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: 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

 

[rugged]

Hand on heart do you think Boyd can go to another level at finals time?

Hand on heart will Luke stay fit long enough for us to get a top four finishing position?

I understand the reluctance to have all three but I think we have to sign CHT - he is the only one that actually wants the 6 jumper. For next year we could have all three while they sort out if Luke can string together a decent number of games and if Tannah is going to keep developing. I would think the overall value of our spine would still be line with most clubs.

 

[Rick O’Shay]

As much as it likely comes across as I’m hating on the guy I’d say the same of all our halves, but the more appearances, the more accustomed they will become. 2023 was a window really because of SJ’s purple patch of form and even throughout his career we weren’t exactly regulars at finals time. I’ve mentioned constantly that I back the club to make the right calls and nothings changed

Not at all. You rightly question whether he has the bottle based on what happened last year and at the time especially the Newy game where he was like a deer in the headlights.

Not sure what has happened in the off season but his play this year is exactly what a team like us needs. Some structure and the ability to create shape to utilise the skills we now have. Plus a decent kicking game.

IMO, as long as we have parity or are dominating the ruck, Boyd and CHT will be fine. The odd missed conversion will happen.

As has been asked in a few threads, what happens with Metcalf? I really have no idea but figure the brains trust will have been sweating bricks on it. Up to me, make him 14 until we see where things are heading.

Still think Healy will end up somewhere as a 13.

 

[timburgesstheonlyoneiknow]

What really strikes me with retention and recruiting is the amazing job the Warrior's organisation is doing.
It's clear that a healthy ,competitive squad culture trumps alot of our conjecture. When players are genuinely "sold" on the club's ideals , regardless of exactly who plays where, you see success.
Witness Manly, Tigers , Broncos, Rabbitos turnaround and the faith in Cleary at Penrith that paid off last season despite a dire start. At the other end you've got/had good players just checking out namely Dragons and Storm.
At Nrl level we've seen that for most of our time. Hopeless Ownership organisation, and coaches and recruitment.
Isn't it fantastic just to trust in the Club and the coaches believing they'll do their best given the players throughout the grades who want to be on the journey , with a next man up policy and a club that has integrity.
Good times. So whether it's TMM, CHT, LM , TB I'm relaxed knowing that the experts are

Yes.

Same question can be asked of the whole team. If they are reaching another level it will make it easy for both halfs

Guy can't do it on his own nor should he be expected to.

Will he choke as you suggest?, maybe, however we are already seeing some subtle increases in confidence.

Nailed the conversion to win us the game on the weekend. Pretty

First three games of this season Boyd and CHT combo was on fire eh.

I am with you, in that I do not think Boyd and CHT for that matter need to find higher levels, they just need to win their moments with the ball and let the collective effort of the team put us in the big dance.

Extremely likely that anyone who wants to wear the ring is going to have to beat the Panthers. You could elevate Boyd as much as you want, but it won't match Nathan Cleary's best....to win a game like that we would have to have our forwards play the games of their lives and neutralize Cleary.

No halfback in this competition will elevate to Cleary finals level if Cleary's forwards give him free reign.

Totally agree. If Boyd is a 7 out of 10 player. I think Metcalfe is a

Not at all. You rightly question whether he has the bottle based on what happened last year and at the time especially the Newy game where he was like a deer in the headlights.

Not sure what has happened in the off season but his play this year is exactly what a team like us needs. Some structure and the ability to create shape to utilise the skills we now have. Plus a decent kicking game.

IMO, as long as we have parity or are dominating the ruck, Boyd and CHT will be fine. The odd missed conversion will happen.

As has been asked in a few threads, what happens with Metcalf? I really have no idea but figure the brains trust will have been sweating bricks on it. Up to me, make him 14 until we see where things are heading.

Still think Healy will end up somewhere as a 13.

It is nice problem for Webby to have. I also like the look of LH as well. Whilst not a world beater could develop into a handy utility.

I like Healy as well. With Eden extending his deal i am not sure where he fits into the picture longer term. As i am sure he woll want more game time.

Credit to the club in creating sone depth and competition.

 

[Noitall]

Not at all. You rightly question whether he has the bottle based on what happened last year and at the time especially the Newy game where he was like a deer in the headlights.

Not sure what has happened in the off season but his play this year is exactly what a team like us needs. Some structure and the ability to create shape to utilise the skills we now have. Plus a decent kicking game.

IMO, as long as we have parity or are dominating the ruck, Boyd and CHT will be fine. The odd missed conversion will happen.

As has been asked in a few threads, what happens with Metcalf? I really have no idea but figure the brains trust will have been sweating bricks on it. Up to me, make him 14 until we see where things are heading.

Still think Healy will end up somewhere as a 13.

I’ve created some conversation tonight at least. I’ll be really interested in the length of the extension they offer Boyd. In reality if Metcalf was fit he starts the season but Boyd has taken his opportunity and it’ll be unpopular and only my view that’s likely wrong but I see this as a bit like Sexton at bulldogs. I think the bulldogs would have liked to have kept Sexton as backup but they blew it with how it was handled bringing Galvin in and I think we’ll potentially manage a similar situation better and keep Boyd as backup with his blessing that this is how it is? If we keep Boyd as our first choice 7, I think Metcalf plays 6 and CHT backup or bench or gone? I think we still have plans for Metcalf and at $900+k per year, I don’t see him playing off the bench

 

[Sammyw]

Having 3 starting level halves isn’t really a stretch, I don’t get the concern. Plus a payrise for TB still does t have him breaking the bank. If broncs can have Reynolds hunt and mam we can have our 3. Especially considering Metcalf can’t stay fit

 

[Makasene]

Hand on heart do you think Boyd can go to another level at finals time?

No I don't think so, we have seen the best of him, and it's very good. There is no higher level for him.

He won't lift us off the canvas if the forwards are getting dominated.

But I would argue that nor should he. I think our gameplan is pretty beautiful, win the ruck, control the middle and lay a platform for Boyd to do his work, CHT chimes in when needed.

I'd argue that our success comes down to JFH, Egan, Ford, Clark, Barny, Leka, Demi - if these guys can do their job then Boyd's stock standard game looks like Joey Johns

 

[rugged]

[

He won't lift us off the canvas if the forwards are getting dominated.

How many halves can actually lift a team off the canvas when there forwards are being dominated?

The most common way for this to happen is through a good long kicking game. Have seen several times this year when we have had a poor set and Tannahs boot has had the opposition still coming out from there own end. It’s not sexy but it is classical 7s play.