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

 

[Neo]

Cool your Jett's. One week ago his team got beat by 34 & he's actually only kicked 7/12 goals this year.
Our Cup team has won 20 out of their last 25. In the 5 of the games we didn't win, he was our Halfback 4 times

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

 

[Dannevegas]

Jett is still at least a year or two of consistent Cup games away from even be considered for first grade unless he improves his game significantly.
Hanson at least has had two seasons worth of Cup games, so is likelier to be a consideration at 6 at least.
Cleary has got eff all on the board comparatively, albeit much more a 7 than a 6.

Hansons a bigger ball hog then Kata, and he’s a half

 

[sydneywarrior92]

Tannah is a lot like Jack Cogger imo. Neither are game breakers who can break open a game when your side is being dominated up front. That's why Cogger struggled so much at Newcastle and TB at the Tits, two sides that regularly lose the middle battle more games than not. In my view, that's why TB would struggle if he were to secure a contract as a starting 7 at another struggling club that would be interested in his services. All of these potential suitors barely possess serviceable forward packs (ie Manly, Dragons, etc).

Where he does offer value is for teams where he isn't expected to be the marquee game breaker but rather play a supportive role to said marquee player. If he plays behind a dominant pack, his strong general kicking game and game management skills are actually an asset to teams that emphasise a field possession focused game plan. That's why I think he fits naturally for us as the 7 to Metcalf's 6. So I do hope we find a way to keep him in our system.

 

[KPWarrior]

I now have a dilemma. Tanah has shown that all he needed was to start the season with the team to make his mark. He is fulfilling his potential.

But Cleary is looking even better, albeit in NSW Cup. What do we do if both are playing really well by end of season?

Tanah's field kicking game is superb. He has been on point. 40/20, distance, height when required, cross-field kicking has been perfect.

Cleary on the other hand, his field kicking is OK, but not as good. However, his running game is X-factor and his goal-kicking has improved in offseason - kicked 7 on Friday.

My gut is telling me Mets at 6, Tanah at 7 and CHT 14. I see Tanah as our Adam Reynolds.

But next year, I don't know. Cleary or Boyd? Would Cleary commit to us long-term? His dad keeps putting it out there that he wants to be with Jett. I think if given the chance, Tanah would commit, unless PNG/Perth swoop in with a big offer.

I'm thinking Tanah would want commitment from us too, 3 years +. But we've invested in Jett. Who even later on could go back to Penrith.

One thing I'm sure of is that we have sufficient HB power now to send him back to 6. We have Boyd, Cleary, Thompson.

Stand-off we have an injury-ridden TMM, CHT who is solid but not spectacular, and Luke Hansen. IMO Hansen is the best of them, but will never have Met's speed.

In a perfect world, Tannah extends another year, then Jett comes in. But, as some point out, Tanah's contract has not been extended yet and next year we are due to re-negotiate Jett's contract. By then I reckon Jett will be offered around $500,000 by one of the cellar-dwellers.

So I think Tanah's next contract looms as extremely influential in the future of our halves. If he goes, that means we're committed to Jett IMO.

Another scenario, they could flip this on its head and choose Mets and Boyd together.

I want all 4, including Hansen. Not likely though.

I haven't seen either of the Cup games so far this year, but I'm guessing Jett is still a fair way off steering an NRL team around the park.
Ivan knows he's in a good system, so who knows what his intentions are. I'd like to see him dominate Cup to the point where he is literally 'next man up'.

As for the halves, never been a fan of having 2 No.7's, although Mets always looked more of 6 before he started looking more of a 7, I can see how it might work, but I can't see it happening.
If Tanah wants to stick around I'm all for it! I think it'll be more of a case of him finding a starting role somewhere else rather than us "getting rid of him", he's proving to be more than handy so far.
CHT is a keeper for mine, he's doing a fairly decent job at 6 and is probably about the best No.14 you can hope for if someone else demand selection, there's also Linnane and Hanson?
I don't see enough of these guys to know where they're at.

 

[Dead Man Switch]

Truly a lot to be excited about being a Warriors supporter these days. The club looks to be exceptional health with the pathways delivering genuine talent.

What must be considered a considerable omen for most NRL clubs is that the Warriors now are taking average players, or good players in slumps and turning them into standout elite performers. This is what has kept the Panthers and the Storm humming along for years... superstars mixing with ++Value over performers

Case in point - Mitch Barnett, Jackson Ford and Tanah Boyd. It takes them roughly 18 - 24 months to hit that sweet spot and then its only up from there. I put that down to Webster's immense understanding that boring wins titles. Boring means repetitive completion on absolutely EVERYTHING individually and as a team. For a half that may mean, you pass 1000 times a week, same arc, same body position until it is regimented into your being. Now repeat across all the other aspects of your game. Hence 18-24 months to build the PEAK player.

The next group is likely to see Alofiana Khan-Pereira, Sam Healey and Morgan Gannon stocks rise as their time drilling each week and then experiencing first grade increases. And that is also not touching on the next tier of young prodigal talent coming through of which is no shortage. The warriors will lose a lot of talent but the ones they keep will be outstanding contributors to this football team.

Something massive has happened the last two weeks. A player by the name of Tanah Boyd has finally gained confidence from discipline regiment and is taking games by the scruff of the neck. Roosters and the knights have suffered because of it and not being able to live with the Warriors. You literally see the souls leaving their bodies and they get systematically crush by the Warriors obsession with boring repetitive ruthlessness.

For those in the know Tanah Boyd has been one of most disappointing NRL talents to emerge out of Queensland in recent years. To say Tanah was highly rated as a junior is an understatement. Wally Lewis said Tanah had the best kicking game he has ever seen a junior player have. He actually rated his kicking game the best in the NRL. Last night Tanah's kicking game wasn't A or even A+... is was S-TIER.

The Warriors have never had a player in the history of the club who can kick like this. Very few clubs have a player who can win a game on the basis of his kicking game. The Warriors have that currently. Yes he lacks polish when kicking goals but that will come. If you think what is potentially on the way with Wil Warbrick, Mellars and hypothetically Bishop Neale and Verhoeven... A elite NRL kicker like this #1.

Last night the Warriors witnessed something they clearly hadn't planned for because they had no choice. When CHT went down, Boyd took over complete control of the kicking and running/attacking game. He also touched the ball and directed the shape more times than I have seen a half do at the Warriors for many years. Honestly it was not at the same level but it did remind me of Jonathan Thurston demanding the ball in hands every single tackle/play and choosing who got it and when, including props and second rowers... causing all sorts of headaches for defensive lines because they couldn't get the exact read on the play.

So now the Warriors have a problem. A Tanah Boyd who can play like this week in/week out... this guy will likely win NRL titles. His team will win way more than they lose. They will play finals regulary.

You have to think with Webster's track record, Tanah will remain at this level and probably has another 20 - 30% growth in him.

A guy like CHT is 100% what you want at your NRL club. He is dedicated, he is team first and he is rock solid. Does most things good without being a leader in any category. I mean this respectfully. CHT is not elite. He will not lead you to titles but he is a competitor who inspires his fellow players to raise their level and he has plenty to contribute to any club. His will to fight is un-coachable.

Tanah Boyd playing like this week in week out will make the Warriors feared. We have never had this before. Is this his new standard now? Have the Warriors clicked he needs to be dominant and hold the ball and run the shape.

I hope the Warriors make a smart choice as does Tanah. The Warriors are 100% the club who can make him great but likely pay him less.

I want him to want to stay here and become 'The guy'.

 

[Beastmode]

We are now like melbourne amd penrith. Everybody looks good playing in our system.

OUR system

Love it

 

[CWC]

In context, 4/5 of our FG ready halves currently are injured. That’s a disaster. Maybe’s that’s why they stacked the half signings, most of them have a poor health history

That’s why I really favor Boyd, he’s the new Pompey. But I think it works out nicely

Metcalf/Boyd, CHT 14

Linnane next up. TMM could be almost season ending check how long it took him in 2023 for the same fracture. Jett, Tia are work in progress, Hansen is probably going, Inch and Thompson are still in Flegg

We literally need a ready to go half on the 6 men bench or running Cup, Metcalf could be absent half the time, we need good back up half if we wanna win the comp

Again we are 1/5 for halves health, I’d extend the guy that’s still standing, and performing, if he maintains it

Next year if we start with Boyd/Metcalf, CHT and Linnane on bench, Jett, Tia, Thompson, Inch another 1-2 years development, and whoever works out and are healthy will take over from aging halves or compassionate released ones.

Better 1 of them turns into a 1/6 like the second rowers play prop, CNK is aging and TT clearly won’t be able to play a full season physically

 

[Canonball]

We arent playing 2x 7s and Metcalf isnt going to revert to playing 6..

Boyd is gone. He's too good to play Cup and we just made out big play for our 7. The question is who plays 6 next to him

I tend to agree - Boyd has proved a very good system player, the control is collective and he is benefiting with clean air - and it's great to watch. The proposition of Metcalf in 2025 was quite different - how he might go this year with this pack playing to these rules is not something we can judge yet of course, but he will have had his own negotiated pre-season of a sort so it's not like we're going in on a massive gamble when he does come back in (and he will - the messaging has been very clear on this )

 

[Wahs_Ultras]

In context, 4/5 of our FG ready halves currently are injured. That’s a disaster. Maybe’s that’s why they stacked the half signings, most of them have a poor health history

That’s why I really favor Boyd, he’s the new Pompey. But I think it works out nicely

Metcalf/Boyd, CHT 14

Linnane next up. TMM could be almost season ending check how long it took him in 2023 for the same fracture. Jett, Tia are work in progress, Hansen is probably going, Inch and Thompson are still in Flegg

We literally need a ready to go half on the 6 men bench or running Cup, Metcalf could be absent half the time, we need good back up half if we wanna win the comp

Again we are 1/5 for halves health, I’d extend the guy that’s still standing, and performing, if he maintains it

Next year if we start with Boyd/Metcalf, CHT and Linnane on bench, Jett, Tia, Thompson, Inch another 1-2 years development, and whoever works out and are healthy will take over from aging halves or compassionate released ones.

Better 1 of them turns into a 1/6 like the second rowers play prop, CNK is aging and TT clearly won’t be able to play a full season physically

Jye and Inch seem pretty versatile as well. Could be integrated anywhere in the backline.

 

[Wah's Up]

Thanks Toddy, we sure dodged a bullet


View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/UitzX6tyWno

 

[Noitall]

Thanks Toddy, we sure dodged a bullt


View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/UitzX6tyWno

Their forum is a bit on the side of they’re losing Purdue too. Gone quiet Taulagi though

 

[tajhay]

Revealed: Hulking Broncos teen at centre of Barnett swap deal as Warriors’ SIX-man hit list named

Revealed: Hulking Broncos teen at centre of swap deal as SIX-man hit list named

www.foxsports.com.au

Broncos development player Antonio Verhoeven has been earmarked by the Warriors as part of a compensation package, while the New Zealand club may also consider Billy Walters, Jesse Arthars, Deine Mariner, Tom Duffy or Jordan Riki.

Hopefully we get Verhoeven, or Deine Mariner as a last resort.

If we get Riki, we are stupid.

 

[Defence]

I’d love mariner but from what I’ve heard both on the forum and from mutual friends the mariners aren’t big warrior fans.
Verhoeven Would be an exciting signing.
TBH if we’re losing both Marata and capewell I wouldn’t be mad with Riki either.

 

[CWC]

Ya it’s been over 48 hours, who are they giving us? Hope we still hold the right to sign off. Kid touring our facility?

 

[Kestrel84]

I realise that Hallensteins have Aussie based stores also, but I've previously only ever seen Warriors players partner up with Hallensteins... Now this email today welcoming aboard Jesse Arthars..

Anyone know if this has happened before with non-Warriors players? And if not, could there be a little more to this than meets the eye?

 

[Matiunz]

I realise that Hallensteins have Aussie based stores also, but I've previously only ever seen Warriors players partner up with Hallensteins... Now this email today welcoming aboard Jesse Arthars..

Anyone know if this has happened before with non-Warriors players? And if not, could there be a little more to this than meets the eye?

View attachment 16288

There’s only a handful of stores around Brisbane, there was one that opened recently in Parramatta Westfield but it seemed to close down very quickly- could just be trying to get more brand awareness with a local athlete?

 

[Sammyw]

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

 

[Falcon]

Thought of the week.
Is Ali Leiataua a back rower playing centre?

 

[Garry Saloon]

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

I genuinely think Metcalf needs cup reps, at least if we're still smashing teams by the time he's fit.

 

[Makasene]

I genuinely think Metcalf needs cup reps, at least if we're still smashing teams by the time he's fit.

I think it should be up to Metcalf, but typically you wouldn't see your star player coming back through reserve grade.

I expect he'll be named on the 6 man bench at 19, he'll be available but might not play, maybe get on late if the game is going well. Won't be long before he starts (at 6).