

No he wasn't, he was predominantly a hooker in junior grades and only played a couple of games for the Storm at 7 when he was blooded into the NRL.

Perhaps you should go to Perth and learn RL from the locals..

 

[Dannevegas]

Linnane to fullback is looking like the play more and more each day.

The only question I have is how he is under the high ball.

Everything else I'm sold on. Get CNK out of that number 1 jersey pls.

If Linnane is fullback, CHT at 6 is a nice balanced spine. If Linnane is 6 then Roger to 1, CHT to 14 and Healey starts for me.

Although I think Egan starting is innevitible so I’d go-

Linnane
CHT
Metcalf
Egan

14. Healey

 

[Cces]

How many years do we need to go back to find Linnane playing #1? Is it prior to U17s, so like 2020?

Search Results for “Jye Linnane” – Page 3 – 18TH MAN

18thman.com

 

[Noitall]

How many years do we need to go back to find Linnane playing #1? Is it prior to U17s, so like 2020?

Search Results for “Jye Linnane” – Page 3 – 18TH MAN

18thman.com

Going to need big preseasons for him to slot in at fullback and Fatialofa to slot in at centre

 

[Dannevegas]

Haere Mai

 

[Warriorsfan92]

View attachment 14843

Haere Mai

He would instantly turn us into a premiership threat overnight.

 

[Neo]

No he wasn't, he was predominantly a hooker in junior grades and only played a couple of games for the Storm at 7 when he was blooded into the NRL.

Perhaps you should go to Perth and learn RL from the locals..

I thought Egan was a hooker from 15 years of age onwards? He certainly was by SG Ball. I think that far back a lot of those guys played different positions and aren’t pigeon holed at that stage

 

[Brightman]

I thought Egan was a hooker from 15 years of age onwards? He certainly was by SG Ball. I think that far back a lot of those guys played different positions and aren’t pigeon holed at that stage

Maybe you should be a NSW selector, you'd fit right in.. and QLD will keep winning!

Did you know Egan was a halfback in the Penrith junior catchment and that when he joined the Panthers development pathways he was competing against Nathan Cleary and co. Hence why he converted to a hooker, it was his only viable chance of cracking the NRL squad which he has and full credit to him.
But still, CHT has done this and more, Healy plays a lot like Harry Grant in his early career and Egan could go to the Bears or stay with Warriors but very likely won't play origin like Barney or Capes!!

Yes, above is what I said earlier when replying to someone with a case of rabies.
But a young halfback who suddenly has to switch to the forwards is quite an ask. Sure Egan has done it but it's little wonder he's prone to head knocks..

 

[chrisnz]

Yeah honestly ponga is not my favorite but if we did land him that probably would turn us to serious contenders especially if metcalf and him could stay fit and strike up a dangerous combo however due to the family baggage that comes with him I would stay clear the dad really gives me the shits

 

[Neo]

Yes, above is what I said earlier when replying to someone with a case of rabies.
But a young halfback who suddenly has to switch to the forwards is quite an ask. Sure Egan has done it but it's little wonder he's prone to head knocks..

Yeah fair enough. I know there are a lot of people who like to shake up what position someone plays, when as you say it is no easy transition. I had always thought Egans was done pretty young, rather than an Aaron Haeremia situation. Egan is always referred to as someone who transitioned late on here

 

[BabylonPink]

If for some completely insane reason we got or get ponga we are instantly top 4.
That guy is Newcastle's whole attack. A one man band.
I'm happy with CNK at FB. I think if our back 5 play to potential they are a huge threat.

 

[Horriors2013]

I prefer to look it as harder to win the comp than writing off the possibility wholesale because not gonna win the comp is too readily thrown around here to win arguments when in fact no one knows for certain.

Having said that I agree with your extensive analysis on pretty much every point.

But I am realistic about the options atm and that means sticking with CHT till these underling halves are more advanced (seems Metcalf is guaranteed the seven so that rules out the obvious combo of Tanah and he).

Fair enough. I'd just rather go balls to the wall throw everything at Storm/Broncos/Raiders/Bulldogs. CNK/CHT in the spine doesn't make any team tremble, I'll bet my house on that. I think most Wahs fans expected to lose that finals game, because our attack was weak and we all knew it. Munster, Strange, Galvin, Mam/Walsh. CHT..if you want mediocrity that's what you'll get IMO.

 

[Horriors2013]

View attachment 14843

Haere Mai

Would love to have the bro here. Would be great for him to connect with his roots and well we'd pretty much slay with him and Lukey Mets.

 

[CWC]

So Linnane and Ponga are our fullbacks suddenly? Love the idea but are we talking based on evidence or out of our peach?

BTW CHT had a very good year and he’s a fantastic character actor, we need the lead actors that are award winning caliber otherwise movies lead by character actors will flop every time