TK's simple guide to the New Zealand Warriors fantasy prospects for 2025.
The Wahs will be looking to bounce back after a very disappointing 2024 which ended with their favorite sons Shaun Johnson and Tohu Harris retiring. The disappointment of losing Addin Fonua-Blake is offset by the arrival of that goat of the big game in James Fisher-Harris, but how much motivation does he have after 4 straight premierships at the Panthers. The other huge question mark is their halves pairing. There are some talented yet unproven combinations so the ability for the halves to fire will likely determine their fate.
Prediction - Will miss the finals
Warriors 2025 Player Movements
2025 Gains |
Tanah Boyd (Gold Coast Titans, 2026), Erin Clark (Gold Coast Titans, 2027), James Fisher-Harris (Penrith Panthers, 2028), Samuel Healey (Cronulla Sharks, 2027) |
2025 Loses |
Addin Fonua-Blake (Cronulla Sharks), Shaun Johnson (retired), Marcelo Montoya (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Jazz Tevaga (Manly Sea Eagles), Setu Tu (Brisbane Tigers) |
A few positions still up for grabs. Leiataua and Berry would be favs but the centres is far from decided. The most contentious position is the halves with a number of scenarios that could take place. The forwards look settled with likely the only role up for grabs in the starting line up is the edge which should be decieded between Niukore and Ford. The Draw and Game Day Squad
Game Day Squad allows a true focus on weekly match ups. Load up on DWZ in the following match up where he could see some meat pies.
NRL Fantasy perspective
2 byes again during the origin period makes it difficult to take any of premium guns early. However given a period of only one bye in the first 14 rounds there is some consideration to be made for 1-2 players including he likes of JFH, Metcalf, TMM/Boyd.
Fantasy relevant players for round 1 - Mitch Barnett, Luke Metcalf, RTS, Tanah Boyd, Erin Clark, Taine Tuaupiki
2025 NRL Fantasy Fortunes (slide across to view the notes)
Player | Price | NRL Fantasy Av | GameDay Squad Av | Notes |
Mitch Barnett | $712K | 53.3 | 51.8 | Played huge minutes at prop in back end of the year. With Tohu now retired he will be the leader of the pack and I expect him to play 60 mins. Might be pricey to start but will come into play. Consider. |
Jackson Ford | $606K | 45.4 | 42.7 | Had a 49.8 av as a starting edge. Will likely be either there or the bench and does look fully priced. Avoid. |
James Fisher-Harris | $600K | 44.9 | 44.7 | Will they ask him to play AFB type minutes? Potentially with now Tohu gone. In games above 50 minutes he averaged 58.3 in 59.9 mins (7 games). Could be some upside here but I can see him playing 50 mins. Watchlist |
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad | $594K | 44.5 | 48.3 | Lots of injuries and HIA's. Not for us. Avoid |
Te Maire Martin | $576K | 43.1 | 42.5 | At halfback he averaged 51.1 so has some upside if he starts in the 7 but this looks like this is Metcalfs role. Avoid |
Dylan Walker | $568K | 42.5 | 41.2 | Played a lot more minutes due to all the injuries which originall has his average slightly too high. However the Tohu retirement has him back in frame for a nice role. Watchlist |
Wayde Egan | $553K | 41.4 | 38 | Has moments but is a ticking time bomb with all the HIA's. Avoid |
Ali Leiataua | $500K | 41 | 44.1 | Relevant fantasy game and should improve with another preseason. Good average considering he only scored 3 tries and didn't hit a 50. A little too expensive to consider but watchlist. |
Kurt Capewell | $550K | 39.6 | 37.4 | Priced at potential. Avoid |
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck | $510K | 38.2 | 40.2 | Most relevant fantasy role is FB but would likely be third string. Looks great where ever he plays. Awkward price but always fun owning RTS. Consider |
Tannah Boyd | $497K | 37.2 | 45.8 | 2023 his starting halfback average was 46.3. Would be neck and neck with TMM to start. Consider if he starts. |
Erin Clark | $482K | 36.1 | 36.4 | Has a great PPM and has some good scores in the middle. Would be in the mix for a larger role with no Tohu. Consider if he starts. |
Taine Tuaupiki | $450K | 35.8 | 41.9 | Take out his injury game and he had a 44.8 average in his 4 starts at FB. Would need a serious injury to Charnze to be relevant however DWZ injury has opened 6 week role. Don't mind him as a punt. Consider. |
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak | $477K | 35.7 | 37.8 | His try scoring took a dip as did his fantasy average. Even with more tries he is unlikely to be relevant. Injured for first 6 weeks. Avoid |
Marata Niukore | $455K | 34.1 | 33.6 | Lots of injuries that had a significant impact on his fantasy scores. Likely play a dual role. Even healthy in 2023 he only averaged 36.9 in 61.5 mins so need to rush into him. Avoid |
Moala Graham-Taufa | TBA | 33.7 | 34.5 | Young winger who had a decent NSW Cup year. 18 games for a 45.3 average. Would be down the depth chart but stick on the watchlist. |
Luke Metcalf | $441K | 33 | 39.1 | Take out his injury game and his 6 game average was 38.2. Has spoken about stepping up as a game manager with SJ gone. Really great trial form and at the price lock him in. Only concern if he is partnered with Tannah Boyd. BUY |
Rocco Berry | $441K | 33 | 32.4 | Didn't hit a single 50+ game in 2024 and no time line on his return from injury. Avoid. |
Adam Pompey | $358K | 26.8 | 29 | Looks to have lost his starting gig. Not much upside any way. Avoid |
Chanel Harris-Tavita | $353K | 26.4 | 25.8 | Was a Mr fix it in his comeback year. Did av 41.1 in his 8 games at Five-Eighth. Likely loses his spot with Metcalf back. Watchlist |
Ed Kosi | $300K | 25.2 | 26.6 | Didn’t play much in 2024 but with Montoya gone will be in the mix. NSW Cup only modest numbers with 20 games for a 30 average. Avoid |
Freddy Lussick | $301K | 22.6 | 20.7 | Whether starting or on the bench his production stinks. Avoid |
Demitric Vaimauga | $297K | 22.3 | 24.6 | 20 year old forward who comes with plenty of wraps. Nice PPM in limited minutes but his engine at this level will be the question mark. NSW Cup he had 8 games for only a 28.9 av. Watchlist |
Bunty Afoa | $286K | 21.4 | 21 | Low minute bench prop unlikely to be relevant. Avoid |
Jacob Laban | $284K | 21.3 | 20 | A well regarded edge back rower. Had a few games off the interchange and would need many injuries to be relevant. NSW Cup he had 15 games for 47.4 average. May have the front running for a starting edge role if he does could be a nice buy. Consider |
Tom Ale | $256K | 19.2 | 19.1 | Low minute bench prop unlikely to be relevant. Avoid |
Leka Halasima | $250K | 16.8 | 16.6 | Only 19 years old but had a huge year in the NSW Cup. 12 games for 51.2 fantasy points playing big minutes. Watchlist |
Jett Cleary | TBA | 0 | 0 | Needs a season of playing against men in the NSW Cup before we consider Chin Jr. Watchlist. |
Samuel Healey | $230K | 0 | 0 | Attacking minded hooker who got stuck behind Brailey and Berrell at the Sharks. Comes with pedigree with Father Mitch Healey a Sharks legend from the 90's. 26 games in NSW Cup mostly from the bench for a decent 38.2 average. Would need innjuries to be relevant. Avoid. |
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