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

 

[skinnydippng]

could we see a universe where webby does try metcalf at 6 again?

ie drops CHT to appease the marquee man?

i know he said after the parra game he wouldn’t, but i also remember his comments about the halves decisions being a few weeks away prior to metcalf returning the following week

 

[Inruin]

He didn't question them as men or anything. His manager is acting in his interests, that's all. Metcalf didn't leak anything personally. His manager would have. No need to get our feelings hurt. Webster won't be getting his knickers in a twist. It's business. Provided Metcalf trains well and is good on the bus etc it's all good. I mean, unless something dramatic happens Metcalf ain't getting in the 6 or 7 jersey again this season, right? And if he's not in by the end of this season he won't be in next either. He can see the writing on the wall. He wants to be an NRL seven. He's pursuing that. No need for the fans to act like spurned lovers.

His manager. That is representing Metcalf. Uh huh.

You might be one of the few that don't see this as a bad look for him.

I don't think anyone is acting like spurned lovers at all, apart from maybe Metcalf. Or his manager.

 

[Noitall]

could we see a universe where webby does try metcalf at 6 again?

ie drops CHT to appease the marquee man?

i know he said after the parra game he wouldn’t, but i also remember his comments about the halves decisions being a few weeks away prior to metcalf returning the following week

Even Metcalf has indicated he only wants to play 6 in the short term

 

[CWC]

And that can’t be a surprise to him or his management that leaking this would bring that sort of perception

It's either 1) journos disinformation 2) Met's "call to action" for other clubs to contact the agent 3) mutual agreement of club and player to leak this for 2) to happen

 

[Blain]

Metcalf is fine. What do you want the guy to do? Play cup because it's good for the team when other teams would pay him good coin to be a seven? It's his dream and ambition to play seven. We're not playing for country here.

He's played 70 odd games of rugby league the past 9 years. If there is a guy you want to slowly nurse into health, his name is Luke Metcalf. To go play NSW Cup this week to put some kms in the legs is a good idea IMO.

Perhaps that conversation was had, and hence this news coming to light.

 

[Garry Saloon]

His manager. That is representing Metcalf. Uh huh.

You might be one of the few that don't see this as a bad look for him.

I don't think anyone is acting like spurned lovers at all, apart from maybe Metcalf. Or his manager.

I mean what do we want here. I think we want Boyd and CHT to be our halves, right? Well if that's the case we need Metcalf to move on. And if that's what needs to happen who cares if his manager is taking steps to make that happen? What's to be upset about?

 

[WAH MAN]

I mean what do we want here. I think we want Boyd and CHT to be our halves, right? Well if that's the case we need Metcalf to move on. And if that's what needs to happen who cares if his manager is taking steps to make that happen? What's to be upset about?

Personally I want all of them. Because it's damn near impossible to stay injury free in this day and age.

 

[Inruin]

I mean what do we want here. I think we want Boyd and CHT to be our halves, right? Well if that's the case we need Metcalf to move on. And if that's what needs to happen who cares if his manager is taking steps to make that happen? What's to be upset about?

My original post you quoted was 'is there a way Metcalf comes out of this in a good light?'

It appears from your replies that the answer is no.

 

[Beastmode]

Even Metcalf has indicated he only wants to play 6 in the short term

I hate those me first people

Almost as bad as the #metoo group

Always me me me…

How about taking one for the team?

 

[WAH MAN]

Fish to Tanah last year "Iron sharpens iron"

Tanah while he was in cup "Fish keeps saying iron sharpens iron so yeah I'll keep moving forward" (paraphrased)

What will the message be from here I wonder?

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

could we see a universe where webby does try metcalf at 6 again?

ie drops CHT to appease the marquee man?

i know he said after the parra game he wouldn’t, but i also remember his comments about the halves decisions being a few weeks away prior to metcalf returning the following week

He shouldn't and he won't! He already said that. I think we should sack him on compassionate grounds.

 

[Noitall]

I hate those me first people

Almost as bad as the #metoo group

Always me me me…

How about taking one for the team?

Yeah I hate stupid cunts. We’ve all got our pet peeves

 

[Garry Saloon]

My original post you quoted was 'is there a way Metcalf comes out of this in a good light?'

It appears from your replies that the answer is no.

I'm all good with him. You never job hunted while employed? Does that make you a bad guy?

 

[Garry Saloon]

Fish to Tanah last year "Iron sharpens iron"

Tanah while he was in cup "Fish keeps saying iron sharpens iron so yeah I'll keep moving forward" (paraphrased)

What will the message be from here I wonder?

For Tannah staying here was the best option. For Luke it isn't.

 

[FormerlyJamesW]

What will the message be from here I wonder?

At a guess; 'Iron sharpens iron?'

 

[Dead Man Switch]

Does it matter what number Jersey anyone wears here?

Do we put Tanah into 6 to appease Metcalf?

If both guys are smart, shouldn't they both be thinking, hell we could be one special halves pairing... let's win a title? Lets sit down in a room together with Fish, Clark, Egan... The leaders and sort this out now.

The one who loses here could be CHT. Who has played his socks off this year. Fairly he could get a much larger payday elsewhere.

 

[CWC]

At a guess; 'Iron sharpens iron?'

I have no idea what it means I just have this visual in my head with ACDC score in the background



Boyd and Pompey are literal Iron Men

 

[Cces]

Does it matter what number Jersey anyone wears here?

Do we put Tanah into 6 to appease Metcalf?

Boyd wearing the #6 wouldn't change the fact that Metcalf would be stationed on his less favored left side & would touch the ball substantially fewer times than Boyd does.
In the 2 games they've played alongside each other they've shown they aren't in sync

 

[Dippa]

In my opinion, expansion clubs and rival teams are absolutely monitoring the Warriors closely right now. Success changes everything in professional sport. When a club is winning, developing players well, building depth, and creating stability, other organisations naturally begin looking at who may become available or squeezed out long term. The Warriors suddenly having multiple capable halves is not a weakness — it’s actually a sign the club is finally building properly.

Because of that, I wouldn’t be surprised if conversations have already quietly taken place between rival clubs and player managers regarding future opportunities. Expansion clubs linked to PNG and Perth especially would be doing their homework early. They cannot afford to wait until the market is dry before identifying spine players they may want to build around.

A player like Luke Metcalf becomes very attractive in that environment: What I don’t buy into is the idea that Metcalf himself is unhappy or carrying on emotionally. To me, this feels far more like standard player management and external noise than some sort of internal crisis. Managers are paid to explore the market, create leverage, and understand future opportunities for their clients. Public speculation often becomes part of that process, whether intentional or not. There’s probably also an element of pot stirring occurring because the Warriors are now viewed differently across the competition. For years, the club was criticised for lacking consistency and depth in key positions. Now they suddenly have genuine competition for jerseys and people are trying to turn that into a negative.

I also think there’s an important lesson sitting right in front of everyone through Tanah Boyd’s situation. Boyd understood where he sat within the squad, worked hard behind the scenes, stayed patient, and prepared himself for the opportunity when it came. When called upon, he looked ready for first grade and took his chance with the mindset that the jersey should only be taken off him through performance. That’s exactly the mentality successful clubs need internally. The reality is that elite teams rarely keep every talented player completely comfortable forever. Competition is healthy. The key is having clarity, honesty, and standards within the environment. Players improve when positions are earned rather than handed out.
From Metcalf’s perspective, he also has to weigh up whether another opportunity would genuinely place him in a better football situation than the one currently building at the Warriors. Right now the club offers: stability, strong support, finals potential, quality coaching, and an improving roster. These things matter.

Hopefully this situation settles down because, in my view, the Warriors having multiple quality halves competing for spots is a far better problem than the instability and lack of depth the club has battled through for years.

 

[Wahs_Ultras]

In my opinion, expansion clubs and rival teams are absolutely monitoring the Warriors closely right now. Success changes everything in professional sport. When a club is winning, developing players well, building depth, and creating stability, other organisations naturally begin looking at who may become available or squeezed out long term. The Warriors suddenly having multiple capable halves is not a weakness — it’s actually a sign the club is finally building properly.

Because of that, I wouldn’t be surprised if conversations have already quietly taken place between rival clubs and player managers regarding future opportunities. Expansion clubs linked to PNG and Perth especially would be doing their homework early. They cannot afford to wait until the market is dry before identifying spine players they may want to build around.

A player like Luke Metcalf becomes very attractive in that environment: What I don’t buy into is the idea that Metcalf himself is unhappy or carrying on emotionally. To me, this feels far more like standard player management and external noise than some sort of internal crisis. Managers are paid to explore the market, create leverage, and understand future opportunities for their clients. Public speculation often becomes part of that process, whether intentional or not. There’s probably also an element of pot stirring occurring because the Warriors are now viewed differently across the competition. For years, the club was criticised for lacking consistency and depth in key positions. Now they suddenly have genuine competition for jerseys and people are trying to turn that into a negative.

I also think there’s an important lesson sitting right in front of everyone through Tanah Boyd’s situation. Boyd understood where he sat within the squad, worked hard behind the scenes, stayed patient, and prepared himself for the opportunity when it came. When called upon, he looked ready for first grade and took his chance with the mindset that the jersey should only be taken off him through performance. That’s exactly the mentality successful clubs need internally. The reality is that elite teams rarely keep every talented player completely comfortable forever. Competition is healthy. The key is having clarity, honesty, and standards within the environment. Players improve when positions are earned rather than handed out.
From Metcalf’s perspective, he also has to weigh up whether another opportunity would genuinely place him in a better football situation than the one currently building at the Warriors. Right now the club offers: stability, strong support, finals potential, quality coaching, and an improving roster. These things matter.

Hopefully this situation settles down because, in my view, the Warriors having multiple quality halves competing for spots is a far better problem than the instability and lack of depth the club has battled through for years.

No team can even be talking to Metcalf or his management unless the club agrees to release him.