After 12 rounds the Warriors again look set to fight for a top-eight spot. In saying that, they don't look capable of finishing any higher than eighth, maybe seventh if they go on a run.

A large factor in their recent good form has been young superstar recruit Reece Walsh. His arrival has completely reset the attack for the Warriors and has made them a far better side.

With captain and legend Roger Tuivasa-Sheck exiting the code at the end of the 2021 season, the Warriors will need to head into the player market to deliver the missing pieces.

Below is a look at five players I believe they SHOULD target. I don't have any inside information nor do I know if these players are even on the club's radar. In my opinion they should be.

I've tried to keep it realistic, i.e. I'm not suggesting the Warriors try and bring Cameron Smith out of retirement.

Let us know below who you believe would look good in the Warriors jersey for 2022 and beyond.

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1. Lachlan Fitzgibbon

I like what I've seen from young Josh Curran, while Bayley Sironen has plenty of potential, but the Warriors need a pick and stick, 80-minute back-rower.

Lachlan Fitzgibbon was so close to Origin selection last year and you'd have to believe he would have been in the discussion if he hadn't missed so many games through injury.

I am shocked that Newcastle haven't yet tied down their wide-running weapon. The Warriors have shown they're not scared to offer big money deals to attract stars, so an offer here could turn his head to across the Tasman.

NRL Rd 10 - Rabbitohs v Knights
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 18: Lachlan Fitzgibbon of the Knights is tackled by Damien Cook of Souths during the round 10 NRL match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Newcastle Knights at Bankwest Stadium on July 18, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

Fitzgibbon has all the tools to quickly become a crowd favourite in no time. With 83 appearances under his belt, he has plenty of experience and at 27 is right in the peak of his career.

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1 COMMENT

  1. Warriors supporter and I like some of the takes here. I seen the Garrick noise last week, apparently Manly arenโ€™t that interested. Iโ€™d love to get Garrick, heโ€™s tall, fast and can kick goals. Maumalo and Fusitua arenโ€™t quick enough, both poor in defence and frankly overpaid. Garrick would save you a couple hundred thousand and upgrade the kicking.

    The Aaron Woods take I think is actually really good. Heโ€™s only 30, 6โ€™4 and 110+kgs. 200+ NRL games experience, 14 NSW Caps, 18 test match caps, previously a Tigers captain, former Dally M Prop of the year and runner up to Thurston for the player of the season. Heโ€™s out of favour and seems like little interest in him next year. He has a good work rate in both taking carries, making metres and making tackles. He hasnโ€™t been at his best for a long time now, needs to clean up his discipline too, but thereโ€™s no doubt he would be an upgrade over the likes of Tanoa-Brown or Evans.

    Surprised you didnโ€™t mention the obvious like Shaun Johnson or Brandon Smith. (Both players I would love to have) Personally I would love for the Warriors to throw Johnson a 2 year deal. Heโ€™s not the same player as he used to be either but heโ€™s a lot better than CHT or Nikorima. Heโ€™s got a underrated kicking game, decent running game when he chooses and he links really well with his second rowers. Heโ€™s got leadership skills and ball skills he could teach the young guys and would just be a great seeing him back with a good forward pack.

    In: Johnson, Woods and Garrick
    Out: OSullivan, Maumalo and Evans

    1. Walsh
    2. Fusitua
    3. Aiken
    4. Pompey
    5. Garrick
    6. Nikorima
    7. Johnson
    8. Woods
    9. Egan
    10. AFB
    11. Curran
    12. Harris
    13. Teveaga

    14. Sironen
    15. Ah Mau
    16. Afoa/JTB
    17. BMM/Murchie/Katoa

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