The Warriors have continued their impressive recruitment drive by snaring promising Sharks playmaker Luke Metcalf on a two-year deal from 2023.
Metcalf, who has played six NRL matches and debuted for Cronulla this year, could form a halves partnership with former Sharks teammate Shaun Johnson at the Warriors.
However, he is set to play out the 2022 season at Cronulla, with the 22-year-old among the likes of Braydon Trindall and Matt Moylan vying to combine with new five-eighth Nicho Hynes.
“Luke was really impressive when he came into the NRL late in the season,” Warriors coach Nathan Brown said in a statement released on Monday.
“He had to wait for his chance after seeing next to no football in 2020 because of COVID but he showed just why he has been so highly regarded coming through the grades with both the Sharks and Manly.”
Warriors CEO Cameron George confirmed Metcalf, who impressed with his speed and skill at the 2020 Perth Nines tournament for the Sea Eagles, had been “on our radar for some time”.
(Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
“With Luke we’ve been able to sign another terrific young talent,” George said.
The acquisition of Metcalf adds to the doubt around the futures of playmakers Kodi Nikorima and Chanel Harris-Tavita, both unsigned beyond next season.
The Warriors have also signed former Titans halfback Ash Taylor to a train-and-trial deal with an option for a top 30 roster position in 2022.
With Johnson returning to the club and seemingly guaranteed the number seven jersey, it leaves the Warriors with some tough decisions to make.
They have revamped their squad with talent including Reece Walsh, Addin Fonua-Blake, Matt Lodge, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Bayley Sironen coming aboard in 2021.
JOSH
Roar Rookie
totally agree bad deal for both
Tony
Roar Guru
This looks to me like a decision that both Metcalf and the Sharks might regret in a couple of years.
mushi
Roar Guru
I do not know. Could be fourth owner coming right up
Tony
Roar Guru
Why even put the article up if comments aren't allowed?
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Personally, I would have either Tracey or Metcalf in the halves with Hynes over Trindall. I don't see Trindall as a big game player at any point of his career. Time will tell if I am wrong or not. But I said the same thing about Luke Brooks, Michael Lichaa, Moses Mbye, Gerard Beale and Jackson Hastings, so....
SharkMan
Guest
Sad to see Metcalf go as he looks promising but in his preferred positions of 1 and 6 the Sharks have Kennedy and Hynes ahead of him (although there's rumours Hynes may play 7). Assuming Fitzy goes with Trindall and Hynes in the halves though and also who partners Ramien in the centres (Tracey/Ikuvalu), then if he stayed Metcalf could've be in a battle with Tracey for just the 14 jersey in 2023 even if Moylan moves on. Nikorima and CHT seem to be on the outer at the Warriors so he'll probably have a decent shot at the 6 jersey there.
mushi
Roar Guru
Yep obituary isn't far off. Not sure what the competitive advantage of the roar is minus comments.
Dionysus
Guest
What is going on with the R.O. A.R. ? We have seen an increase of articles where an attempt to post is met with a message to say that comments are now closed. This has just occurred on an article that is less than 1 hour old and has zero comments. The R.O. A.R. has always been a fan comment site so anything that starts to impact the freedom of people to comment on here is a problem. So what is going on ? Are we about to see the demise of this great site ? I really hope not.
Benjamin Carangelo
Roar Rookie
good on you i agree
Joshua Casaceli
Guest
if he wins us a premiership this year whats the coach gonna think of himself
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
I agree. The Tigers could do a LOT worse... like Corey Norman or Luke Brooks!
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
100% correct. Moylan is a dud that is costing the Sharks salary cap room they can't afford to waste. They should have kept Johnson and cut Moylan. Luke Metcalf also has good speed and acceleration and showed promising signs in his 5 NRL games so far. Also, Connor Tracey is underutilised in favour of Braydon Trindall who isn't half as threatening in attack as Tracey IMO. I'd be interested in souvalis thoughts and others Sharks fans on this.
Short Memory
Roar Rookie
Tigers, give yourselves an uppercut. A genuine X factor running pivot at the beginning of his career. Exactly what the Tigers need... with Benji coming back to mentor him Metcalf could have been a marquee player to rebuild the club around.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
That makes two clubs in a row that didn’t give him a break. Manly signed him from the Sharks as a youngster and never gave him a look in and the Sharks repeated the dose when he returned . In the few times i saw him he looked to be a really handy player. Maybe the Warriors will give him a career path
Joshua Casaceli
Guest
the sharks are idiots moylan but not metcalf
Joshua Casaceli
Guest
@#$% me