NRL: The future of Luke Metcalf is up in the air after the Warriors extended Tannah Boyd.
Luke Metcalf is set to test the market with other clubs — and here, we run the rule over every other NRL team to find potential new homes for the Warriors halfback.
Watch every game of every round of the Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports |WHAT'S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. Not only do the Broncos not have the salary cap to bring Metcalf in, but they have already got their future halves in Ezra Mam and Jonah Pezet.
Meanwhile, Thomas Duffy is also on their books and is set to be extended beyond this season. The arrival of Coby Black and Ethan Sanders in recent years means the Raiders are no longer on the hunt for a No.7. They also have Ethan Strange in their halves who is coming off a standout campaign in 2025 where he was named in the Australia Kangaroos squad. CANTERBURY BULLDOGS Are the Bulldogs and Metcalfe a match made in heaven?
While reports inside the club’s four walls indicate Lachlan Galvin is their long-term halfback, the arrival of Metcalf would see him transition back into his primary five-eighth role - a position he grew up playing and a position he will have no trouble returning to. This would then allow them to move Matt Burton to the centres or let him off their books, freeing up up to $1 million in salary cap funds.
The only reason against targeting Metcalf is Under-19s NSW halfback, Mitchell Woods. A future NRL star, Woods has been earmarked for big things in rugby league but has unfortunately struggled with multiple hamstring injuries. The decision mainly depends on whether they want to stick with Galvin and Woods or go in another direction. While a move to the Cronulla Sharks would be perfect on paper, do they club have the funds to bring him in?
If they don’t, they will need to let go of several players - on top of the players that are already leaving or uncontracted - to afford Metcalf’s base salary price. However, if they do have funds, it opens up a whole range of possibilities. This could see Nicho Hynes return to fullback and Metcalf accompany Braydon Trindall in the halves.
Meanwhile, youngster Riley Pollard is set to be promoted to the club’s Top 30 in the coming seasons and is regarded as one of the best young halfbacks in rugby league. Another team that will not chase Metcalf is the Dolphins. The Dolphins already have their long-term halfback in Isaiya Katoa, while English captain George Williams will join the club in 2027.
The Titans could go either way but the emergence of Zane Harrison makes it unlikely that they will look to chase after Metcalf. While they could both play in the halves together, both men grew up playing in the No.7 jerseys and want to be long-term halfback in the NRL competition. The only way that the Sea Eagles chase Metcalf is if Joey Walsh demands a release out of nowhere.
In his two starts this season, Walsh showed that he has a long career in the No.7 jersey and has already earned the backing of the coaching staff, playing ground and club legends such as Cliff Lyons and Steven Menzies. Even if he randomly requests a release, the Sea Eagles still have Jamal Fogarty on their books for another two seasons. This is where things could get interesting.
The departure of Jonah Pezet at the end of last season means that they don’t have a sure-fire replacement for Jahrome Hughes once he decides to hang up the boots. Still contracted until the end of 2028, the Storm may decide to rebuild their squad after this year if they miss out on the finals and Craig Bellamy retires from coaching. If so, Metcalf looms as the perfect option.
However, they do have U19s QLD representative Hayden Watson, Under-21s Jersey Flegg Grand Final Player of the Match Dylan Brettle and Keagan Russell-Smith at the club if they decided against trying to recruit the Warriors star. If this were last year, the Knights would have been one of the clubs linked to Metcalf.
However, they have since found their long-term halves in Fletcher Sharpe and Dylan Brown. Sandon Smith is also contracted at the club long-term. The Cowboys may have shown keen interest if this news had come out a couple of months ago, but they just handed Jake Clifford an extension until the end of 2028. Clifford has taken his game to new heights this season which has seen him emerge as an Origin smokey.
Meanwhile, reigning Wally Lewis Medallist Tom Dearden is in the other halves spot. With no Jonah Pezet next season, don’t be surprised if the Eels make a play for Metcalf. While Metcalf insists he wants to be a halfback, it’s hard to imagine that he would turn down the chance to play alongside Mitchell Moses in the halves, even if it is in the five-eighth role.
However, his addition could have a ripple effect on the other halves at the club. His addition could see teenage standouts Lincoln Fletcher and Lorenzo Talataina look at their options, something the Eels wouldn’t want due to them being very highly rated inside the four walls. The Penrith Panthers still have Blaize Talagi and Nathan Cleary on their books until at least the end of 2027 so a move to sign Metcalf won’t come to fruition.
They also don’t have the funds in their salary cap to hand him a multi-million dollar deal that other clubs will likely offer him. Yet to secure a marquee signing for when they enter the NRL in 2027, the door has opened up for the Bears to land Metcalf.
Not only could Metcalf become one of the competition’s highest-paid players if he joins Perth but he will also be able to wear the No.7 and play in his primary halfback role. The cashed-up Bears will offer the Warriors star more money than any other team.
The PNG Chiefs will no doubt show an interest in trying to lure Metcalf to their club, but with the Warriors star looking for a new team for 2027 and the Chiefs entering the NRL in 2028, it’s hard to imagine an agreement between the two clubs taking place. The only way a move would work is if Metcalf decides to remain at the Warriors for an extra season or decides to sign with another club on a one-year deal - two things that are extremely unlikely to happen.
The Dragons are in desperate need of a star halfback and Metcalf’s decision to explore his options has given the club the perfect opportunity to fill the void. The arrival of Metcalf would instantly improve their attack and put them back on the right track as they enter a new era following the termination of Shane Flanagan.
While some fans may argue that Kade Reed is the future of the club, the youngster was pushed into first-grade and should still be developing his trade in NSW Cup for the next few years before becoming a household rugby league name. Could the club that Tanah Boyd knocked back become Metcalf’s new home?
Although Ashton Ward has been playing out of his skin, the Rabbitohs have yet to make a call on who their long-term halfback will be, thus opening up the door for Metcalf. The only issue for the Rabbitohs is if they have the funds in their salary cap to recruit the Warriors star.
With David Fifita, Cameron Murray, Jack Wighton, Latrell Mitchell, Jye Gray at the club plus Payne Haas arriving in 2027, it’s hard to imagine that they could make a serious play for Metcalf. If there is one thing the Roosters don’t need, it’s another half. Daly Cherry-Evans, Hugo Savala, Sam Walker and Toby Rodwell are all on the club’s books, setting them up for a very bright future.
They also have Carter Mareko and Charlie Webb coming through the ranks. Jarome Luai may be leaving the Tigers, but it won’t be until the end of next season, when Metcalf is likely to have his future sorted out.
Even if he decides to remain at the Warriors for an extra season before switching teams in 2028, the Tigers have Alex Isdale, Adam Doueihi, Iverson Matai, Latu Fainu and Javon Andrews on their books.
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