LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
New Zealand Warriors superstar halfback Luke Metcalf is poised to explore the open market, with two teams reportedly eager to engage with him come November.
Metcalf has emerged as one of the premier playmakers in this year's campaign, despite being sidelined by an ACL injury. Since joining the Warriors after his time with the Cronulla Sharks, he has reached his peak performance.
Over the last three seasons, Metcalf has transitioned from a backup player to the standout performer for the club, benefiting from the mentorship of retired international halfback Shaun Johnson, who has significantly enhanced his skills.
His impressive form even saw him lead the Dally M leaderboard before he had to miss the last ten weeks of the season. If he had remained healthy, it's likely he would have posed a strong challenge to award winner James Tedesco.
Although the Warriors have proposed a revised two-year contract to him, News Corp reports that Metcalf has chosen to test the open market, drawing interest from both the Perth Bears and St George Illawarra Dragons.
The 26-year-old is expected to secure a substantial pay increase in his next contract, with the possibility of landing a seven-figure deal, given the limited availability of top halves and the needs of rival clubs for a new five-eighth or halfback.
"I'm genuinely really happy here at the Warriors and here in New Zealand. My partner loves it and we have something special building so it was a no-brainer," the halfback stated in 2024.