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

 

[Garry Saloon]

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).

I was all in on Metcalf as our half, but let's be clear, he was having star moments in games with his speed and instincts, but his role as a half was still very much a work in progress. In other words I don't think he was making the guys around him better in the same way Boyd and CHT have been. Right now we're playing as a team and I'd be a bit worried about him disrupting that on return. He's a star in the sense that he looks like he has a massively high ceiling, and in a market somewhat starved of star halves he could earn a lot of money and a lot of teams would have him. He's not a star in the sense that he's the finished product.

 

[Noitall]

I was all in on Metcalf as our half, but let's be clear, he was having star moments in games with his speed and instincts, but his role as a half was still very much a work in progress. In other words I don't think he was making the guys around him better in the same way Boyd and CHT have been. Right now we're playing as a team and I'd be a bit worried about him disrupting that on return. He's a star in the sense that he looks like he has a massively high ceiling, and in a market somewhat starved of star halves he could earn a lot of money and a lot of teams would have him. He's not a star in the sense that he's the finished product.

I think a big thing for Metcalf and Boyd for the beginning of 2025 and 2026 of their respective glimpses of early form is they had a full settled preseason and knew they had the keys to the pack and I think that belief goes a long way. At the end of the day when fully fit, both guys are playing behind a rolls royce forward pack

 

[WarriorsNrlFanatics]

If Warbrick does sign. Where does this see Hayze Mellars future. Will he hang around the club or go back to Aussie

 

[Hitro]

If Warbrick does sign. Where does this see Hayze Mellars future. Will he hang around the club or go back to Aussie

Even if we resign RTS I still think he sticks around. He’s only 21 I think, plenty of growth in the next couple of years on the way to being a starting winger

 

[Billyspleen75]

If Warbrick does sign. Where does this see Hayze Mellars future. Will he hang around the club or go back to Aussie

Warbrick on one wing, Mellars on the other

 

[CWC]

WW will be 29 next year and Roger/Dallin might be on their way out, so any fringe player wanting a crack at FG we're the club lol

 

[Horriors2013]

Anyone know if the rumour about Marata going to knights is true? Nostradamus posted it.

 

[MrFrankWhite]

Even if we resign RTS I still think he sticks around. He’s only 21 I think, plenty of growth in the next couple of years on the way to being a starting winger

Every single time RTS has been asked, he gives the most noncommittal answer possible. We aren’t re-signing him.

 

[Tokyo Warrior]

Every single time RTS has been asked, he gives the most noncommittal answer possible. We aren’t re-signing him.

He also half-jokingly commented on his brother's YT vid that he would be going with Marky-Mark to Japan (the content was made just before the Roosters game).

 

[WAH MAN]

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

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

If we get Riki, we are stupid.

We're less stupid two games in and one off season of recruitments.

 

[Sammyw]

We're less stupid two games in and one off season of recruitments.

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

 

[Billyspleen75]

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

Mariner is apparently going to be dropped for Grant Anderson this week.
I haven't watched a full Broncos game, just highlights, so not sure if it's form related or not, but still

 

[Wahs_Ultras]

Haven’t watched much of Verhoeven, is he similar to Makasini? Look to be similar lean and tall builds

 

[Dannevegas]

If Warbrick does sign. Where does this see Hayze Mellars future. Will he hang around the club or go back to Aussie

I rate Akp, Norris and Kali higher than him

 

[Dannevegas]

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

Don’t think you’ve watched enough Broncos games, Riki is terrible.
I’d probably play Sikuvea at second row before him. Our 6th or7th choice back rower

 

[watcher]

Verhoeven isn’t even in the broncos top 30- barnetts an Australian front rower.
They’ll drive him to the airport.

Verhoeven isn’t even in the broncos top 30- barnetts an Australian front rower.
They’ll drive him to the airport.

Reminiscent of Walsh

 

[Blain]

I find the trade thing a bit off.. Verhoeven might have 0 desire to come here. Same as Mariner. Just seems weird to me that we can force a player into our camp. There is a clearer avenue for one of those guys to being first grade centres here then the Broncos, especially if Shibasaki is re signed.

I really hope we manage to get one of these guys, but most of all hope they come with the right intent.

 

[CWC]

I find the trade thing a bit off.. Verhoeven might have 0 desire to come here. Same as Mariner. Just seems weird to me that we can force a player into our camp. There is a clearer avenue for one of those guys to being first grade centres here then the Broncos, especially if Shibasaki is re signed.

I really hope we manage to get one of these guys, but most of all hope they come with the right intent.

The way we are turning fringe players into Dally M leaders or regular starters to SOO reps I think we are a pretty attractive location for career driven players especially we’re inquiring certain players because that’s our weak spots with an easy pathway to FG

As long as we get them for Barney’s 2027 it’s a good deal ideally being a kiwi prevents compassionate release too

 

[tajhay]

I find the trade thing a bit off.. Verhoeven might have 0 desire to come here. Same as Mariner. Just seems weird to me that we can force a player into our camp. There is a clearer avenue for one of those guys to being first grade centres here then the Broncos, especially if Shibasaki is re signed.

I really hope we manage to get one of these guys, but most of all hope they come with the right intent.

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.

 

[Defence]

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.