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

 

[Playdaball]

I don’t see CHT leaving and don’t think clubs see him as player that will leave the Warriors, which means he will get resigned on the cheap.

What about CHT going to a Brisbane club to keep an eye on his Brother who is signed with the Broncos? Just a though as a lot of people here talk about the Clearys being tight and wanting to play together.

 

[Playdaball]

A side note, RL legends such as Vatuvei and Wiki played for the Warriors reserve grade side, so why can't the likes of Metcalf and CNK do the same?

 

[Tokyo Warrior]

According to a Nine News article, Tanah Boyd and CHT are at the top of a "hit list" of halves being compiled by the Dragons for next season. Both are currently off-contract after this year. Can't see the Warriors letting this situation stay as is, but if both carry on their good form for the rest of the season they will surely need to have upgraded pay. Can the Warriors afford to have 3 halves on the upper part of the pay scale? Which one would they let go if it had to come to that?

https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/n...-scott-drinkwater-roster-20260421-p5zpxy.html

If the Dragons could get Boyd, CHT, and Fuller at market value then it would instantly rejuvenate their side with Keon and all their young forwards coming through. Hope they don't!

 

[CWC]

According to a Nine News article, Tanah Boyd and CHT are at the top of a "hit list" of halves being compiled by the Dragons for next season. Both are currently off-contract after this year. Can't see the Warriors letting this situation stay as is, but if both carry on their good form for the rest of the season they will surely need to have upgraded pay. Can the Warriors afford to have 3 halves on the upper part of the pay scale? Which one would they let go if it had to come to that?

https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/n...-scott-drinkwater-roster-20260421-p5zpxy.html

That's like an opinion piece lol

The biggest bait we have for Cleary would be having a half combo of Cleary/Cleary and winning a premiership together.

Realistically how much does Cleary's salary need to be? We've clearly got history - Ivan's time here, Webby's mentor, early release for Fish, sent Jett here, and taking in Lussick/Ale/Going and giving them FG time. A maiden premiership (or a maiden 3-peat ) would be a strong challenge and story arc, and he'd be a hero on both sides of the tasman, the panthers/warriors games might play for a trophy named after him.

You could literally send Metcalf, Boyd, TMM to AUS that could be enough for his salary, you'd end up with Cleary/CHT/Jett/Linnane/Inch, if unsure they can extend TMM for a year on the cheap for insurance

 

[Christchurch_Warrior]

According to a Nine News article, Tanah Boyd and CHT are at the top of a "hit list" of halves being compiled by the Dragons for next season. Both are currently off-contract after this year. Can't see the Warriors letting this situation stay as is, but if both carry on their good form for the rest of the season they will surely need to have upgraded pay. Can the Warriors afford to have 3 halves on the upper part of the pay scale? Which one would they let go if it had to come to that?

https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/n...-scott-drinkwater-roster-20260421-p5zpxy.html

Would be smart if the Dragons went for Boyd and CHT. You get a halves pairing that works well together. They would just need to make sure they have the forwards that can lay a platform and they could make the 8 next year. The reality is that we are likely to lose one of them.

 

[skinnydippng]

naively holding out hope that CHT did not fight through the covid years, rupture a nut, go off live his life for a year and then return as if he hadn’t had a year off, to finally getting recognition as a great 6, to walk out on what we’re building

from memory he did say he didn’t like living in aus back in the covid years but that could have just been because he was separated from family

 

[Theking267]

What about CHT going to a Brisbane club to keep an eye on his Brother who is signed with the Broncos? Just a though as a lot of people here talk about the Clearys being tight and wanting to play together.

Can’t see the Broncos signing him at this stage just because Jonah Pezet is signed there for next year and Ben Hunt wants to continue playing in 27

 

[Hitro]

naively holding out hope that CHT did not fight through the covid years, rupture a nut, go off live his life for a year and then return as if he hadn’t had a year off, to finally getting recognition as a great 6, to walk out on what we’re building

from memory he did say he didn’t like living in aus back in the covid years but that could have just been because he was separated from family

Assume the big question is what are they prepared to offer him $ wise. I would expect that is why a deal hasn't been done. he'll be wanting starting half money for sure (and rightly so) They've got one eye on Linnane, Cleary and the others and are keen to keep him on a reasonable contract so he could be utilised as a 14 potentially in the future without screwing the cap?

 

[Fizurg]

One thing id hope the Warriors are weary of is placing too much faith in talented players coming through. The team has had a string on "next big thing" halves over the years and none have ended being anything remarkable since SJ. There's a real justification for holding proven players. "A Boyd in the hand is worth two in the bush":

 

[Noitall]

Can’t see the Broncos signing him at this stage just because Jonah Pezet is signed there for next year and Ben Hunt wants to continue playing in 27

In saying that, apparently Wayne Bennett wants Ben Hunt at the rabbits next year

 

[WAH MAN]

I speculate lots. And bet zero.

But I think Chitty will stay.

No idea about Boyd but.

 

[BabylonPink]

Cht to stay.
Tanah if he goes real well will earn a contract elsewhere. It's wierd but at some point , Luke needs to take the 7 off him... somehow. Otherwise we signed the wrong half?

I mean no point playing met at 6.

 

[CWC]

 

[sup42]

If we win the premiership this year I'd be ok with them both going but it feels like the club are playing medium ball. A few notches below hard ball.

I would be devastated if the Warriors halves pairing plays most of the season that gets us into the final game and those two are not here the following year.

Win or lose that would be an epic fail made all the more unbearable if we actually won the dam thing.

The what ifs the come down, the start all over when you had the pieces within your hands would be heart breaking.

I think the Warriors need to do everything in their power to pivot on their plan for Metcalf and go all in on Boyd and CHT.

I really do. I think we have seen now with our own eyes that those two click, they have the complimentary balance and chemistry which goes on to produce winning seasons.

 

[sup42]

Cht to stay.
Tanah if he goes real well will earn a contract elsewhere. It's wierd but at some point , Luke needs to take the 7 off him... somehow. Otherwise we signed the wrong half?

I mean no point playing met at 6.

Not aimed at you.

But my belief is, so what if we signed the wrong half.

Sign the right half and deal with the Cap hit on the gamble you took on the wrong bloke, it is how every other NRL team operates, they all gamble on combos and big signings that sometimes just don't pay off.

 

[Theking267]

In saying that, apparently Wayne Bennett wants Ben Hunt at the rabbits next year

I suppose the only issue for Wayne Bennett would be wether there is enough money with Payne Haas arriving next year to the Rabbitohs.

 

[Ever Hopeful]

I don’t see CHT leaving and don’t think clubs see him as player that will leave the Warriors, which means he will get resigned on the cheap. Boyd is more likely to leave but he seems like he would prefer to stay after turning down the Cowboys last year.

I hope the club doesn't have this attitude. We should be paying our players what they are worth, not looking to pay them unders. Leave it to other clubs to pay overs like we used to, but show you value your players by paying them as their status deserves. Let the ones go that don't fit the clubs need for what their fair market value is. Otherwise there will be a shit culture and the club will have a shit reputation.

You can build a well managed cap by not paying unders or overs, but fairly and taking advantage of a juniors system that provides you with talent before their star rises to skew the cap.

 

[skinnydippng]

I don’t see Chanel’s year off as any sort of slight against his passion for the club / his reliability either - I think he shows with his efforts on field that he is a good team guy / hype man

If you asked me (which nobody is), if he stays i’d make him co-captain with Fish next year..

 

[Dead Man Switch]

The problem is I think the Warriors perform much better with Tanah Boyd at half with his kicking game controlling things. Luke Metcalf is a running threat (With decent passing ability) but not a controlling half.

CHT is performing better too beside Tanah Boyd. While he is handling the ball a lot less than he did with Metcalf, he is receiving the ball at opportune times and better positioning on the park - resulting in him scoring more points this year.

CHT has won me over at #6 - given he is also the best defensive half in the comp. The CHT/Boyd pairing is complementing this team perfectly.

Now with more threats on the park - RTS at centre, AFP (Speed), Ali L (Impact), Tuaupiki (Agility), Leka (Power), DWZ (Finishing) - and threats to come... Warbrick (Weapon), Fatialofa (Leka-like), Bishop Neal (Blockbusting), Makaia Tafua (Dynamic runner). I see the far greater need to have a conductor in Tanah Boyd run the ship. We need that balance.

Jye Linnane is there and Jett Cleary and Jack Thompson are coming through to. We need to account for them in the future roster depth.

Metcalf for me is our Fullback in waiting. And we will benefit majorly from him haven run the ship from halfback in the NRL. He could play a role very similar to what Papenhuyzen did at the Storm.

That is a pretty awesome spine

1. Metcalf - TT/Linnane
6. CHT - Jack Thompson
7. BOYD - Cleary
9. Egan - Healey/Tafua

********* Who would want to get injured at the Warriors.... dam well lose your position almost guaranteed!

 

[CWC]

The problem is I think the Warriors perform much better with Tanah Boyd at half with his kicking game controlling things. Luke Metcalf is a running threat (With decent passing ability) but not a controlling half.

CHT is performing better too beside Tanah Boyd. While he is handling the ball a lot less than he did with Metcalf, he is receiving the ball at opportune times and better positioning on the park - resulting in him scoring more points this year.

CHT has won me over at #6 - given he is also the best defensive half in the comp. The CHT/Boyd pairing is complementing this team perfectly.

Now with more threats on the park - RTS at centre, AFP (Speed), Ali L (Impact), Tuaupiki (Agility), Leka (Power), DWZ (Finishing) - and threats to come... Warbrick (Weapon), Fatialofa (Leka-like), Bishop Neal (Blockbusting), Makaia Tafua (Dynamic runner). I see the far greater need to have a conductor in Tanah Boyd run the ship. We need that balance.

Jye Linnane is there and Jett Cleary and Jack Thompson are coming through to. We need to account for them in the future roster depth.

Metcalf for me is our Fullback in waiting. And we will benefit majorly from him haven run the ship from halfback in the NRL. He could play a role very similar to what Papenhuyzen did at the Storm.

That is a pretty awesome spine

1. Metcalf - TT/Linnane
6. CHT - Jack Thompson
7. BOYD - Cleary
9. Egan - Healey/Tafua

********* Who would want to get injured at the Warriors.... dam well lose your position almost guaranteed!

I thought JT is a 7 and Cleary a 6 or is it the other way around?
Ya I think Metcalf at 1 logistically works the best to justify salary cap, massage the ego and upgrade our FB threat, the only barrier is his body.