Recruitment Warriors 2026/2027 Recruitment & Retention

Warriors 2026/2027 Recruitment and Retention Discussion​

Player	2026​	2027​	2028​	2029​	2030​
Grant Anderson	-​	✔​	✔​	✔​
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	✔​	✔​	✔​
Te Maire Martin	✔​
Haizyn Mellars	✔​	✔​	✔​
Luke Metcalf	✔​	✔​	✔​
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad	✔​	✔​
Marata Niukore	✔​
Adam Pompey	✔​	✔​
Tanner Stowers-Smith	✔​	✔​	✔​
Taine Tuaupiki	✔​	✔​	✔​
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck	✔​
Demitric Vaimauga	✔​	✔​	✔​
William Warbrick	-​	✔​	✔​	✔​
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak	✔​	M​
Connor Bowden	U​	U​	✔​
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: 29/30
2026 Supplementary: 2/6

2027 Top 30: 22/30
2027 Supplementary: 0/6

2027 Gains: Grant Anderson (Brisbane Broncos), William Warbrick (Melbourne Storm)
2027 Losses: Mitchell Barnett (Brisbane Broncos), Marata Niukore (Newcastle Knights), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Wakefield Trinity)

Off contract and free to sign elsewhere for 2027: Rocco Berry, Tanah Boyd, Kurt Capewell, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Te Maire Martin
Will be off contract and free to sign elsewhere for 2028 from November 1st, 2026: 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

 

[Five&Last]

If it's the Broncos, we should be demanding permission to talk to Xavier Willison as a non-starter.

If he we offer him a long term contract from 2027 and he wants to stay in Brisbane, then fair play. But it puts pressure on Broncos to splash on re-signing him.

A key movement to look out for is what they do with Shibasaki. If he leaves, they probably have enough with the Haas money to upgrade Willison and sign Barnett.

It also probably means Mariner would be off limits as he would move to center to partner Staggs.

Antonio Verhoeven would be a decent consolation prize. He has superstar potential and from NZ.

 

[Noitall]

Nah bo! Want committed players. Even if it means stacking the side with locals.

He’s a mercenary

 

[Noitall]

If it's the Broncos, we should be demanding permission to talk to Xavier Willison as a non-starter.

If he we offer him a long term contract from 2027 and he wants to stay in Brisbane, then fair play. But it puts pressure on Broncos to splash on re-signing him.

A key movement to look out for is what they do with Shibasaki. If he leaves, they probably have enough with the Haas money to upgrade Willison and sign Barnett.

It also probably means Mariner would be off limits as he would move to center to partner Staggs.

Antonio Verhoeven would be a decent consolation prize. He has superstar potential and from NZ.

https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/news-2026-the-mole-exclusive-payne-haas-broncos-replacement-kaiden-lahrs-20260303-p5o78s.html?fbclid=IwdGRjcAQUO05jbGNrBBQ7MmV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHvixySHEvRsY9Wq7CHx2EWCM6sXVlUL_EGoHIw7W3O6rTjvzYnm35hEIhqNY_aem_WqzZZWkJUTRcfoLSxlmTzA

Broncos were after Kaiden Lahrs from cowboys, not sure if that’s changed since Barnett became available? I like the look of Lahrs, he’s got a hard edge

 

[Defence]

I can see Eels trying to offload Matterson + Lomax for Barnett + Niukore.

But all players would need to agree to it. And i doubt Lomax would be keen on Auckland.

To me the craziest thing about this whole sideshow is that matterson knocked back the storm to stay at parra- why tf would he do that

 

[CWC]

They could inquire which kiwi star wants to come home *cough Fish* and then get the ball rolling depending on the location

I’d still hassle the Knights, Ponga is such an obvious target

No to Lomax, guarantee they will come up with an AFB to muck our harmony

 

[WAH MAN]

That’s a good point. Defenders slide off our block plays far too easily…by the time it reaches our winger, too many times our wingers got 1-3 defenders there waiting for him and on the flip side the opposed winger waltzes in too many times. Either our front runner is not running with intent or our halves are releasing far too early. Could be both

The later the release the better really. So they have to dig as deep into the defence as they can before hitting either the other half, the fullback adding an extra number to get the overlap or the front running second rower or across the second rowers face into the centres hands. Or drop the centre back to link outside Charnze to hit an open Dallin or Roger.

 

[Makasene]

I'm sceptical of the whole player swap thing. More that I doubt it will work. It may surprise and it may work out if his new club are desperate to get Barnett. I just don't think it will work out as easily as people think. It needs a player wanting to move not just clubs but to another country. Then for the Warriors in a position we feel we need.

I agree and I think really it's an insurance policy.

I suspect we will not get a direct swap but it opens up the market and we will be fielding offers.

JFH ultimately was not directly via AFB but the publicity and 12-month window we gave allowed space for it to materialise.

I think Barny goes with our best wishes and perhaps we get something elsewhere or we don't. But we have put ourselves in the best position to get something.

 

[Makasene]

They could inquire which kiwi star wants to come home *cough Fish* and then get the ball rolling depending on the location

I’d still hassle the Knights, Ponga is such an obvious target

No to Lomax, guarantee they will come up with an AFB to muck our harmony

I know it's ridiculous, but...

I have this glassy eyed 10 beers deep vision that KP joins us and announces his defection to the Kiwis at the same time (ahead of the WC).

Put it this way, Ponga for Kiws and Ponga for Wahs - I'm convinced atleast one is going to happen

 

[Five&Last]

I know it's ridiculous, but...

I have this glassy eyed 10 beers deep vision that KP joins us and announces his defection to the Kiwis at the same time (ahead of the WC).

Put it this way, Ponga for Kiws and Ponga for Wahs - I'm convinced atleast one is going to happen

Can see him wanting to rep his heritage. I think he's always wanted to but didn't want to give up the SOO bag ($$).

I can't see him ever wanting to live in NZ. Ever.

So I think you're right in that one of the two things will happen

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

If it's the Broncos, we should be demanding permission to talk to Xavier Willison as a non-starter.

If he we offer him a long term contract from 2027 and he wants to stay in Brisbane, then fair play. But it puts pressure on Broncos to splash on re-signing him.

A key movement to look out for is what they do with Shibasaki. If he leaves, they probably have enough with the Haas money to upgrade Willison and sign Barnett.

It also probably means Mariner would be off limits as he would move to center to partner Staggs.

Antonio Verhoeven would be a decent consolation prize. He has superstar potential and from NZ.

What about Te Kura?

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/news-2026-the-mole-exclusive-payne-haas-broncos-replacement-kaiden-lahrs-20260303-p5o78s.html?fbclid=IwdGRjcAQUO05jbGNrBBQ7MmV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHvixySHEvRsY9Wq7CHx2EWCM6sXVlUL_EGoHIw7W3O6rTjvzYnm35hEIhqNY_aem_WqzZZWkJUTRcfoLSxlmTzA

Broncos were after Kaiden Lahrs from cowboys, not sure if that’s changed since Barnett became available? I like the look of Lahrs, he’s got a hard edge

If hes anything like his dad!

 

[Five&Last]

What about Te Kura?

Nah unless he can show he can stay injury free for more than a couple months. More fragile than Sio Kali.

Te Kura should move to the states and try his hand at NFL. Could emulate someone like Jordan Mailata.

I just dont think he's built for this sport.

 

[Hitro]

Would we take Isaiah Papali’i?

 

[Noitall]

Would we take Isaiah Papali’i?

If that rumour of Tago wanting to play with his brother is true at eels, Lomax for him might become an option?

 

[Five&Last]

The NRL (Peter Vlandys) is stepping in to prevent Lomax from defecting to rugby union. Could it become more of a possibility that he comes here now?

You actually might be onto something here. I personally couldnt give a fuck if Lomax is lost to the game. But PVL has a weird obesssion with Lomax by the way he talks about him. And the guy's head almost explodes whenever someone mentions Rugby Australia getting one up on him.

He's can't force the Eels to do shit with their supreme court ruling. But I have a growing feeling he's going to give salary cap relief or some sort of benefit to the team making a deal that the Eels accept for releasing Lomax.

 

[Hitro]

You actually might be onto something here. I personally couldnt give a fuck if Lomax is lost to the game. But PVL has a weird obesssion with Lomax by the way he talks about him. And the guy's head almost explodes whenever someone mentions Rugby Australia getting one up on him.

He's can't force the Eels to do shit with their supreme court ruling. But I have a growing feeling he's going to give salary cap relief or some sort of benefit to the team making a deal that the Eels accept for releasing Lomax.

Agree its heading that way. Dangerous precendent though, all the other clubs are going to squeal about special treatment.

 

[Fizurg]

To me the craziest thing about this whole sideshow is that matterson knocked back the storm to stay at parra- why tf would he do that

Apparently he refused to move to Melbourne unless the guaranteed signing him for the 2027 season as well. It kind of makes sense to stay where you are and play reserve grade than to move to another city for a year and probably do the same.

 

[snake77]

I think it is fair enough for Matterson to push for a second year.

The two clubs are trading him and sorting out their conditions for the trade. Fair enough for the guy affected to have some conditions of his own if he is going to move to another city.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Apparently he refused to move to Melbourne unless the guaranteed signing him for the 2027 season as well. It kind of makes sense to stay where you are and play reserve grade than to move to another city for a year and probably do the same.

Auckland is way better than Melbourne

 

[Mr Drag]

To me the craziest thing about this whole sideshow is that matterson knocked back the storm to stay at parra- why tf would he do that

He knows he would be worked hard by Bellamy! Some of these players just want the paycheck!