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

 

[Blain]

Man, what ive seen of AKP so far is pretty underwhelming.

1 NSW cup game? He's a work in progress. No one is calling for him to be in the side this week, I'm expecting a break in season in NSW cup and a handful of NRL games when our old wingers get knocks.

Warbrick wouldn't be a big dollar signing, wingers are the lowest paid position, would expect a $300-$400k range for him. Wouldn't want much more than that.. He's not a superstar, but a proven good NRL winger.

Look at his game, it's very Warriors like. Heaps of tough yardage, relatively low errors and plenty of tries. It makes sense. And it actually tells you we are preparing to move on from DWZ which is the most interesting thing of all this. As a straight swap I would say he's an upgrade, as he has better yardage and is better in the air. Defensively I'm not sure TBH.

BTW this is all rumours to date.

 

[Garry Saloon]

Harper was nothing more than a depth signing. Warbrick is for multiple years no doubt using up a decent chunk of our spare cap. Why would we entertain buying a below average NRL winger with major health risk? Dumb move.

Because RTS and Dallin are both 30+, because Dallin is fading badly as a force, because RTS is sniffing around 360, because AKP wasn't playing first grade when we signed him. I really don't understand how everyone suddenly thinks we have amazing wing stocks.

 

[Rick O’Shay]

Ermm yeah he would. That's just the level he is at right now. He has speed and a lot of people are backing him to improve past that level. But he's not a week in/week out first grader right now. He hardly had any suitors when the Titans were trying to dump him. I think he could get there end of this year but he has some very clear weaknesses he needs to work on first.

I haven't been that impressed with Mellars so far. Great aerial threat and amazing corner finishing ability. But absolutely piss poor in contact for a guy his size. No point being 6'4 if you play like you're 5'10. I think he would struggle to run for 100m of early tackle yardage per game at NRL level.

I strongly believe that Brandon Norris and Motu Pasikala are the best wing prospects at the club that are less than a couple years off first grade.

I still like the idea of clearing house in terms of outside backs. Don't re-sign RTS (the fall off will be sudden and fast at 33) and ship off DWZ

Run with Warbrick, AKP, Mellars and Motu as top 30 wingers with Norris on supplementary contract (as well as maybe Kali depending on how injury free he is this year).

Is Norris a possibility for for a fullback spot?

 

[Wahs_Ultras]

1 NSW cup game? He's a work in progress. No one is calling for him to be in the side this week, I'm expecting a break in season in NSW cup and a handful of NRL games when our old wingers get knocks.

Warbrick wouldn't be a big dollar signing, wingers are the lowest paid position, would expect a $300-$400k range for him. Wouldn't want much more than that.. He's not a superstar, but a proven good NRL winger.

Look at his game, it's very Warriors like. Heaps of tough yardage, relatively low errors and plenty of tries. It makes sense. And it actually tells you we are preparing to move on from DWZ which is the most interesting thing of all this. As a straight swap I would say he's an upgrade, as he has better yardage and is better in the air. Defensively I'm not sure TBH.

BTW this is all rumours to date.

If there’s any coach I trust to get Lofi back into dally m winger of the year form, it’s Webby. His confidence would have taken a big hit being dropped last season as well. It’s gonna take him some time to settle into life in NZ as well.

 

[Mr. Brownstone]

Because RTS and Dallin are both 30+, because Dallin is fading badly as a force, because RTS is sniffing around 360, because AKP wasn't playing first grade when we signed him. I really don't understand how everyone suddenly thinks we have amazing wing stocks.

None of that is relevant to my main point which is the bloke spent a long time out of the game with concussion issues last season. As for DWZ, he’s not fading badly, he’s exactly what he’s always been.

 

[Garry Saloon]

None of that is relevant to my main point which is the bloke spent a long time out of the game with concussion issues last season. As for DWZ, he’s not fading badly, he’s exactly what he’s always been.

I'm sure they've done due diligence on his health, as for Dallin, he isn't at all what he was in 2023, and are you happy with what he is? Like, should we not have bought a new winger, should we have bought a different winger?

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

1 NSW cup game? He's a work in progress. No one is calling for him to be in the side this week, I'm expecting a break in season in NSW cup and a handful of NRL games when our old wingers get knocks.

Warbrick wouldn't be a big dollar signing, wingers are the lowest paid position, would expect a $300-$400k range for him. Wouldn't want much more than that.. He's not a superstar, but a proven good NRL winger.

Look at his game, it's very Warriors like. Heaps of tough yardage, relatively low errors and plenty of tries. It makes sense. And it actually tells you we are preparing to move on from DWZ which is the most interesting thing of all this. As a straight swap I would say he's an upgrade, as he has better yardage and is better in the air. Defensively I'm not sure TBH.

BTW this is all rumours to date.

54 NRL games just started a new club, you would expect a little better imo.

 

[Cces]

I doubt Warbrick has been offered "big money" in the greater scheme of things, it will just be a decent increase on what he's on at the Storm. The Storm have lost a heap of very good Wings over the years like Vunivalu, Koroibete & Duffy because they always pay them below their market value. Warbrick scored a brilliant try on the left Wing for the Kiwis vs Kangaroos in 2024 so could potentially be used there. Head knocks are obviously a concern but he's in no way a an average NRL Winger like some are making him out to be

 

[Garry Saloon]

BEst wingers 2026, ranked 10
https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/n...-josh-addo-carr-analysis-20260202-p5nz0g.html

Top wingers 2024 (his last full season), ranked 5

The top ten wingers from the 2024 NRL season

Who were the best on the wing?

www.zerotackle.com

People on here carrying on like he's dead average. Madness.

 

[Mr. Brownstone]

I'm sure they've done due diligence on his health, as for Dallin, he isn't at all what he was in 2023, and are you happy with what he is? Like, should we not have bought a new winger, should we have bought a different winger?

In my opinion we should never have signed DWZ. He’s a very good finisher but that’s all he’s ever had to his game. But any decision now on him certainly doesn’t justify signing a replacement, who has significant concussion issues, on a multi year deal. I bet the Storm aren’t trying hard to resign him.

 

[Garry Saloon]

In my opinion we should never have signed DWZ. He’s a very good finisher but that’s all he’s ever had to his game. But any decision now on him certainly doesn’t justify signing a replacement, who has significant concussion issues, on a multi year deal. I bet the Storm aren’t trying hard to resign him.

Dallin also has a history of excellent meters coming out of our end.

 

[Garry Saloon]

In my opinion we should never have signed DWZ. He’s a very good finisher but that’s all he’s ever had to his game. But any decision now on him certainly doesn’t justify signing a replacement, who has significant concussion issues, on a multi year deal. I bet the Storm aren’t trying hard to resign him.

So instead of Warbrick to replace dwz/RTS they should have signed... Who?

 

[WAH MAN]

54 NRL games just started a new club, you would expect a little better imo.

A new club four suburbs over might have been easier but heaps of our guys are moving to NZ for work and it can be a bit of culture shock and can take time to get to their absolute best. I don't expect Gannon's best until next season. I also don't expect Lofi's best until next season too. Leka was born first grade ready but I reckon some guys need more time. Like the slow class.

 

[Hitro]

BEst wingers 2026, ranked 10
https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/n...-josh-addo-carr-analysis-20260202-p5nz0g.html

Top wingers 2024 (his last full season), ranked 5

The top ten wingers from the 2024 NRL season

Who were the best on the wing?

www.zerotackle.com

People on here carrying on like he's dead average. Madness.

Completely agree - voted best back at the Storm in 2024...but somehow isn't good enough for us? Would put full trust in the medical staff to clear him from a concussion perspective

2024 POTY: Will Warbrick Best Back of the Year speech

Will Warbrick took out the 2024 Best Back of the Year award at the 2024 Player of the Year awards night.

www.melbournestorm.com.au

 

[WAH MAN]

Completely agree - voted best back at the Storm in 2024...but somehow isn't good enough for us? Would put full trust in the medical staff to clear him from a concussion perspective

2024 POTY: Will Warbrick Best Back of the Year speech

Will Warbrick took out the 2024 Best Back of the Year award at the 2024 Player of the Year awards night.

www.melbournestorm.com.au

Completely agree - voted best back at the Storm in 2024...but somehow isn't good enough for us? Would put full trust in the medical staff to clear him from a concussion perspective

2024 POTY: Will Warbrick Best Back of the Year speech

Will Warbrick took out the 2024 Best Back of the Year award at the 2024 Player of the Year awards night.

www.melbournestorm.com.au

Yep people love giving their opinions. Right or wrong or way off the ranch.

 

[Mr. Brownstone]

So instead of Warbrick to replace dwz/RTS they should have signed... Who?

Geez I dunno, just not someone who missed most of last season with recurring head issues.

 

[Sammyw]

this forum is hilarious sometimes... touting AKP as an elite winger despite playing reserves for the titans, claiming gannon will usurp our dally m lock of the year, anointed mellars the next manu vatuvei but then nearly collectively shitting on warbrick who is comfortably a top 10 winger in the league.

warbrick is a top signing imo, we have the oldest wing pairing in the league and he comes from a top system

 

[Garry Saloon]

Geez I dunno, just not someone who missed most of last season with recurring head issues.

Yeah but seriously... As Hitro points out, is there someone better than the Storm 2024 back of the year clamouring to come here?

 

[Mr. Brownstone]

Yeah but seriously... As Hitro points out, is there someone better than the Storm 2024 back of the year clamouring to come here?

Not sure, but unfortunately for Warbrick 2024 is a long way from what he delivered last season.

 

[snake77]

Last year, when there was speculation about a big signing. Someone mentioned Walbrick wanted to return to NZ. Maybe there were some discussions last year.

He was out a long time last year with concussion issues. That is a concern. Hopefully, after returning and a full off-season, he plays a lot of games this season. He is still learning league, so the more games he has under his belt before arriving, the better.

If one or both of our current wingers are not here in 2027. He would help to get our sets started. The little of Khan-Pereira that is something he'd need to work on.

We have gone out and signed a few wingers for 2025. That would partly be due to the injuries last year and wanting depth. Also with an eye for the future.