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), Luke Metcalf (St George Illawarra Dragons), Marata Niukore (Newcastle Knights), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Wakefield Trinity)

Off contract and free to sign elsewhere for 2027: Rocco Berry, Kurt Capewell, 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, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Sam Healey, Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, Ali Leiataua, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Motu Pasikala, Adam Pompey, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak

 

[SBW1]

Could Ngani sign with the Wahs?

 

[Blain]

You know whats funny? Is these players we say no to, Like Barnett (Because he was a bit of loose cannon before coming here) Fonua Blake etc.... Turned out pretty good once Webby got his hands on them.
Royce & Leniu have some fire in them. Aggressive & strong. Fast for big boys. Royce's cardio needs a major tune up. Discipline is an issue for Leniu. And although I am not keen on either. Would be interesting so see what our club culture, coaching & leaders at the club could turn them into.

Barnett and AFB were obvious guns before joining.. They were both diamonds in the rough before coming here. Barnett had big upside aside from a couple blow ups. He was always a potential weapon. AFB was a big $$ signing, he took a step up when joining for sure.

Royce Hunt, dude has never given more than 10 good NRL minutes straight... Leniu for low cash might be OK, but that wouldn't work for him or us.

 

[Blain]

Jason Salalilo replaces Mitch Barnett in the top 30 and everyone shifts up 1 in the prop pecking order. More reponsibility and playing time for Vaimauga, TSS, EIT etc.

Sikuvea has been playing prop recently in cup and will be part of the prop depth chart, he will also get more lock opportunities if Gannon misses time. RTV needs a pathway as well and Page-Wilson could surprise with a massive preseason.

We don't need any prop signings imo.

Bishop Neal replaces Marata Niukore in the top 30.

The only question mark is around Capewell. Would be great if he took a 1 year extension but I think he will opt for something longer. In that case, I actually think we can get away with replacing him in the top 30 with Sikuvea given his versatility. I also need to see how Bowden progresses in cup this year, could be a smokey if he impresses in offseason as well. Everyone below Capewell in the depth chart shifts up one. Laban and Halasima become first choice second rowers and Bishop, EIT and Kayliss are receiving more regular opportunities.

Prop is a non-issue to me, but the second row depth could be tested if Capewell leaves and Gannon isn't a reliable option.

A junior NSW Cup prop to replace an Australian rep forward, and a 18 year old to replace a NZ rep 10 year NRL player? There are a few steps in between I think. We will be seriously cashed up. There is a gap there to be filled.

 

[Five&Last]

A junior NSW Cup prop to replace an Australian rep forward, and a 18 year old to replace a NZ rep 10 year NRL player? There are a few steps in between I think. We will be seriously cashed up. There is a gap there to be filled.

That’s not at all what I was saying though.

In terms of prop, everyone moves up the chain. Vaimauga, TSS and EIT are going to have larger roles.