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: 2/6

2027 Top 30: 20/30
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

 

[JaggedJ]

Yeo honest about Panthers’ 2026 recruitment strategy: ‘We pretty much just raided them’ | Sporting News Australia

Penrith Panthers captain Isaah Yeo says he’s excited heading into 2026 following a much-needed freshen up of the NRL squad.

www.sportingnews.com

Isaah Yeo reckons they raided us

It will play well to their fans base, but meh.

I can see Ale making an impact from the bench, maybe they'll squeeze something out of Crosby - next year, but the reality is if all 4 play any significant game time they've probably had a few injuries.

 

[Noitall]

It will play well to their fans base, but meh.

I can see Ale making an impact from the bench, maybe they'll squeeze something out of Crosby - next year, but the reality is if all 4 play any significant game time they've probably had a few injuries.

Looking at the players and the opportunities they got with us, I would imagine we were content to see them go? Fatialofa was obviously one who we didn’t want to lose and managed to retain him. Ale never getting opportunities though at times seemed warranted, not extended seems he was surplus. Kalani Going another not extended and wasn’t used again in first grade after a couple of games. Crosby though looking impressive doesn’t seem like we were overly concerned in losing him? Moimoi didn’t get past his development contract year and Freddie Lussick was highly unlikely to factor over Healey. I think Warriors will be more than comfortable with who’s departed and think all would have gone with our own blessing

 

[Wrighty]

Looking at the players and the opportunities they got with us, I would imagine we were content to see them go? Fatialofa was obviously one who we didn’t want to lose and managed to retain him. Ale never getting opportunities though at times seemed warranted, not extended seems he was surplus. Kalani Going another not extended and wasn’t used again in first grade after a couple of games. Crosby though looking impressive doesn’t seem like we were overly concerned in losing him? Moimoi didn’t get past his development contract year and Freddie Lussick was highly unlikely to factor over Healey. I think Warriors will be more than comfortable with who’s departed and think all would have gone with our own blessing

Crosby hurts.

 

[Noitall]

Crosby hurts.

I know you’re pretty upset but I get the impression he’s not rated as highly by Warriors staff as others such as Jason Salalilo or Rodney Tuipolotu Vea as a front rower? Then you’ve got the like of Kayliss Fatialofa on an edge and who knows at this rate how quickly Bishop Neal could progress? I get the feeling we’ve kept who we wanted

 

[Wrighty]

I know you’re pretty upset but I get the impression he’s not rated as highly by Warriors staff as others such as Jason Salalilo or Rodney Tuipolotu Vea as a front rower? Then you’ve got the like of Kayliss Fatialofa on an edge and who knows at this rate how quickly Bishop Neal could progress? I get the feeling we’ve kept who we wanted

I am convinced Crosby was a mistake. I also think prop was not his position.

 

[Noitall]

I am convinced Crosby was a mistake. I also think prop was not his position.

Tell me more

 

[Wrighty]

View attachment 15195


Tell me more

All player evaluation / predictions on prospects are speculative though.

 

[Noitall]

All player evaluation / predictions on prospects are speculative though.

Was there an offer made to him by Warriors? I’m not sure of the circumstances? Didn’t hear anything like the way they went after Fatialofa when he’d signed with panthers? Just think with the coaches and staff who are around them all the time would know what they’re looking for

 

[JaggedJ]

There's a good chance some of our second rowers end up as props. So if there's already props ahead of him and second rowers who are more likely to be ahead of him as props then it makes sense for him and us to move on.

He may have high potential, but if we keep him then who are we losing instead?

I'll trust the coaches on this one.

 

[miket12]

All player evaluation / predictions on prospects are speculative though.

Does this mean you’ve now been watching league long enough now?

Personally, I don’t think Crosby’s ceiling is as high as Fatialofa.

 

[Wrighty]

Does this mean you’ve now been watching league long enough now?

Personally, I don’t think Crosby’s ceiling is as high as Fatialofa.

Still new to league Hahahaha

For sure from the raps on Fatialofa he and Neal are the crown jewels in our nursery. However I had crosby pegged as being better than EIT and TSS by a significant margin (from a projectory perspective).

 

[Neo]

Still new to league Hahahaha

For sure from the raps on Fatialofa he and Neal are the crown jewels in our nursery. However I had crosby pegged as being better than EIT and TSS by a significant margin (from a projectory perspective).

EIT’s performances in his short first grade stint were about as good as any start to a first grade career in Warriors history in my opinion. Looked like he had been there a long time and was able to keep up with the pace of play from the start.

TSS also offered a quick play the ball from the very start, averaged around 10m a run without being destructive. Seems to be in the right place at the right time and is very mobile.

How is Crosby ahead of them by a significant margin? CCES showed a good stat of Crosby against the better NSW Cup sides making no impact at all. He can obviously make a big run but so could Zyon Maiu’u

 

[Wrighty]

EIT’s performances in his short first grade stint were about as good as any start to a first grade career in Warriors history in my opinion. Looked like he had been there a long time and was able to keep up with the pace of play from the start.

TSS also offered a quick play the ball from the very start, averaged around 10m a run without being destructive. Seems to be in the right place at the right time and is very mobile.

How is Crosby ahead of them by a significant margin? CCES showed a good stat of Crosby against the better NSW Cup sides making no impact at all. He can obviously make a big run but so could Zyon Maiu’u

I am pulling out of this as you sound like an EIT fan and I don't want a telling off.

 

[Neo]

I am pulling out of this as you sound like an EIT fan and I don't want a telling off.

No telling off. Definitely a big fan of EIT and what he offers. Just curious how Crosby developed an almost “cult” like status despite not making a huge impact in NSW Cup. Is it the tackle breaking ability and people think he can then round out the other parts of his game?
The interesting thing is Setu Tu was a similar case and is now being tipped to start the season with the Dragons in first grade

 

[Wrighty]

No telling off. Definitely a big fan of EIT and what he offers. Just curious how Crosby developed an almost “cult” like status despite not making a huge impact in NSW Cup. Is it the tackle breaking ability and people think he can then round out the other parts of his game?
The interesting thing is Setu Tu was a similar case and is now being tipped to start the season with the Dragons in first grade

Ok I had a rough finish to the working year if that makes sense, so please be patient with me if I say something incorrect.

TSS stats wise has not done well. His tackle efficiency is 91% which sounds high but is very low as far as middle forwards go. Most top middle forwards are around 95% and the very best are around 97%. Only N00b middle forwards are around 90% or 91%. So TSSs Defence has been poor and I am looking forward to him having another pre-season so he can improve a couple of percentage points and be around 93 or even 94% this year. If he doesn't improve to those percentages this season then I would label him a defensive concern.
FInally his run metres which you said were 10M per run were about 8metres per run when I ran the numbers. 10M per run is only for the truly eite props like AFB. You are still a very very good prop if you can average 9metres per run. Metres per run is a key statistic I follow and track that tells you everything you need to know about a prop's hit ups. 8 metres is what Noob props or fringe props average and he is around there. Yes you are correct he has the fastest PTB in the team and the fastest PTB I have ever seen in my short time following league. So I give him that.

EIT I have not run the numbers on. So I can't respond with anything other than eye test comments and those are subjective. So I have nothing concrete to say other than at this stage he does not bend the line with his hit ups but is a good little tackler.

Yes Crosby - high light reel block busting runs on a consistent basis. Needs to be converted to an edge as he simply did not show he had the motor to even be a strong 40 minute prop. He was frequently out of gas and needs a position such as edge where he can catch his breath and also run amok against defenders. He has a huge projectory and has great personal values based on his interviews and personal values are very important to the priojectory of a player.

 

[Dannevegas]

EIT’s performances in his short first grade stint were about as good as any start to a first grade career in Warriors history in my opinion. Looked like he had been there a long time and was able to keep up with the pace of play from the start.

TSS also offered a quick play the ball from the very start, averaged around 10m a run without being destructive. Seems to be in the right place at the right time and is very mobile.

How is Crosby ahead of them by a significant margin? CCES showed a good stat of Crosby against the better NSW Cup sides making no impact at all. He can obviously make a big run but so could Zyon Maiu’u

Ok I had a rough finish to the working year if that makes sense, so please be patient with me if I say something incorrect.

TSS stats wise has not done well. His tackle efficiency is 91% which sounds high but is very low as far as middle forwards go. Most top middle forwards are around 95% and the very best are around 97%. Only N00b middle forwards are around 90% or 91%. So TSSs Defence has been poor and I am looking forward to him having another pre-season so he can improve a couple of percentage points and be around 93 or even 94% this year. If he doesn't improve to those percentages this season then I would label him a defensive concern.
FInally his run metres which you said were 10M per run were about 8metres per run when I ran the numbers. 10M per run is only for the truly eite props like AFB. You are still a very very good prop if you can average 9metres per run. Metres per run is a key statistic I follow and track that tells you everything you need to know about a prop's hit ups. 8 metres is what Noob props or fringe props average and he is around there. Yes you are correct he has the fastest PTB in the team and the fastest PTB I have ever seen in my short time following league. So I give him that.

EIT I have not run the numbers on. So I can't respond with anything other than eye test comments and those are subjective. So I have nothing concrete to say other than at this stage he does not bend the line with his hit ups but is a good little tackler.

Yes Crosby - high light reel block busting runs on a consistent basis. Needs to be converted to an edge as he simply did not show he had the motor to even be a strong 40 minute prop. He was frequently out of gas and needs a position such as edge where he can catch his breath and also run amok against defenders. He has a huge projectory and has great personal values based on his interviews and personal values are very important to the priojectory of a player.

TSS is average at best, Eddie will make a good middle as he’s shown. Our packs in a poor spot if Tanners in the team imo.

 

[Noitall]

Ok I had a rough finish to the working year if that makes sense, so please be patient with me if I say something incorrect.

TSS stats wise has not done well. His tackle efficiency is 91% which sounds high but is very low as far as middle forwards go. Most top middle forwards are around 95% and the very best are around 97%. Only N00b middle forwards are around 90% or 91%. So TSSs Defence has been poor and I am looking forward to him having another pre-season so he can improve a couple of percentage points and be around 93 or even 94% this year. If he doesn't improve to those percentages this season then I would label him a defensive concern.
FInally his run metres which you said were 10M per run were about 8metres per run when I ran the numbers. 10M per run is only for the truly eite props like AFB. You are still a very very good prop if you can average 9metres per run. Metres per run is a key statistic I follow and track that tells you everything you need to know about a prop's hit ups. 8 metres is what Noob props or fringe props average and he is around there. Yes you are correct he has the fastest PTB in the team and the fastest PTB I have ever seen in my short time following league. So I give him that.

EIT I have not run the numbers on. So I can't respond with anything other than eye test comments and those are subjective. So I have nothing concrete to say other than at this stage he does not bend the line with his hit ups but is a good little tackler.

Yes Crosby - high light reel block busting runs on a consistent basis. Needs to be converted to an edge as he simply did not show he had the motor to even be a strong 40 minute prop. He was frequently out of gas and needs a position such as edge where he can catch his breath and also run amok against defenders. He has a huge projectory and has great personal values based on his interviews and personal values are very important to the priojectory of a player.

You’re going to break Starford To’a’s heart with this talk about Crosby