Warriors coach Nathan Brown has hinted the club will likely go to the market to find a replacement for Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
With the clubs captain confirming on Saturday he is leaving at the end of the season to switch to rugby and a move to the Blues expected, the Warriors need someone for their No 1 jersey in 2022.
Tuivasa-Sheck was reportedly on $1.17 million a season at the Warriors. Given that the NRL salary cap next year will be AU$9.11 million (NZ$9.68 million), thats a huge chunk of cash thats become available to Brown and the Warriors recruitment and retention manager, Peter OSullivan.
There are options inside the Warriors to play fullback next year. Paul Turner is one, so too is Rocco Berry, whos rated as a real prospect by the club.
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But these players have played one NRL game between them, so Brown and OSullivan will need to asses their development over the season.
Cameron George and Nathan Brown will plot how the Warriors move on from losing their most influential player at the end of the season.
Fortunately, weve got some very good outside backs coming through and the fullback position and hooker are probably the most demanding, Brown said.
Whether any of our younger ones will be ready for that, its probably too early to judge, because most of these kids all missed a season of football last year.
Were thankful that weve now got a relationship with Redcliffe Dolphins in the Queensland Cup and a lot of our younger players will be playing in that.
So well get a good indication of where theyre at, but with where our squads at, the reality is that in the shorter term, we may have to look outward.
But longer term, there might be someone inward.
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Latrell Mitchell was discovered by Peter Sullivan and the fullback is out of contract at the end of the season.
While Brown and Berry have potential, fullback is one of the most crucial positions on the field and the Warriors would be hesitant on taking a risk.
There are a couple of big name options coming off contract at the end of the year, with Latrell Mitchell being a stand out.
While that might appear unrealistic, it was OSullivan who first discovered Mitchell and signed him to the Roosters.
Jahrome Hughes is also coming off contract at the Storm and although he played in the halves most recently, he has played plenty of footy at fullback.
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The money from Roger Tuivasa-Shecks contract could be used to give Tohu Harris an improved offer.
Reports are that the Kiwi international is looking for an increase from $350,000 to $800,000 a season with his next contract, which the Warriors would now be able to pay.
The Warriors have had an interest in Hughes for 2022, but that was only if Kodi Nikorima didnt take up the option in his favour to stay beyond this season.
They could go after Hughes regardless of what Nikorima does, but that could be dependent on whether the 26-year-old would be willing to play fullback again.
The Dragons Matt Dufty is also in the final year of his current contract and could be a handy pick up.
A potential spinoff of Tuivasa-Shecks departure could be that theres more money available to re-sign Tohu Harris, whos also off contract at the end of 2021.
Harris is believed to be on $700,000 a season and the 29-year-old had his best year yet at the Warriors in 2020.
He is the clubs No 1 re-signing target and bit more money could help sweeten the offer.
Thats all considerations that Sully and Browny will make when assessing the roster, Warriors CEO Cameron George said.
Were not going to make calls now at the drop of a hat. Its about the future, its about the balance and spending it wisely.
All options are considered and theyre considered on their merits, Tohu being one of those.
Were excited about the future, were excited about Rogers future.
