Recruitment Warriors 2024/2025 Recruitment & Retention

Warriors 2024/2025 Recruitment & Retention Discussion
key: T = Team option, M = Mutual option, P = Player option, D = Development contract

Confirmed Top 30 2024: 28/30
Confirmed Development 2024: 5/6

Confirmed Top 30 2025: 25/30
Confirmed Development 2025: 1/6

2025 Gains: Nil
2025 Losses: Addin Fonua-Blake (Sharks)
 
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Love to read this on Foxsports..

WWOS is reporting Capewell’s early exit has been with anger by a group of senior players who believe the former Panther was instrumental in their finals charge in 2023.​
Kevin Walters outfit came desperately close to lifting the trophy, before superstar halfback Nathan Cleary delivered a second half masterclass.​
Senior figures reportedly believe his cool head and experience played a big role in the Broncos success.​
Therefore, they were shocked that club powerbrokers were even considering cutting him loose for the 2024 season.​

There is a lot more to a player than just what they put out on the park, and he is a good player, but extremely highly rated off it.
That's okay, Broncos can keep Capewell and we'll take Hass of their hands for the same money for a Hass and AFB 1...2. 2024 is our year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Love to read this on Foxsports..

WWOS is reporting Capewell’s early exit has been with anger by a group of senior players who believe the former Panther was instrumental in their finals charge in 2023.​
Kevin Walters outfit came desperately close to lifting the trophy, before superstar halfback Nathan Cleary delivered a second half masterclass.​
Senior figures reportedly believe his cool head and experience played a big role in the Broncos success.​
Therefore, they were shocked that club powerbrokers were even considering cutting him loose for the 2024 season.​

There is a lot more to a player than just what they put out on the park, and he is a good player, but extremely highly rated off it.
Even the king seemed really disappointed with his imminent departure.
 
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Berry and Ford re-signed​

Author Richard Becht​

Centre Rocco Berry and second rower Jackson Ford have earned contract extensions following their outstanding contributions in the One New Zealand Warriors’ watershed 2023 season.
The 22-year-old Berry and Ford (25) were both off contract at the end of 2024 but in the wake of their career-best campaigns they’ve been re-signed, Berry through to 2026 and Ford to 2025.

After making a total of just 15 appearances in 2021 and 2022, Berry more than doubled his career tally to 31 with 16 games this year.
Similarly Ford blossomed from an irregular first grader with St George Illawarra to a first-choice starting back rower in his debut season in Auckland, appearing in 24 of the club’s 27 games.
“Rocco and Jackson both thrived in the new environment created this season,” said One New Zealand Warriors general manager recruitment, pathways and development Andrew McFadden.
“Like so many players in the squad, their games went to a new level this year and there’s every confidence they’ll improve further next year and beyond.”
One New Zealand Warriors head coach Andrew Webster said he’s thrilled to see the players rewarded for their performances.
“The terrific thing about Rocco and Jackson is their drive to become better each and every day,” he said.
“They’re great examples of what we want to see in our players with their commitment and their passion.
“Rocco made tremendous strides throughout the season, gaining in confidence as he was able to string a number of games together and show the ability we all know he has.
“Jackson hit the ground running the moment he arrived here, demanded a starting spot in round one and never let his standards slip.”
Berry formed a potent combination on the right edge with winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak as he finished his third NRL season with three tries, eight try assists, 10 line break assists, four line breaks and 31 tackle breaks while he averaged 75 metres and 17 tackles a game (with a 91 per cent efficiency rate).

He capped his 2023 season with a standout display for the New Zealand Kiwis A in their 36-26 win over Mate Ma’a Tonga A at Eden Park in October.
Used as a starting second rower in all but one of his 24 games, Ford was on the field the full 80 minutes 15 times and all 82 minutes in the golden point win against the Raiders, while in two other matches he played 77 and 78 minutes. He scored four tries and made nine line breaks and 73 tackle breaks while averaging 103 metres and 35 tackles a game.

JACKSON FORD​

Born: February 17, 1998
Birthplace: Shellharbour, NSW
Junior club: Gerringong Lions
Position: Second row
Height: 187cm
Weight: 101kg
Previous club: St George Illawarra Dragons (2019-2022)
NRL debut: St George Illawarra Dragons v Gold Coast Titans, Netstrata Jubilee Stadium,
Sydney, August 10, 2019 (Rd 21)
One New Zealand Warriors No: 276
One New Zealand Warriors debut: v Newcastle Knights, Sky Stadium, Wellington, March 3,
2023 (Rd 1)
NRL games: 57 (2019-2023)
St George Illawarra Dragons: 33 appearances (2019-2022)
One New Zealand Warriors: 24 (2023)
NRL points: 24 (6 tries)
Representative: 2020 NRL Nines

ROCCO BERRY​

Born: May 17, 2001
Birthplace: Masterton, NZ
Junior club: St Patrick’s Silverstream College (rugby union)
Position: Centre
Height: 191cm
Weight: 94kg
One New Zealand Warriors No: 258
NRL debut: One New Zealand Warriors v Melbourne Storm, AAMI Park, Melbourne, April 25,
2021 (Round 7)
NRL games: 31 (2021-2023)
NRL points: 24 (6 tries)
Rep honours: New Zealand Kiwis A (2023), NRL Nines (2020)

 
I’m happy with the resigning’s and I’m sure Webby and Cappy know what they are doing but the balance of the squad seems a little wobbly….

Four centres and only two wings

Five half’s and only one prop.

A lot of 2nd rowers!!!

I guess the thing that surprises me the most is the Pompey resigning earlier. I thought that would mean the end of Berry. They must be looking at one of the centres covering wing.
 
I’m happy with the resigning’s and I’m sure Webby and Cappy know what they are doing but the balance of the squad seems a little wobbly….

Four centres and only two wings

Five half’s and only one prop.

A lot of 2nd rowers!!!

I guess the thing that surprises me the most is the Pompey resigning earlier. I thought that would mean the end of Berry. They must be looking at one of the centres covering wing.


I thought when Pompey played on the wing in 20 he was pretty good, a little slow but had some good games. I thought this year he did pretty well considering the clack he cops.
 
I’m happy with the resigning’s and I’m sure Webby and Cappy know what they are doing but the balance of the squad seems a little wobbly….

Four centres and only two wings

Five half’s and only one prop.

A lot of 2nd rowers!!!

I guess the thing that surprises me the most is the Pompey resigning earlier. I thought that would mean the end of Berry. They must be looking at one of the centres covering wing.

I’m happy with the resigning’s and I’m sure Webby and Cappy know what they are doing but the balance of the squad seems a little wobbly….

Four centres and only two wings

Five half’s and only one prop.

A lot of 2nd rowers!!!

I guess the thing that surprises me the most is the Pompey resigning earlier. I thought that would mean the end of Berry. They must be looking at one of the centres covering wing.
I’d say Niukore is nearly a certainty to move into the middle now that Capewell is on board, that adds another prop. And don’t forget Bunty. Not everyone’s cup of tea but more often than not did the job asked of him on limited minutes. But still need to add one more prop in my mind. DWZ, Montoya and Kosi are 3x legit wingers as well. And a couple of players with versatility helps such as RTS and Berry
 
Ali could be used on the wing, good with high ball and good pace, so that's 3 centres, 2 wings and 2 utilities (Monty + Ali)

I knew Ford wouldn't bail. Didn't know he is 187cm, with his pace and Capewell on the other edge, I reckon Ford could be the line breaker attacking weapon if Metcalf continues to work on his game or TMM doing his thing, or SJ coming over to the left more. If he works on what to do once he breaks the line or add an offload game, and cut out his errors/penalities from this first season, he could be a real gun. He made a lot of line breaks before Metcalf played lol
 
Ali is signed til 2025, and Rocco is signed til 2026, not sure you'd sign a back up longer than the main guy ;)

For real though, and I said it in the Pick Your 2024 Team thread, but Ali under Roger's wing (literally and figuratively) is I'm wanting

Screen Shot 2023-12-07 at 1.38.59 PM.png


Down the line, after doing his apprenticeship, when Roger hangs them up, Ali can move in and partner the GOAT in the centres
 

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