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    There is not a lot of spots left at the Warriors. Any signings wont be average players I think. The days of Aussie Tradesmen look to be gone on the basis of the young player production factory we now have running at full blast.

    I can only see playing standards increasing further from here given the unreal depth we now have. Once the the young backs come through from NSW Cup and Flegg its going to be extreme hard for players outside of injury to crack into this Warriors game day squad.

    Keep in mind too that we likely need to upgrade the following players to the 2028 NRL Squad

    Bishop Neal - 28 (Unless upgraded early)
    Jason Salalio - 28
    Makaia Tafua - 28

    So looking at who is leaving in 2027 vs who is coming in - This is what looks to be shaping up to me... but anything could happen - A star signing out of nowhere/falling into our hands.


    Rocco Berry - BRONCOS Replacement / Anderson
    Tanah Boyd - KEEP
    Kurt Capewell - Bishop Neal?
    Chanel Harris - KEEP
    Marata Niukore - Cooper Page-Wilson?
    Roger Tuivasa-Sheck - Will Warbrick
    Te Maire Martin - Jett Cleary
    Mitchell Barnett - Jason Salalilo?

    And what about the prodigies? Jeremiah Lemana, Jack Thompson, Christian Sikuvea?

    Also keep in mind who is set to leave in 2028

    Wayde Egan - Possible keep 1 - 2 year extension but Makaia Tafua will demand NRL Contract.
    Jackson Ford - KEEP
    Samuel Healey - KEEP
    Ali Leiataua - KEEP
    Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad - GONE
    Adam Pompey - GONE
    Dallin Watene-Zelezniak - GONE
    Kayliss Fatialofa - 27 - Great player but can they fit him anywhere in the squad? Needs game time to see what he can do.

    Of final note - We are going to lose some real good talent that will do well at NRL level. The Warriors have the pick of the crop though. Players arriving good to go at NRL level. We waited a long time for this.

    Toby Crosby - Most of us were gutted and Panthers grabbed him with no offer from us. It looks a good call by the Warriors as he has been playing of the bench in reserve grade for the Panthers. At the Warriors he was dropped off the bench for the reserves.

    We are getting calls correct.
     
    Rather than continuing to clog up the Recruitment thread, I'll post my thoughts on the Metcalf situation here.

    Everything points to him initially signing for us to be the heir to Shaun Johnson's #7 jersey. In '23 & '24, when fit, he was happy to learn on the job from his friend & mentor. Once '25 rolls around he finally gets the keys. He becomes more of an on the ball player, gets to defend on his preferred right side & is the primary choice last tackle option. He never really looks like an out & out 7, but with both him & CHT each playing like 6.5's it works despite it not always looking fluid. He makes try saving tackles, provides some highlight reel plays & comes up clutch on multiple occasions before getting injured with a 10W-5L record, for a team that only won 9 games the previous complete season.
    His understudy is underwhelming (in the NRL) for the remainder of 2025 & he extends his contract another 2 seasons then '26 rolls around with great positivity.
    The back up #7 then starts 2026 on a heater going 4 & 0. Metcalf recovers faster than expected so he is put straight back into the team as the #6 on the same week that he, a palangi fella, is used by the club to promote Pasifika Round. Expectations are high. He takes a back seat on the playmaking (27 less touches than Boyd), defends poorly on his less preferred side and isn't first choice goal kicker anymore despite the current guy sitting at 74%. The forwards get pumped & the team take their first L. The next week rolls around & he takes even more of a back seat (40 less touches than Boyd), does his hammy late, the team register another L and all of a sudden a large section of the fan base think he's the issue.
    He comes across as a level headed guy who isn't lacking in confidence, but even so, the ego must've taken a hit.
    Where to from here? Barring an injury to Boyd coinciding with his return to fitness, his comeback will be via NSW Cup where I can almost guarantee he'll wear the #7, defend on the right & kick goals. Not the ideal preparation for a NRL recall in the second fiddle #6 role that our top side might offer
     
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    Theking267 said:
    The issue with CHT is he has career winning record of 39% and the is including his 58% winning percentage from last year.
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    Since his sabbatical, we've won 60% of the games he's started at 5/8. Games at #7, #1 & off the bench drag his career % down. A 45% win rate at 5/8 across his career is actually pretty good when you consider the teams overall win rate from 2019-22
     
    Noitall said:
    If Nathan Cleary is going to market and looking for a new challenge, that’s where I’d be targeting. He and Metcalf in the halves and his brother backI
    Click to expand...
    in the unscripted podcast earlier this year with Josh Mansour, Nathan Cleary said that he doesn't care about whether people call him shit or the GOAT.

    Rather, he doesn't want to have any regrets post-retirement and wants his legacy to be known as a player other players loved playing alongside.

    To me, this indicates that him playing for the Warriors eventually to link up with Jett is a matter of when, not if.
     
    I would hope that if someone had enticed CHT's signature that we convince him to stay during cooling off period. He is a Warrior, is good for the club and the club has been good to him. It was a huge gesture to give him a top 30 contract after a year off.
     
    FormerlyJamesW said:
    It's such an interesting conversation when you bring stats into it. CHT is proof that sometimes teams need players that don't always fit the 'mold'.

    Personally, I've stopped asking questions of CHT purely because he seems to be the 6 that our system benefits the most from having. His massive hits on defense fire up the boys around him and his subtle touches in attack don't make the highlights reel but work a treat.
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    If we let CHT go part of me will die.
    it was hard enough letting Bunty go but fair enough his form had dropped and even Benji hasnt picked him.
    CHT embodies the Warriors.
    Humble and tough all in one.
     
    Boston Boy said:
    CHT is such an interesting player. Excellent defender (almost an offensive defender), great team man and leader, does not have the explosiveness or speed you would love to be a 6, seems to lack real high level kicking ability and playmaking ability when you look at him BUT his stats are good, things happen around him.
    Click to expand...

    It's such an interesting conversation when you bring stats into it. CHT is proof that sometimes teams need players that don't always fit the 'mold'.

    Personally, I've stopped asking questions of CHT purely because he seems to be the 6 that our system benefits the most from having. His massive hits on defense fire up the boys around him and his subtle touches in attack don't make the highlights reel but work a treat.
     
    Tokyo Warrior said:
    James Hooper mentioned the Sharks as a possible destination for CHT on his podcast.
    Click to expand...
    CHT is such an interesting player. Excellent defender (almost an offensive defender), great team man and leader, does not have the explosiveness or speed you would love to be a 6, seems to lack real high level kicking ability and playmaking ability when you look at him BUT his stats are good, things happen around him. He stiffens up the line, people catch his kicks and he is involved in tries even though it may not always be the last pass, he brings a great spirit to the game and he has some good try assist stats. He is a Warrior through and through, would be sad to see him go.
     
    Thank you for your service Marata Niukore

    It’s a tad little disrespectful saying the Knights have overhyped the signing

    I was super excited when he joined in 2024

    Highlight was definitely when he squared up to David Fafita. Just about wet my pants watching 👀

    Knights know what they bought. Good luck to him and the Knights. If they can stay healthy easily top 8 in my books next year

    1776079914732.webp
     
    Coach Webster was in my Central Auckland design showroom right now with his wife and child — looks like they’re gearing up for a big home renovation, and they’re also expecting their second child. I know his home address too now, and of course, we’ll keep everything completely confidential!

    I welcomed him in and congratulated him on the win — he was genuinely stoked. He mentioned that during the debrief, the players were over the moon and especially happy for the fans who’ve stuck with them through that tough run.

    I did cheekily ask if we could keep the same team and combinations this weekend. He laughed and said, “you liked that, did ya? We’ll see.” His wife Emily jumped in and said, “don’t worry, he doesn’t give much away,” but she agreed with me — which was good!
     
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