Recruitment Warriors 2026/2027 Recruitment & Retention

Warriors 2026/2027 Recruitment and Retention Discussion​

Player	2026​	2027​	2028​	2029​	2030​
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	✔​	✔​	✔​
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak	✔​	✔​
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: 1/6

2027 Top 30: 21/30
2027 Supplementary: 0/6

2027 Gains: Nil
2027 Losses: Nil

Off contract and free to sign elsewhere for 2027: Rocco Berry, Tanah Boyd, Kurt Capewell, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Freddy Lussick, Te Maire Martin, Marata Niukore, Taine Tuaupiki, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
Will be off contract and free to sign elsewhere for 2028 from November 1st, 2026: Mitchell Barnett, Erin Clark, 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

 

[Cces]

Also, am I right in saying that a large number of the juniors that we sign are managed by Invictus? I wonder if there's some kind of closer than usual working relationship between them and the club?

Lemana, Pasikala & Lemalie are others that come to mind. I have no inside knowledge but assumed it was a fractured relationship for a bit when Otukolo & the Kepu's left abruptly with nothing lined up elsewhere. Don't think any 2025 first graders were under their management.
* actually MGT is

 

[Horriors2013]

Some extra context to the Vaigafa signing

View attachment 15057


Also, am I right in saying that a large number of the juniors that we sign are managed by Invictus? I wonder if there's some kind of closer than usual working relationship between them and the club?

I think it's just the timing. U16-U18 tournament going on over there atm. We got a scout over there. Inventus must have influence at the tournament.

 

[CWC]

Some extra context to the Vaigafa signing

View attachment 15057


Also, am I right in saying that a large number of the juniors that we sign are managed by Invictus? I wonder if there's some kind of closer than usual working relationship between them and the club?

Vaimauga, Vaigafa, Viagra, we’re definitely a club on the rise

 

[Makasene]

Speculation that Healey could develop into a starter in 2027 potentially misses the point that he is a free agent on Nov 1 2026.

So really next year he needs to be extended. I don't see much point in promoting him to start for one year.

I'll be honest and say it feels like a Reece Walsh scenario to me. He seems much more likely to take a deal back in Aus is my gut feel.

He's also got the sort of game that sticks out, meaning there will be no shortage of clubs after him.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Vaimauga, Vaigafa, Viagra, we’re definitely a club on the rise

We have been soft for far too long! Its time we harden up!!!

 

[Warriorsfan92]

Jeremiah Lemana (Matt’s Fullback & now SG ball/flegg) has extended his time with us until 2028.

Ronan Byford (Matt’s lock), has been signed by the broncos for three years.

 

[ndp26]

Jeremiah Lemana (Matt’s Fullback & now SG ball/flegg) has extended his time with us until 2028.

Ronan Byford (Matt’s lock), has been signed by the broncos for three years.

Good result to lock in Lemana, but Byford looked a good middles prospect. Quite fitting, I guess, that he is going to the Broncs - he is that Carrigan type of player.

 

[Hitro]

Jeremiah Lemana (Matt’s Fullback & now SG ball/flegg) has extended his time with us until 2028.

Ronan Byford (Matt’s lock), has been signed by the broncos for three years.

Excellent, rate this kid.

A shame for byford. Looks the goods but likely stuck behind Sikuvea and Tuiloma.

Great to see some of the more higher rated youngers guys getting locked into decent length contracts

 

[WAH MAN]

Vaimauga, Vaigafa, Viagra, we’re definitely a club on the rise

We have been soft for far too long! Its time we harden up!!!

Been looking at the wrong V word boys

 

[Naynay]

Speculation that Healey could develop into a starter in 2027 potentially misses the point that he is a free agent on Nov 1 2026.

The speculation on him starting would entirely hinge on the extension being signed. At the end of the day the best dummy half would be the one who stays

 

[Leon Black]

Bro he did what Centers do, ran, passed the ball, put a Winger away for a Try.

No Disney, I farkn hate Mickey mouse.

Missed a thousand tackles, dropped ball coming out of trouble and being bundled into touch a heap of times…some other key highlights

 

[sup42]

Missed a thousand tackles, dropped ball coming out of trouble and being bundled into touch a heap of times…some other key highlights

Same as most players in cup which is why it is the NSW cup.

 

[CWC]

Hypothetically if POS says they can release Ponga early for Healey in return, what would you do?

 

[Tookey 2.0]

Hypothetically if POS says they can release Ponga early for Healey in return, what would you do?

I rate Healey big time, but a Ponga swap right now would still have us as premiership threats for the next 2 years, so while it would be sad to see him go, Healey would be packing his bags

 

[watcher]

Here is a left fiekd one. The Titans cap is tight. How about a pitch for. AJ Brimson. Covers FB and Halves

 

[Defence]

Hypothetically if POS says they can release Ponga early for Healey in return, what would you do?

That’s a no brainer- I think people are getting a bit carried away with healey- he’s a long way off displacing Egan.
The more valid question is do we want to pay 1.4M for Ponga?

 

[Mr. Brownstone]

Here is a left fiekd one. The Titans cap is tight. How about a pitch for. AJ Brimson. Covers FB and Halves

Titans released Fifita so doubt the cap is that tight & AJ is going to be their 5-8 in 2026.

 

[Worried2Death]

That’s a no brainer- I think people are getting a bit carried away with healey- he’s a long way off displacing Egan.
The more valid question is do we want to pay 1.4M for Ponga?

I'd be bitter about trading Healey if Ponga was a flop here on that money, don't trust POS either, crooked as they come. (except when he worked for us).
In other news, AJ Brimson just flew over my house.

 

[Dannevegas]

That’s a no brainer- I think people are getting a bit carried away with healey- he’s a long way off displacing Egan.
The more valid question is do we want to pay 1.4M for Ponga?

Egan is over rated. We either start Healey or up his game time by a lot or lose him

 

[Defence]

Egan is over rated. We either start Healey or up his game time by a lot or lose him

He’s likely to get more game time but he ain’t starting while Egan is here.
Your dummy half touches the ball more than anyone else and egans one of the smartest getting around.