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: 23/30
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, 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

 

[Tookey 2.0]

I think it indicates that he was on far less at the Broncos for 2026 and 2027, and Broncos revised offer to stay was also much less than what he signed on at the Warriors for. I think its fair to say we are currently overpaying for him, and once he is a Warrior, just hope he is able to play to the value we have placed on him for 3 years.

Not fair at all. Currently we aren't even paying him

Haha no, hes a tricky one to place - $400k - reasonable money but not terrible either. If Rocco was on 500k, then this is a great result.
He surely wouldn't have been on less than 300k at the Broncos, so even if he's worth more between 300-350k I dont think you can be too dissappinted at what we paid. Given our injury prone backline the last few years how valuable would this bloke have been, I think that ability to line up anywhere in the back line up if theres an injury will be invaluable nek year

 

[KPWarrior]

Couple of Storm blokes at work described him as "versitile", can play both sides, filled in for Coates or Meaney when needed, solid without being spectactular, pretty much how we describe Pompey.

I'm not against the signing, he'll get my full support and I love the way the club is turning the "compassionate release" into a bargaining chip, I'd just prefer it was done before the player actually signs with another club.

 

[WAH MAN]

Anderson > Pompey > Berry

Its professional sports and Pompey isnt that guy

Pompey's value is his durability. Dependable. Has good moments. Can score a try. Can setup a winger. Can goal kick.

He's not exactly x factor but a great "team" guy. Depth? Sure but he might consider offers elsewhere if he gets demoted.

 

[CWC]

Couple of Storm blokes at work described him as "versitile", can play both sides, filled in for Coates or Meaney when needed, solid without being spectactular, pretty much how we describe Pompey.

I'm not against the signing, he'll get my full support and I love the way the club is turning the "compassionate release" into a bargaining chip, I'd just prefer it was done before the player actually signs with another club.

Hopefully they learn from this deal, it’s the first case and they will probably produce better swaps in the future

 

[Muddogz]

Andersons strength is his versatility. From his highlights it looks like he can play both sides and either centre and wing. He’ll be able to slot in and keep players honest in a bunch of positions.

I’m not convinced he’s going to be a great player but 400k these days isn’t going to break the bank and when you’ve got the likes of AKP, Ali, Berry and Mellars who have risk for various reasons it’s good to have a high floor low ceiling player in the mix.

 

[~Navigator~]

Andersons strength is his versatility. From his highlights it looks like he can play both sides and either centre and wing. He’ll be able to slot in and keep players honest in a bunch of positions.

I’m not convinced he’s going to be a great player but 400k these days isn’t going to break the bank and when you’ve got the likes of AKP, Ali, Berry and Mellars who have risk for various reasons it’s good to have a high floor low ceiling player in the mix.

Dude I would be happy to leave Brisbane for $400,000 a year and come home, I can't say I would make first grade but once the beer belly is gone I might make the reserves as a water boy

 

[MrFrankWhite]

Pompey's value is his durability. Dependable. Has good moments. Can score a try. Can setup a winger. Can goal kick.

He's not exactly x factor but a great "team" guy. Depth? Sure but he might consider offers elsewhere if he gets demoted.

Sure I really like him, but I see it as a battle between him and Ali. And Im not sure anyone is rushing to sign Pompey as a top 1/2 center

 

[WAH MAN]

Sure I really like him, but I see it as a battle between him and Ali. And Im not sure anyone is rushing to sign Pompey as a top 1/2 center

Yeah he's great as a 3rd best. Because if your x factor guys pull hammies or blow ACL's Pompey is that next guy who can play the amount of games it takes to rehab an ACl etc.

 

[WHB]

Pompey might not be a star center.

I know his opponents respect him.

I reckon he holds his spot.

I wrapped Anderson last year in a post.
He has some classy touches about him.
Plays wing/center/half.
Probably be a classy lock as well.

Be shocked if Pompey makes way though.

 

[Cces]

Anderson hasn't played any reserve grade as a half. 1 NRL start at #7, in a Rd 26 Storm side resting Hughes,, Grant & others ahead of the playoffs. An injury to Papi after 14 mins meant a reshuffle so he's a half in the same sense as Erin Clark is.
His versatility will be a fantastic addition but surely Webster got his signature on the basis of a consistent Centre spot

 

[Defence]

Interesting names reminds me of the young Eels prop

View attachment 16925

Maybe we should sign him? (in the interest of keeping the thread on track)

Please tell me this is a.i.
Mind u one of my best mates is a Mike hunt. I asked his mum why she would do that and she said she always wanted a boy named michael and just didn’t think about the fact she married a hunt.
I came up with the idea he should open a bottle store- Mike hunt liquor- people would go there just for the merch.

 

[Defence]

I really don’t get the Anderson signing.
Is it possible the broncos are chipping in? Do they see a combination with warbrick ? (Can’t really remember but feel like they played different sides of the field at the storm?), Do we need a (relatively) cheap outside back as we have another big signing lined up? with his versatility do they see him as the ideal outside back to carry on a six man bench? Or is he just good coverage when the inevitable injuries strike?
Hard to say but one things for sure- cappy and Webby are no fools and I’m sure there’s a method to the madness.

 

[Defence]

On another note… are any of those Moana Pacifica players worth looking at and realistic option?

 

[Boston Boy]

On another note… are any of those Moana Pacifica players worth looking at and realistic option?

Almost every Rugby convert is stretched by league trainings. There's definitely raw power and talent in MP but they look nowhere close to league fit. Maybe Miracle Failagi? However he will be the number 1 target of many teams, including Europe. I think you would be looking at young loose forwards and a few backs?

 

[j_p]

I'm guessing/hoping they would be currently in contract talks with cht. Just seen the article of webby saying he was one of the best players of the game so they're obviously noticing it and he's been there alongside metcalf also when we were winning(article is in 1 of the last few posts in cht thread).
But I also think boyd is a priority with metcalfs injury history. Boyd first choice for now then they share the role for the near future. They're both still relatively early in there career arcs. If boyd stays in this form then sorry metcalf you either stay as backup or possibly fb or early release.

 

[Naynay]

I'm guessing/hoping they would be currently in contract talks with cht. Just seen the article of webby saying he was one of the best players of the game so they're obviously noticing it and he's been there alongside metcalf also when we were winning(article is in 1 of the last few posts in cht thread).
But I also think boyd is a priority with metcalfs injury history. Boyd first choice for now then they share the role for the near future. They're both still relatively early in there career arcs. If boyd stays in this form then sorry metcalf you either stay as backup or possibly fb or early release.

Could be making room for both boyd and CHT with marata, Barney and Dallin going, warbrick and Anderson together surely cant be close the the money the 3 were on. Especially if the marata and dwz rumoured amounts are close to accurate.

 

[chrisnz]

I think metcalf experiment should be over he is another turbo or ponga can break the odd game for you and produce some highlight reels but win a premiership perhaps not anderson is a natural footy player and I'm happy to wheel him out most weeks hopefully the 2 Andy's do some more hoodoo and make a gun out of crumbs again because he does have a bit of spark and I think his best asset is positioning always where he meant to be should see the rainbow ball also have to go back and look but if he and warbrick did make a good combo at some stage during storm stint maybe we are trying to bring them back together

 

[Inruin]

I think the recruitment team have done what most fans have wanted. Bought speed into our backline. And they are also younger than RTS and DWZ. And hopefully less injury prone than Berry.

 

[Noitall]

I think metcalf experiment should be over he is another turbo or ponga can break the odd game for you and produce some highlight reels but win a premiership perhaps not anderson is a natural footy player and I'm happy to wheel him out most weeks hopefully the 2 Andy's do some more hoodoo and make a gun out of crumbs again because he does have a bit of spark and I think his best asset is positioning always where he meant to be should see the rainbow ball also have to go back and look but if he and warbrick did make a good combo at some stage during storm stint maybe we are trying to bring them back together

I wonder if the club thinks Boyd or CHT are the ones to get them to where they want to go to? I wouldn’t be surprised if the club wants to retain CHT, but as a utility and backup? No evidence for me to suggest that, but if it’s the case, that might not be what he wants? It would be great to keep him being a product of the club. These guys unsigned and Cleary going market is interesting I think because I don’t think Cleary is the type to hold panthers to ransom for more money, and doesn’t need to. They’d give it to him willingly. Really hope our feelers are out there if it’s a new challenge he’s seeking. Money would a be lure for super league and his Mrs, but no challenge for him. PNG might be an option for tax free $?

 

[MrFrankWhite]

I think the recruitment team have done what most fans have wanted. Bought speed into our backline. And they are also younger than RTS and DWZ. And hopefully less injury prone than Berry.

They are also moving veterans on before they hit the wall.