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

 

[Dannevegas]

Hi mate. I like Metcalf, but I’ve always thought he’s more a 6 than a 7.

However the club had no real 7 option on the horizon after SJ and I didn’t think Boyd was the guy, so I was happy enough with the Metcalf to 7 plan.

With Boyd going to another level the situation has changed - we have another quality 7 option. Is he a better 7 than Luke? Jury is still out because we probably don’t have a big enough sample from either.

Is Luke a better 6 than Chanel? I think his ceiling is higher, but ceilings aren’t everything if you are only fit 50% of the time.

So it’s a wicked problem.

Then there’s the question of who the senior players like Fish most respect and want to play with.

But let me put it this way - if I was Perth and could choose any 2 of the 3 to start a new club, and I thought they all had the same attitude, I’d choose Metcalf 6 and Boyd 7.

Keen to know your thoughts on Metcalf at Fullback? To be he’s the perfect fit, question marks on his defence at the back, but I’m sure his attacking upside will make up for it.

Taine plays the same role as Charnze does despite being 75 kilos. Both have plenty of carries and both are poor at being involved in try’s.

Surely we turn our fullback into a strike weapon who can ice those 3 on 2 opportunities and is a good support player, that is Metcalf.

Also against the dolphins, there was at least 4 line breaks that I think if we had an instinctive supporting fullback we take advantage of that.

 

[WAH MAN]

I had heard some in his camp weren’t happy he wasn’t put straight back in and I believe there will be a meeting which is probably a good thing so everyone knows where they stand.
Don’t know about talks with other clubs but I’m sure he would have options if the warriors were willing to let him explore them.

Send him to the Broncos and get us a fullback that paints his nails and a young winger named Antonio.

Pezet ain't him apparently

 

[3rdstriker]

Keen to know your thoughts on Metcalf at Fullback? To be he’s the perfect fit, question marks on his defence at the back, but I’m sure his attacking upside will make up for it.

Taine plays the same role as Charnze does despite being 75 kilos. Both have plenty of carries and both are poor at being involved in try’s.

Surely we turn our fullback into a strike weapon who can ice those 3 on 2 opportunities and is a good support player, that is Metcalf.

Also against the dolphins, there was at least 4 line breaks that I think if we had an instinctive supporting fullback we take advantage of that.

Can't TT stay on the feild longer?

 

[Buzz Killington]

For what it’s worth..

View attachment 17232

This comparison literally shows two things. 1. Who is the better player. 2. Who is the better halfback.
I feel the team is better with Boyd.

 

[Fonzie]

Keen to know your thoughts on Metcalf at Fullback? To be he’s the perfect fit, question marks on his defence at the back, but I’m sure his attacking upside will make up for it.

Taine plays the same role as Charnze does despite being 75 kilos. Both have plenty of carries and both are poor at being involved in try’s.

Surely we turn our fullback into a strike weapon who can ice those 3 on 2 opportunities and is a good support player, that is Metcalf.

Also against the dolphins, there was at least 4 line breaks that I think if we had an instinctive supporting fullback we take advantage of that.

I think he would handle most of the offensive side of fullback fine, but at this stage of his career I think it’s a bridge too far - lots to learn, and a lot of strain on an injury prone body.

 

[skinnydippng]

obviously, numbers and stats aren't everything but just for reference from nrl site

 

[KPWarrior]

I'd love to see Luke get back to 2025 form, but even then it's always going to be in the back of our minds now...... 'how long does this last'......

 

[Jaffa J]

Metcalf seeking clarity on his position at the club is understandable it was the last quote i didn’t like “happy to play 5/8 in the short term” if you’re chitty that would motivate/piss you off

 

[Buzz Killington]

This is my opinion on Boyd and whether or not he can go up a level. I feel that Boyd is the sort of player that when the team is playing shit, he will look shit! As he struggles to drive a struggling team around the field, he wont be able to pull off any magic. But if the team is gelling and playing well, he will continue to get into a groove. Like the NSW cup finals, he was man of the match for consecutive games. The better the team goes, the better he will go. I would bet that is the team is rolling, he would be hitting 40/20s and pulling rabbits out of his ass!

 

[Garry Saloon]

This is my opinion on Boyd and whether or not he can go up a level. I feel that Boyd is the sort of player that when the team is playing shit, he will look shit! As he struggles to drive a struggling team around the field, he wont be able to pull off any magic. But if the team is gelling and playing well, he will continue to get into a groove. Like the NSW cup finals, he was man of the match for consecutive games. The better the team goes, the better he will go. I would bet that is the team is rolling, he would be hitting 40/20s and pulling rabbits out of his ass!

I think this is true, and conversely, I think Metcalf would be more capable of grabbing the game by the scruff of the neck and hauling is out of a losing position to victory.

 

[Blain]

If true, and he is disgruntled.. If you look at Boyd's attitude and grind in 2025, the drive and desire is worlds apart. Boyd is the first proper NRL 7 we've had other than SJ (would argue his second stint only, played mostly like a 6 early on) for YEARS. Perhaps even decades. His kicking game is one of the best in the competition, which we have always lacked.

Metcalf clutched up several times last year, and showed us his attacking potential. He was brilliant at times. But in between individual plays, our team was a bloody hard watch. We were disjointed and sloppy on attack. This year year looking slick, and a large part of that could be down to Boyd.

I dunno where this will go, I want to keep these 3 guys, but perhaps that's just not possible with them all worthy of being an NRL half. Careers are short, I won't hold a grudge on any of these guys if one leaves.

 

[~Navigator~]

This is my opinion on Boyd and whether or not he can go up a level. I feel that Boyd is the sort of player that when the team is playing shit, he will look shit! As he struggles to drive a struggling team around the field, he wont be able to pull off any magic. But if the team is gelling and playing well, he will continue to get into a groove. Like the NSW cup finals, he was man of the match for consecutive games. The better the team goes, the better he will go. I would bet that is the team is rolling, he would be hitting 40/20s and pulling rabbits out of his ass!

SJ looked shit trying to lead a struggling team around the park, the team is playing for one another right now and I don't think mets slips right back in.

 

[Ever Hopeful]

This comparison literally shows two things. 1. Who is the better player. 2. Who is the better halfback.
I feel the team is better with Boyd.

It's not that cut and dry. Stats usually aren't.

Yes Boyd, on the back of the forward back, has set the team up nicely. He has had very little disruption to deal with so far.

Metcalf had a multitude of centres last year (we had a lot of in game injuries), Capewell 4-5 games in a row, Ali, Pompey, Berry, Graham-Taufa, Niukore filled in

Taine and Kosi had a wing for many of his games.

Leka hadn't really arrived. There was very little other point of attack. A lot of Metcalf's stats were him taking the game by the scruff of the neck in tight contests with few other options.

I think Boyd makes the players around him better than Metcalf does, but Metcalf is a further point of attack himself and I'd like to see him get a fair crack. Some posters are dismissing him, and that is unfair imho. Throw an attack with Metcalf, Leka and AKP contributing and where does the defence look. But then you have to have someone organise that moment in the first place - Tanah's strength. Then you have to have someone earn our way to that position with defence and commitment - CHT?!

 

[Buzz Killington]

I think this is true, and conversely, I think Metcalf would be more capable of grabbing the game by the scruff of the neck and hauling is out of a losing position to victory.

I agree totally. Metcalf is way more capable at creating something from nothing. But, so is TMM. Its a tough call to make. Who will actually reach their potential, drive the team the best and not get injured.

 

[The Warrior Waka]

Anyone heard about Leka meeting with Politis?

Bruh, Are you bored?

 

[mrblonde]

Okay just listened to that Metcalf section. The majority of it is Kent praising Webster for making a decision and rewarding Boyd for performing.

I was thinking it was mainly good clickbait.

I saw some of the comments here and on the video. Right at the end is the "my mail". I don't think he is a journalist. My understanding he's owns a few businesses and is mates with a few journalists and people in the game. Not sure how much mail he would have.

With our history of Australians wanting to head home early. I can understand being nervous when you read/hear these. In the NRL when these start there is often something to them. Also you get a lot of BS rumours.

It would be disappointing to have all of the speculation around him last year. He re-signs the club has shown faith in him with his injury history and then 6-12 months later he wants to leave.

I've kept quiet on all of the halves debate. What I will say is what I said to a colleague recently. Webster has typically brought guys straight back in after injury and has said they didn't lose their spot. Halfback is a bit different as it has such an impact on how the team plays. If we lost all of our games or were 50/50 before Metcalf came back he likely would have come straight in. Instead we won them all. Fair enough Boyd was rewarded.

Further to the above. If Metcalf was a 100-150 game player it would also be a different decision.

The main thing he needs is game time.

The other thing that was said last night on NRL360 was that ACL injuries can take quite some time to come right, so let's not freak out that here we are in the start of May of Luke's not killing it like a Dally M Winner In Waiting. I'm sure he isn't and the club aren't.

 

[Sammyw]

This team needs a prime Boyd style 7 over a prime Metcalf makeshift style of 7. Have never thought LM looked natural as a 7, and wasn’t blown away by our play last season with LM steering the ship. This season on the other hand, it looks different and has that something about it.

If LM is indeed questioning plans and making demands he needs to be reminded he’s 27, has not even played 50nrl games and hasn’t played more than 15 in a season yet. He can go and I don’t think it would hurt us. Re-sign CHT, Boyd and TMM then trust in Jett and Inch.

On Spencer, I’d have him for sure, if it’s true we want him I’d hazard a guess webby and JFH would be good judges of character. But I wouldn’t want him for the 800k he’s on at the chooks

 

[steakncheese]

Metcalf situ has all the hallmarks of the Galvin scenario. Got paid the big bucks, so assumes he is No.1 if Webby cracks I think we would see a Dogs scenario occur, where the team will fall down due to culture failure. Needs to bide his time and if he gets a chance due to injury/poor form, prove you are the one. No doubt he is brilliant but also a selfish player like a lot of players of his ilk.

 

[Cces]

When Metcalf was ushered back in early we were 3W-0L with essentially 3 different 5/8s in those games so it kind of felt Webster had a free shot at the stumps against the Tigers but instead it opened a Pandora's box.
The 7W-2L start comparison of the last 2 seasons is an interesting one. On paper this year is way better, especially because we broke our Melbourne drought. Our attack in '25 was not as sharp but DWZ didn't play any of the opening 9 games so our Wing appearances were shared between Tuaupiki (9), RTS (3), Kosi (3) and Pompey (3). None of which finish opportunities like DWZ or AKP have done this season. We also lost Dylan Walker after 3 games which compounded Tohu's offseason loss. We are so much better prepared this year & have better carryover from the previous season than last.
It would be great to see Metcalf in the #7 behind the current pack but unless Boyd gets injured it's an unjustified selection, so he has to bide his time.

 

[Dead Man Switch]

This could also be a GREAT thing.

An ALPHA leader (His identity)in Metcalf stepping up. He wants it. He has dreamed into it, sacrificed for it, moved here, his family - he is CLUTCH. That is his identity and this is about winning a premiership here and now (which looks possible in 2025). That is a great thing right!

Maybe Boyd has to wear 6 on his jersey... but still run the ship as a traditional HB. It may or may not impact CHT... I don't know.

MAYBE...
...the solution is Metcalf to #1 - Sink or Swim. FB is a superstar position/Superstar money... Walsh, Tedesco, Edwards, Papenhauyzen, Hammer, Ponga etc Our spine would be ELITE!!

I Trust Webster and his team to get it right.

This is what incredible teams go through. Winning changes a lot of things.