NRL Market Watch: Warriors make Metcalf the NRL’s latest million dollar man

The Warriors have locked in a major part of the post-Shaun Johnson era after re-signing one of their biggest free agents. It leaves the NRL’s playmaking market threadbare for 2025.

Luke Metcalf (R) has extended his stay at the Warriors. Picture: Getty Images

The Warriors are planning for life without Shaun Johnson after re-signing his halves partner Luke Metcalf to a multi-year deal.

It is understood that Metcalf will stay with the Warriors for at least another two seasons after agreeing to a deal worth about $500,000 a season.

The recent re-signings of Luke Keary, Adam Reynolds, Tom Dearden and Ezra Mam means the off-contract playmaking pool has really dried up.

It means rival clubs searching for a new halves pairing in 2025 will struggle to land any significant signings if they wanted to shake-up their scrumbase combination.

It leaves the likes of veterans Johnson, Chad Townsend, Kodi Nikorima and Kieran Foran among the only starting halves unsigned for next year.

Others off-contract include Tyson Gamble, Toby Sexton, Anthony Milford, Jake Clifford and Adam Doueihi.

Some clubs are also watching the situation at the Tigers given the impending arrival of Jarome Luai.

The Tigers have Luai, Jayden Sullivan, Lachlan Galvin, Latu Fainu and potentially Aidan Sezer on their roster for next year. You would expect at least one of those players to be allowed to leave the club in order to balance the Tigers’ squad and salary cap.

Metcalf scored a try for the Warriors in their 16-12 loss against his former club the Sharks on Friday night.

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - MARCH 08: Luke Metcalf of the Warriors celebrates scoring a try during the round one NRL match between New Zealand Warriors and Cronulla Sharks at Go Media Stadium Mt Smart, on March 08, 2024, in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

The Warriors have shown enormous faith in the 25-year-old who joined the club from the Sharks on a two-year deal last season.

He agreed to a new contract before a ball had been kicked.

The Warriors have backed Metcalf to be a long-term halves option despite significant hamstring injuries which have plagued his career.

He was sent to reconditioning specialist Bill Knowles last year to help aid with his running technique as Metcalf looks to overcome his ongoing issues.

Knowles has worked with the likes of Latrell Mitchell, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Tom Trbojevic and Jayden Brailey in recent years.

The Warriors’ halves situation is a balancing act.

Johnson is off-contract at the end of this year and at 33 is now considered a year by year proposition.

They also have Te Maire Martin and Chanel Harris-Tavita on their books until at least the end of next year.

FLANAGAN ADMITS UNCERTAINTY OVER ENIGMATIC LOMAX

St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan has vowed to get the best out of Zac Lomax despite suggestions the outside back is frustrated with his positional switch.

Flanagan knows Lomax is far from settled with the coach moving him from his preferred centre spot to the wing to start the season.

Despite conceding Lomax was not keen on the move, Flanagan said he could reignite the 24-year-old to produce his best football.

“It’s a challenge,” Flanagan said when asked if he could unlock Lomax. “I have to find (his best). Some other coaches have struggled in the last four or five years with it. That’s my job to get the best out of him

“And I will. He is a super athlete. Is his best position wing? Maybe not. Time will tell.”

Zac Lomax of the Dragons is tackled during the NRL Pre-season challenge match between St George Illawarra Dragons and Wests Tiger. Picture: Getty Images

Lomax was faced with a similar conundrum last season when former coach Anthony Griffin shifted from his preferred right side of the field to the left. He was then axed from first grade.

Publicly, Lomax has said that he is happy to play anywhere but Flanagan is aware that Lomax wants to make a return to centre.

“He is in our best 17,” Flanagan said. “He is on the wing at the moment. Does that stay like that? I’m not quite sure. That will depend. My job is to pick the best 17 week in week out. And at the moment my best 17 is Zac on the wing.

“He has said he wants to play centre. That’s fine. It’s not a story for me to be honest. It’s a player that wants to play in a position.

“I look at players who have been recruited. You get Jake Averillo (signing for the Dolphins) and he isn’t in the team. My job is to pick the best 17 and I’ll be doing that.

“Dragons fans whether they Zac Lomax fans or whatever they just want two competition points. They just want me to pick the best 7 and this week it’s Zac Lomax on the wing.”

Dragons head coach Shane Flanagan. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

Moses Suli and Jack Bird have been picked ahead of Lomax to play the Titans on Saturday night.

While Lomax’s $800,000 per year contract does not expire until the end of 2026, rival clubs are aware of his potential discontent. That has sparked suggestions the likes of Parramatta – who are on the lookout for a strike outside back – could be interested should Lomax become available.

“He is contracted here for another couple of years,” Flanagan said. “It’s interesting to read your story about other club’s being interested in him … He is under contract.”

Originally published as NRL Market Watch: Warriors make Metcalf the NRL’s latest million dollar man