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​
Luke Hanson	S​
Motu Pasikala	S​	U​
Caelys-Paul Putoko	S​
Jason Salalilo	S​	U​	U​
Makaia Taufa	S​	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: 6/6

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]

Apologies if it’s already been posted but Todd Payten has reportedly had a ‘secret’ behind closed doors meeting with CHT as they see him as there number 1 target to replace Jake Clifford

 

[roguei]

Apologies if it’s already been posted but Todd Payten has reportedly had a ‘secret’ behind closed doors meeting with CHT as they see him as there number 1 target to replace Jake Clifford

Does not surprise. Todd has always rated CHT highly. I hope they don't manage to get him, and we can keep him. As he is IMO by far our best possible six. Plus him and a explosive half like Dearden would be a great combination.

 

[Wahs_Ultras]

Does not surprise. Todd has always rated CHT highly. I hope they don't manage to get him, and we can keep him. As he is IMO by far our best possible six. Plus him and an explosive half like Dearden would be a great combination.

The thing is, the article released by code sports mentioned that the Cowboys are facing a cap squeeze so will be highly unlikely to retain Jake Clifford. In what world is CHT valued less than Jake Clifford?

 

[Christchurch_Warrior]

Cowboys hold secret talks with Warriors gun Chanel Harris-Tavita, putting pressure on Jake Clifford to commit to club​

Cowboys coach Todd Payten has met with a Warriors spine member as the club explores its playmaking options, turning the screws on Jake Clifford to commit to the club - or risk being squeezed out.


The Cowboys have held secret talks with Warriors playmaker Chanel Harris-Tavita as Jake Clifford fights for his future at North Queensland.
This masthead can reveal Cowboys coach Todd Payten has met with Harris-Tavita as the club explores its playmaking options in the lead up to Friday night’s clash against the Bulldogs in Sydney.
The Cowboys have been impressed with Clifford’s 2026 campaign so far, prompting the club to table a two-year extension for the late-blooming five-eighth, who is off-contract at season’s end.
But with Clifford hesitating at agreeing to terms on the two-year offer, the Cowboys are considering a number of contingencies as a possible scrumbase partner for co-captain Tom Dearden next season.
Harris-Tavita is among the options. It is understood Payten has held preliminary talks with the Warriors pivot, who is a free agent and yet to secure a deal with the Kiwi outfit for 2027.

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 24: Cowboys coach Todd Payten looks on after winning the round eight NRL match between North Queensland Cowboys and Cronulla Sharks at Qld Country Bank Stadium, on April 24, 2026, in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
The Cowboys have not tabled a deal at this stage, but their interest in Harris-Tavita has turned up the heat on Clifford to commit to the club - or risk being squeezed out by salary-cap pressures.
North Queensland football boss Micheal Luck declined to comment on the club’s pursuit of Harris-Tavita but confirmed the Cowboys are doing everything possible to retain Clifford.
“We have been impressed with Jake’s form over the opening eight weeks of the season,” Luck said.
“He worked hard to lock down his spot in the side in pre-season and he has certainly made the most of his opportunity.
“We’ve been in discussions with his management for some time and we are hopeful of getting a deal done.”
This article contains features which are only available in the web versionTake me there
Harris-Tavita is one of the most talented playmakers currently on the open market.
A veteran of 10 Tests for Samoa, the 27-year-old celebrated his 100th NRL game in last week’s win over the Dolphins and has played a key role in the Warriors’ rise to second spot after eight rounds.
Harris-Tavita had a 12-month sabbatical from the game in 2023, travelling around Europe, but has proved his playmaking class since his return to the Warriors and the NRL in 2024.
It is believed the Cowboys have met with several halves, including the impressive Harris-Tavita, whom Payten coached during his time at the Warriors before his move to Townsville.
The overtures to Harris-Tavita come at a time when Clifford is hoping to secure his future at the Cowboys.

The Cairns junior was tipped for big things when he debuted for the club in 2018, but Clifford struggled to cement a first-grade spot and was released to Newcastle before heading to England with Castleford in 2023.
Since returning home to North Queensland in 2024, Clifford has displayed more consistency and fought his way back to finish the 2025 season in the No.6 jumper.
After an outstanding 2026 pre-season, Clifford retained the five-eighth role for the premiership and has started alongside Dearden in the opening two months heading into the Bulldogs clash.
The 28-year-old plays his 98th NRL game on Friday night, but the Cowboys will have no choice but to move on if Clifford refuses to accept their two-year offer.

​

 

[Tookey 2.0]

Well, thats probably the first serious option weve heard for CHT.

Will be interesting to see if he knocks them back, and if he does is that an indication he wants to stay? Or just that it was a shitty offer?

Cows have Dearden, Purdue and Mahony in their spine which is pretty decent and I imagine they'd be on close to 2 mill between them, can they offer 6-700k which is what it will likely take to move CHT on?

I hope he stays on though

 

[Wahs_Ultras]

Well, thats probably the first serious option weve heard for CHT.

Will be interesting to see if he knocks them back, and if he does is that an indication he wants to stay? Or just that it was a shitty offer?

Cows have Dearden, Purdue and Mahony in their spine which is pretty decent and I imagine they'd be on close to 2 mill between them, can they offer 6-700k which is what it will likely take to move CHT on?

I hope he stays on though

Don’t forget Taumalolo who is also on 1mil+

 

[Jaffa J]

CHT and Dearden is interesting great defensive combo but both not natural kickers Dearden is stronger as a 5/8 imo but has to play halfback due to lack of quality I don’t see it working great unless they have a great fullback under them

 

[roguei]

CHT and Dearden is interesting great defensive combo but both not natural kickers Dearden is stronger as a 5/8 imo but has to play halfback due to lack of quality I don’t see it working great unless they have a great fullback under them

Don't see it being similar to how good that kind of combo worked in state of origin last year? Or maybe thought QLD won in spite of it? And don't get me wrong i think ponga is an outstanding fullback. But in state of origin he was pretty lack luster. But dearden and munster shined IMO. Even well enough to earn him the wally lewis medal.

 

[Wrighty]

Helps when you can bring back an origin second rower into a dodgy right edge

I havn't run the stats on his career but I am starting to think that everywhere he goes Capewell is a winner and helps that team to win. I have never seen a player before in my life consistently, every game, do one percenters like he does. If we go well this year Capewell will be a reason why.

 

[skinnydippng]

telling myself it’s just talks and nothing serious it’s just talks and nothing serious on repeat. deep breaths.

hopefully the warriors are drawing up the contract documents right now

 

[sydneywarrior92]

Come on CHT, don't go to a club where there is uncertainty over the coach. Stay a Wah for Life and stick together with your fellow triple-barelled brethren! Come on Cam, make it happen!

 

[Ever Hopeful]

telling myself it’s just talks and nothing serious it’s just talks and nothing serious on repeat. deep breaths.

hopefully the warriors are drawing up the contract documents right now

Our club actively encourages our players to test themselves on the market to find their worth. It seems to be part of the way the club shows that it values the players so as to have fair discussions with them when re-signing.

I can't say I'd be in a hurry to work under Payten.

 

[skinnydippng]

Our club actively encourages our players to test themselves on the market to find their worth. It seems to be part of the way the club shows that it values the players so as to have fair discussions with them when re-signing.

I can't say I'd be in a hurry to work under Payten.

I think chanel did reach out to him on his year off so must have a decent relationship with todd but he doesn’t have job security atm anyway…

 

[sydneywarrior92]

But we are already negotiating with Boyd and he made it clear he will only negotiate with other clubs if it doesn't work out with us. Why aren't we doing the same thing with CHT and allowing him to negotiate with rivals first? Maybe I am reading too much into it and the club is actually negotiating with CHT simultaneously. But at first glance it does seem to suggest an implicit preference to keep Boyd at the expense of CHT.

Our club actively encourages our players to test themselves on the market to find their worth. It seems to be part of the way the club shows that it values the players so as to have fair discussions with them when re-signing.

I can't say I'd be in a hurry to work under Payten.

 

[1995warriorsfan]

I love how everyone always knows about these secret meetings. Who's manger is talking? I guess it is CHT, $$$$.

 

[WAH MAN]

I love how everyone always knows about these secret meetings. Who's manger is talking? I guess it is CHT, $$$$.

Yep totally. This masthead reports that a secret meeting happened between parties a and b. In that secret meeting that nobody knows about and nobody talked about after, this masthead was told by nobody that Chitty is a Cowboy.