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

 

[Wahs_Ultras]

So the bulldogs kid are we looking at him as a half or FB? We've got so many aussie halves competing for spots lol, surely 1 of them is groomed for FB?

Tia? I believe he can play centre as well?

 

[Theking267]

So the bulldogs kid are we looking at him as a half or FB? We've got so many aussie halves competing for spots lol, surely 1 of them is groomed for FB?

Centre, Fullback

 

[Hitro]

Long time lurker who follows league very closely in New Zealand. I see a couple of names which have surprised me so much this week that I had to sign up and post here.

Warriors have pulled of a couple of incredible talents here with NRL level ramifications in time.

First of all - Cassius Tia is a potentially a MASSIVE get. The guy would of NRL debuted at the bulldogs if it wasn't for some RUMOURED off field discretions and then the dogs securing Lachlan Galvin. Cassius is a better natural talent than pretty much most of players on the Warriors books. His only issue is he is falling behind on where his development should be right now. Ali Leiataua and CHT should be sweating seeing this guy line up in NSW cup - because if given a look in Tia is a game breaker at any position such as Centre, Half and Lock.

Talent wise Tia has the ability to 100% be that Lachlan Galvin guy at the Warriors. He is a legit play maker - something we DO NOT HAVE right now in first grade.

Which leads me to CHT. He is solid but he will need to produce more again. Warriors will want Linnane and Tia to give them some headaches come the back end of the year for their 2027/28 roster. Both can play and both on-form would transform the Warriors back line threat playing at #6. Tia, helps himself by being able to play multiple positions but Linnane at #1 and Tia at #6 is pretty dam sexy for the future.

Secondly, BRAVO warriors!!! it looks like they secured one of the best talents around in the local game right now in Josh Tanielu. He has come from nowhere and leapfrogged Sio Kali. The warriors are not mucking around anymore. They are getting ruthless with stacking talent and giving them chances. Wow this guy can play!! A genuine strike centre! A natural runner with fantastic footwork for a bigger guy, he takes me back to the old school days of a Nigel Vagana mixed in with the Deine Mariner type traits.

Sio Kali is gifted but he is falling down the ladder and the Warriors are not waiting. This is what a development club does. Gives chances to unearth performers and superstars... you better take them or the next guy will.

Another potential headache for Ali Leiataua but I'm glad they are sticking with him because because now he has to find another level. This is a far more ruthless Warriors machine this year with their roster. Some killer calls.

Finally, don't fade or over look Caelys-Paul Putoko. Every single NRL side would sign the kid and if he was at the Broncos, Storm, Raiders, Roosters etc we would be envying them. he has talent in buckets, On his day he is a NSW cup star on his off days he is missing in action and looking ordinary. Very normal for a young kid to go through. He needs time to develop. He will play NRL.

Warrirors will give AFP and Mellars the best part of this year to develop and they will need to take it with both hands as only one of these guys will partner Warbrick next year. Will Warbrick is a weapon. An instant upgrade on the threat scale. His inclusion makes us a more dangerous team.

WOW - Warriors are stacking talent and balancing their books nicely!!!

Great post & intel

 

[Playdaball]

First of all - Cassius Tia is a potentially a MASSIVE get. The guy would of NRL debuted at the bulldogs if it wasn't for some RUMOURED off field discretions and then the dogs securing Lachlan Galvin. Cassius is a better natural talent than pretty much most of players on the Warriors books. His only issue is he is falling behind on where his development should be right now. Ali Leiataua and CHT should be sweating seeing this guy line up in NSW cup - because if given a look in Tia is a game breaker at any position such as Centre, Half and Lock.

Talent wise Tia has the ability to 100% be that Lachlan Galvin guy at the Warriors. He is a legit play maker - something we DO NOT HAVE right now in first grade.

Thanks for the summary.

 

[MrFrankWhite]

Do ya Frank? Do ya really?

*with people I care about

 

[Warriorsfan92]

So the bulldogs kid are we looking at him as a half or FB? We've got so many aussie halves competing for spots lol, surely 1 of them is groomed for FB?

Probably centre. He was nsw cup team of the year at centre

 

[WAH MAN]

Bloody hell I can't keep up with all of the signings. Way to go El Cappo.

Roofless thignings

 

[Est95]

How far away is Tia from first grade? Knocking on the door or needs time?

 

[tajhay]

How far away is Tia from first grade? Knocking on the door or needs time?

View: https://x.com/PhilGould15/status/1917525810115928352

I remember hearing this kid's name when someone asked Gould if he was still at the club 2 months ago and he said "No....." i wonder what happened there. Seems to suggest something happened. Bit of a mystery as to where he went after that but glad we picked him up.

 

[Cces]

Despite the logjam, I hope Tia does get a crack in the halves. As Warriors92 has said, he was named as one of the NSW Cup Centres of the Year (MGT was robbed) but he only produced 4 tries in 13 games in the position where as he scored 5 from 5 in the halves

 

[Dead Man Switch]

How far away is Tia from first grade? Knocking on the door or needs time?

Talent wise he is good enough now but he will need some time to learn our systems dependent on his position. I personally believe he is a half and would easily be the best playmaker we have on our books currently. My mind he is a spine player who can play center too.

The other issue is why he is back home? Bulldogs wanted to keep him, he had to come home. Fell into the Warriors hands but no hype tells a lot. Kid gloves etc

Bulldogs fans will be pissed as some spoke about him the way they spoke about a young SBW.

 

[Dead Man Switch]

Have to point out when it comes to recruitment, the Warriors have some potential generational talent coming through that they would need to clear decks for. The team standard will keep improving. This is what the Panthers, Storm and Rooster have always done. Then you get to cherry pick your key signings outside the club. Awesome position to be in.

I expect all these players to make an impact when introduced in their developed time.

Bishop Neal
Makaia Tafua
Cassius Tia
Jett Cleary (Could bust on hype/pressure but when he runs hot he looks just like his big brother)
Brandon Norris
Jye Linnane
Mark Sikuvea
Jason Salalio (Was going better and more impactful than Tanner Stowers-Smith last year who is killing it this year!)
Nganatatafu Vake

STACKED!!! Who do you keep?

 

[Mudders]

Have to point out when it comes to recruitment, the Warriors have some potential generational talent coming through that they would need to clear decks for. The team standard will keep improving. This is what the Panthers, Storm and Rooster have always done. Then you get to cherry pick your key signings outside the club. Awesome position to be in.

I expect all these players to make an impact when introduced in their developed time.

Bishop Neal
Makaia Tafua
Cassius Tia
Jett Cleary (Could bust on hype/pressure but when he runs hot he looks just like his big brother)
Brandon Norris
Jye Linnane
Mark Sikuvea
Jason Salalio (Was going better and more impactful than Tanner Stowers-Smith last year who is killing it this year!)
Nganatatafu Vake

STACKED!!! Who do you keep?

Add Jack Thompson, Lemana, Inch and Olsen to that list to, so tough decisions for the club in the coming years

 

[Wah's Up]

Have to point out when it comes to recruitment, the Warriors have some potential generational talent coming through that they would need to clear decks for. The team standard will keep improving. This is what the Panthers, Storm and Rooster have always done. Then you get to cherry pick your key signings outside the club. Awesome position to be in.

I expect all these players to make an impact when introduced in their developed time.

Bishop Neal
Makaia Tafua
Cassius Tia
Jett Cleary (Could bust on hype/pressure but when he runs hot he looks just like his big brother)
Brandon Norris
Jye Linnane
Mark Sikuvea
Jason Salalio (Was going better and more impactful than Tanner Stowers-Smith last year who is killing it this year!)
Nganatatafu Vake

STACKED!!! Who do you keep?

Welcome to the forum and keep these great posts coming. Great insight and a welcome change.

 

[Ever Hopeful]

Talent wise he is good enough now but he will need some time to learn our systems dependent on his position. I personally believe he is a half and would easily be the best playmaker we have on our books currently. My mind he is a spine player who can play center too.

The other issue is why he is back home? Bulldogs wanted to keep him, he had to come home. Fell into the Warriors hands but no hype tells a lot. Kid gloves etc

Bulldogs fans will be pissed as some spoke about him the way they spoke about a young SBW.

Sounds exciting. Hopefully he wants to be a top player enough to make good decisions, focus and sacrifice to get there (with support). Great to hear your perspectives DMS.

 

[Dead Man Switch]

Add Jack Thompson, Lemana, Inch and Olsen to that list to, so tough decisions for the club in the coming years

All 4 of those players have talent for sure.
What is especially good about them all is they don't wait for things to come to them in the game. They all are players who go looking for the clutch moments. Which is something a lot of our top guys don't do.

Harry Inch - looks a goer but I need to see more of him - especially around directing the team across the park which will be vital. If Tia remains in our system I believe he has way more strings to his bow.
Jeremiah Lemana - His positioning already is outstanding, even being so young. This is a high awareness player who makes him a dream link player on the field. Can set up and finish. Super brave in the contact too.
Jack Thompson - This guys reminds he a lot of DCE in that he runs a team first and foremost, setting up plays really well. He also has individual brilliance. and has learnt our systems well.
Kaian Olsen - This kid is rapid!! makes me think of Jason Robinson and Rhys Walsh mixed together. Extremely dangerous, match winner type. Great he is in the Warriors system so young as by the time he gets to first grade he will be well developed compared a AKP who has good potential but needs work.

 

[3rdstriker]

Long time lurker who follows league very closely in New Zealand. I see a couple of names which have surprised me so much this week that I had to sign up and post here.

Warriors have pulled of a couple of incredible talents here with NRL level ramifications in time.

First of all - Cassius Tia is a potentially a MASSIVE get. The guy would of NRL debuted at the bulldogs if it wasn't for some RUMOURED off field discretions and then the dogs securing Lachlan Galvin. Cassius is a better natural talent than pretty much most of players on the Warriors books. His only issue is he is falling behind on where his development should be right now. Ali Leiataua and CHT should be sweating seeing this guy line up in NSW cup - because if given a look in Tia is a game breaker at any position such as Centre, Half and Lock.

Talent wise Tia has the ability to 100% be that Lachlan Galvin guy at the Warriors. He is a legit play maker - something we DO NOT HAVE right now in first grade.

Which leads me to CHT. He is solid but he will need to produce more again. Warriors will want Linnane and Tia to give them some headaches come the back end of the year for their 2027/28 roster. Both can play and both on-form would transform the Warriors back line threat playing at #6. Tia, helps himself by being able to play multiple positions but Linnane at #1 and Tia at #6 is pretty dam sexy for the future.

Secondly, BRAVO warriors!!! it looks like they secured one of the best talents around in the local game right now in Josh Tanielu. He has come from nowhere and leapfrogged Sio Kali. The warriors are not mucking around anymore. They are getting ruthless with stacking talent and giving them chances. Wow this guy can play!! A genuine strike centre! A natural runner with fantastic footwork for a bigger guy, he takes me back to the old school days of a Nigel Vagana mixed in with the Deine Mariner type traits.

Sio Kali is gifted but he is falling down the ladder and the Warriors are not waiting. This is what a development club does. Gives chances to unearth performers and superstars... you better take them or the next guy will.

Another potential headache for Ali Leiataua but I'm glad they are sticking with him because because now he has to find another level. This is a far more ruthless Warriors machine this year with their roster. Some killer calls.

Finally, don't fade or over look Caelys-Paul Putoko. Every single NRL side would sign the kid and if he was at the Broncos, Storm, Raiders, Roosters etc we would be envying them. he has talent in buckets, On his day he is a NSW cup star on his off days he is missing in action and looking ordinary. Very normal for a young kid to go through. He needs time to develop. He will play NRL.

Warrirors will give AFP and Mellars the best part of this year to develop and they will need to take it with both hands as only one of these guys will partner Warbrick next year. Will Warbrick is a weapon. An instant upgrade on the threat scale. His inclusion makes us a more dangerous team.

WOW - Warriors are stacking talent and balancing their books nicely!!!

Awesome insight and post mate. Welcome aboard.

 

[Victor_Radley's_Scrotum]

Have to point out when it comes to recruitment, the Warriors have some potential generational talent coming through that they would need to clear decks for. The team standard will keep improving. This is what the Panthers, Storm and Rooster have always done. Then you get to cherry pick your key signings outside the club. Awesome position to be in.

I expect all these players to make an impact when introduced in their developed time.

Bishop Neal
Makaia Tafua
Cassius Tia
Jett Cleary (Could bust on hype/pressure but when he runs hot he looks just like his big brother)
Brandon Norris
Jye Linnane
Mark Sikuvea
Jason Salalio (Was going better and more impactful than Tanner Stowers-Smith last year who is killing it this year!)
Nganatatafu Vake

STACKED!!! Who do you keep?

What are your thoughts on Starford Toa?

 

[The Warrior Waka]

Verhoeven would be handy? Saab maybe ? The rest, Eww....

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

TRUTH BEHIND STORM FLYER'S LIKELY MOVE​

Will Warbrick. Getty

Will Warbrick's proposed move to the Warriors isn't about the money.

One of the game's best wingers, Warbrick is set to quit the Storm to sign a four-year deal with the Kiwi outfit from 2027.

But I'm hearing the prime motivation for the move is homesickness.

Warbrick is a proud Kiwi and lived in the Shaky Isles until his early 20s, with several members of his family on both sides of the Tasman longing for him to return home.

*****
Don’t know where the Mole has grabbed the 4 years from. Everyone else is reporting 2

Its two years then a two-year contract coaching Matts, when Vete moves up.