Metcalf is happy at the Warriors and unlike some past Australian imports has truly bought into the culture of the club and the city. He is a popular member of the group and relates well to his teammates, especially the young core. He also has a strong bond with coach Andrew Webster and co-captain Mitch Barnett.
Being on the inside, Metcalf believes in the potential of the squad. While the Warriors aren’t yet ready to win a premiership – they are certainly tracking in the right direction. That’s not necessarily the case for some other clubs chasing a halfback, while opting to join the new Perth Bears would be an adventure but the expansion club face a long road to be competitive.
The only caveat is his family situation, given he and his wife Brodie welcomed their first child last April. They don’t have any family here and that might become tricky to manage in the future. At some point in time – whether it is at the end of his career or earlier – he will have to go home. But for the medium term, it is feasible.
For the club, they saw enough last season to know that Metcalf could become a truly elite half. While he has limited experience as a number 7 and chief playmaker his progress was impressive and his ceiling is high. The only concern is his luckless run with injuries, after an earlier ACL at Manly in 2019, persistent hamstring issues and the broken leg suffered in 2024, though he has come back stronger each time.
The club and Metcalf’s representative were content to settle on a two-year extension, which gives him a further three seasons as a Warrior, given he is already signed for 2026.
Luke Metcalf is greeted by Warriors supporters. Photo / Photosport
Those close to the negotiations have described them as “fairly smooth”. There was “no angst”, as one insider put it, even if financial figures went back and forth. That was normal, as Metcalf has landed on a significant upgrade, which puts him inside the five highest earners at the club.
But Metcalf is grateful that the club backed him as long ago as November 2021, when the deal was first done to bring him to the Warriors. There is a debt there, that he hasn’t forgotten.
The 26-year-old was also aware of the hidden danger of moving on from a place where he has played the best football of his career and the team is built around him to leave for a different coach, different structure, different ideas and different pressures.
Conversely, the Warriors were thrilled with Metcalf’s progress in 2025. He sought the No 7 jersey, wanted to take control of the team and delivered. There were big shoes to fill with the retirement of Shaun Johnson, but he never looked overawed. It wasn’t perfect at times – as there is so much to learn about being an on-field general – but you can see the trajectory and the Warriors believe he can be the elite playmaker they need to chase the biggest prize.
While the November 1 deadline loomed warily for outsiders, it wasn’t really an issue for both parties. The contract probably would have been signed earlier but for a busy October. Metcalf married his long-time partner Brodie in Queenstown on October 11 before they went on their honeymoon. They returned to Auckland on October 22 and the contract was signed the following day.
Michael Burgess has been a Sports Journalist for the New Zealand Herald since 2010, covering the Olympics, Fifa World Cups, and America’s Cup campaigns. He is a co-host of the Big League podcast.