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]

Its not a force. The player has to agree i.e. longer term security, more pay etc. A player cant be pushed out as part of the trade if they are unwilling to leave.

So back to it, that is why Antonio is the best option out of the lot. The upside in getting him is huge. Would be possibiity as he only came to Aus for his final year of school didnt he? Chance to go back closer to family(somewhat anyway). But doubt Broncos would let him go. Arthars shouldnt even be a consideration (he is offcontract anyway) and does not deserve an upgraded contract. A lifeline perhaps but he is not the future. And Riki is by far the worst possible option. Broncos fans would happily chip in to get rid of him. And its worrying that the club could be paying him based on him representing NZ.

Whether we get anything out of it or not is another matter. If we do not get Verhoeven, or Mariner (both somewhat unlikely for different reasons), then i would rather not waste salary cap by getting anything in return. If we do, its a matter of how much salary cap space did we just throw away. I would guess Riki's one would be the most because of his 'name' rather than his ability.

Antonio should be the only player we are looking at. We would still have to upgrade his contract I feel (top 30 guarantees etc). I think being able to return home isn't enough by itself. Looking at his socials, looks like he enjoys Brisbane/GC. Giving permission for us to talk with the kid/his managment is a non-negotiaiable that Cam should threaten vetoing the release over. It's not like we're asking for Willison, if you're prepared to spend 800k, you're prepared to let go of an unproven kid.

Mariner was heavily on the Warriors radar when he was 16 years old and was a known prosepct on the scene. He didn't fall through the net. Rumours his family doesn't like the club etc. I think he would be as hard as an Australian to convince coming here.

 

[Horriors2013]

Who plays in the halves in Cup when TMM, Linnane, Metcalf are back is the big question

Who plays in the halves in Cup when TMM, Linnane, Metcalf are back is the big question

Linnane hasn't seen any action in over a year. It's cup for him for a few weeks at least. Off the bench.

 

[Horriors2013]

Antonio should be the only player we are looking at. We would still have to upgrade his contract I feel (top 30 guarantees etc). I think being able to return home isn't enough by itself. Looking at his socials, looks like he enjoys Brisbane/GC. Giving permission for us to talk with the kid/his managment is a non-negotiaiable that Cam should threaten vetoing the release over. It's not like we're asking for Willison, if you're prepared to spend 800k, you're prepared to let go of an unproven kid.

Mariner was heavily on the Warriors radar when he was 16 years old and was a known prosepct on the scene. He didn't fall through the net. Rumours his family doesn't like the club etc. I think he would be as hard as an Australian to convince coming here.

Agree. He doesn't like us.

 

[Horriors2013]

Another thing to consider with Tannah, last season he was thrown in after mid season, team wasn’t set up to play for him.

He has reps under the belt and a full off season training as the starting 7. We have no idea what shape LM comes back in too

Exactly! Different prospect when given the reigns from the get-go and knowing well in advance what his objective is. It would be a shame to let him go. But if Cleary is the future, then vaya con dios, bro. And I'm clear in my mind that Mets is a 6.

I truly see that many on this forum have an emotional attachment to CHT. But it's irrational and based on noble qualities that don't override the real need for a 6 who breaks the line and opens up the field for the backs to motor through. Not sporadic moments of unusual kick chase miracles. You can't rely on that.

 

[Dannevegas]

Are we being a bit harsh on Riki? He won a premiership 6 months ago- has played over a 100 games, a few tests and only just turned 26.
I’m working on the assumption capewell and Marata are leaving- that’s on top of Barney- possibly rts and dwz too- that’s a lot of experience walking out the door.
I’d be cautious flooding the squad with too many rookies too soon- we’re gonna have to recruit some experience somewhere imho.

Tyson smoothy won a comp 6 months ago too should we sign him? Riki didn’t contribute anything to their wins, Walsh carried that team on his back

 

[Noitall]

Tyson smoothy won a comp 6 months ago too should we sign him? Riki didn’t contribute anything to their wins, Walsh carried that team on his back

If we were looking at a dummy half, he’d be a good get. Billy Walters name probably mentioned in articles as a 14 option? I would back the club if they thought Riki was worth bringing onboard, he could transition to a middle if necessary or someone else and he stays an edge forward? Like I mentioned the other day that I think character and drive go as far as anything in the club’s pursuit for recruits

 

[Blain]

Are we being a bit harsh on Riki? He won a premiership 6 months ago- has played over a 100 games, a few tests and only just turned 26.
I’m working on the assumption capewell and Marata are leaving- that’s on top of Barney- possibly rts and dwz too- that’s a lot of experience walking out the door.
I’d be cautious flooding the squad with too many rookies too soon- we’re gonna have to recruit some experience somewhere imho.

Would we sign Riki if he was off contract? Or any second rower? I would say so. We have second rowers coming out of ears right now.

Not sure why people are talking about hookers either.. Plenty of talent coming through lads, on top of Egan and Healy. Say if Egan left suddenly I'd hope the club would be lokoing at moving CHT there instead of recruiting.

Then Riki himself, hard pass from me. Loves a bad defensive read and missed tackle.

 

[rugged]

Antonio should be the only player we are looking at.

Totally agree! I hope the reports that we have a list of players we are open to are wide of the mark. Obviously if the kid won't come then we will have to look at other players, but the Broncos are 0-2 on top of the pressure of losing Haas, they wouldn't really want the Barnett deal to fall through so we should be using that to our advantage.

 

[Noitall]

Would we sign Riki if he was off contract? Or any second rower? I would say so. We have second rowers coming out of ears right now.

Not sure why people are talking about hookers either.. Plenty of talent coming through lads, on top of Egan and Healy. Say if Egan left suddenly I'd hope the club would be lokoing at moving CHT there instead of recruiting.

Then Riki himself, hard pass from me. Loves a bad defensive read and missed tackle.

Just saying I wouldn’t be angry. There are obviously players us as fans would be over the moon at, but anything would be awesome that worked out for all parties. Those players that were speculated about are all great players that I think the club could do a lot with

 

[WAH MAN]

Verhoeven definitely the priority, however i might be in the minority, if we lose Capes and Niukore i would take Riki.

Even in light of how the young bucks of Demi Tanner Leka and Jacob stepping up so well?

 

[Cces]

Not sure why people are talking about hookers either.. Plenty of talent coming through lads, on top of Egan and Healy. Say if Egan left suddenly I'd hope the club would be lokoing at moving CHT there instead of recruiting.

CHT is off contract & if he were to sign elsewhere then a signing of a hybrid 9/6 in the mould of Walters wouldn't be a bad idea. Can't think of anyone currently in the system who fits that bill. Hanson's the right body type though

 

[Defence]

Even in light of how the young bucks of Demi Tanner Leka and Jacob stepping up so well?

Remember when Ben Henry, Taylor and ikahihifo were coming through? Lisone, vete… Im worried we might repeat the mistakes of the past.
It’s not the first time we’ve had boom juniors coming through- they’re just being handled better now- I can’t see cappy and Webby throwing them to the wolves- u can’t rely solely on development- u need a balance of experienced players there too.
Whether that’s Riki or not I don’t know but I’d be nervous letting over a thousand games of experience walk without replacing any of it.

 

[CWC]

Billy Walters is an elite player IMO so I doubt we'll get him, on top of Egan/Healey/Tafua, CHT/TMM can cover that hybrid role too, and there's the compassionate release too, unless he wants to come over for some weird reason

Maybe we just chucked his name in there as part of the bargaining

 

[MrFrankWhite]

And I'm clear in my mind that Mets is a 6.

Mets disagrees with you

 

[Falcon]

Its not a force. The player has to agree i.e. longer term security, more pay etc. A player cant be pushed out as part of the trade if they are unwilling to leave.

So back to it, that is why Antonio is the best option out of the lot. The upside in getting him is huge. Would be possibiity as he only came to Aus for his final year of school didnt he? Chance to go back closer to family(somewhat anyway). But doubt Broncos would let him go. Arthars shouldnt even be a consideration (he is offcontract anyway) and does not deserve an upgraded contract. A lifeline perhaps but he is not the future. And Riki is by far the worst possible option. Broncos fans would happily chip in to get rid of him. And its worrying that the club could be paying him based on him representing NZ.

Whether we get anything out of it or not is another matter. If we do not get Verhoeven, or Mariner (both somewhat unlikely for different reasons), then i would rather not waste salary cap by getting anything in return. If we do, it’s a matter of how much salary cap space did we just throw away. I would guess Riki's one would be the most because of his 'name' rather than his ability.

If Verhoven is savvy, ambitious and has good people around him he will see the centre position at the Warriors as being up for grabs and not roadblocked like at the Broncos.

 

[Five&Last]

Remember when Ben Henry, Taylor and ikahihifo were coming through? Lisone, vete… Im worried we might repeat the mistakes of the past.
It’s not the first time we’ve had boom juniors coming through-

This is the first time imo. No offence to the likes of Ben Henry, Elijah Taylor, Ikahihifo, Lisone but they weren't that talented to begin with.

We have some early dynasty building blocks coming through.

Bishop Neal just ran for 220m on the weekend as a 17 year old in an U21 competition.

 

[Billyspleen75]

CHT is off contract & if he were to sign elsewhere then a signing of a hybrid 9/6 in the mould of Walters wouldn't be a bad idea. Can't think of anyone currently in the system who fits that bill. Hanson's the right body type though

TMM might be that bargain 9/6 cover. He could be happy to be a semi permanent 18th man, who gets to hunt and fish mid week

 

[Dead Man Switch]

Verhoeven is absolutely the guy we want but one would be dreaming if they didnt think Webster could do wonders with a 26 year old Jordan Riki - in fact he is the ideal pick up. The guy is a premiership winner, has buckets of experience. He has years of highlights. He is super aggressive and is the exact type of player (like a Mitch Barnet) who would go up levels under Webster and be a leader in the pack. Riki completely fits the bill at the perfect age and being a Kiwi.

To our benefit he is currently under performing in this broncos pack. Which is common for most players at some small window of their career. Particularly in their mid 20s

Lose Niukore, Barnett, and possibly Capewell from the pack and then TMM and possibly CHT from the backs... You will need experience. If Riki is on the table in any deal I think they would grab him. Under Webster the guy dominates.

 

[Riz]

Verhoeven is absolutely the guy we want but one would be dreaming if they didnt think Webster could do wonders with a 26 year old Jordan Riki - in fact he is the ideal pick up. The guy is a premiership winner, has buckets of experience. He has years of highlights. He is super aggressive and is the exact type of player (like a Mitch Barnet) who would go up levels under Webster and be a leader in the pack. Riki completely fits the bill at the perfect age and being a Kiwi.

To our benefit he is currently under performing in this broncos pack. Which is common for most players at some small window of their career. Particularly in their mid 20s

Lose Niukore, Barnett, and possibly Capewell from the pack and then TMM and possibly CHT from the backs... You will need experience. If Riki is on the table in any deal I think they would grab him. Under Webster the guy dominates.

I agree, he's got flaws but with our kick chase priority model he fits the bill.

 

[WAH MAN]

Mets disagrees with you

It's not a problem to have options like this. It will get sorted soon enough