NZ Warriors chief executive Cameron George has hit back at suggestions the NRL club has dropped the ball on recruitment, after confirming Reece Walsh's early departure.
The standout fullback has been granted a release from his final year of his contract on compassionate grounds and has inked a A$1 million-plus, three-year deal with Brisbane Broncos, according to Australia's Courier Mail.
The 19-year-old joins former head coach Nathan Brown and prop Matt Lodge in making sudden exits from the club, with centre/second rower Euan Aitken also leaving at the end of the season, all unwilling to move across the Tasman.
But George has defended the Warriors' decision-making, and remains confident in his and owner Mark Robinson's abilities to lead the club.
"If you walked in the shoes of what we've done over the last couple of years - and it has presented a myriad of challenges - we haven't been able to connect fully as a club," he said.
"We've had staff on both sides of the Tasman, we've had futures training, and invested more heavily and wisely into the platforms and pathways and programmes, and so forth.
"Our roster next year… we have two spots available on our roster. We've got a fantastic roster for next year.
"If you've been through the individuals that are coming to the footy club next year, I think they're a quality team, right across the board."
Canberra Raiders fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad will join the club as Walsh's replacement, after previously playing for Warriors in 2018.
George used his signing as an example of other clubs having to deal with similar issues.
"These situations will occur, not only at our club, but at any club," he said. "We had a situation where Canberra let their player go for the same reason - personal circumstances.
"Some people can handle that and some people can't. You can't talk about personal circumstances like this."
Warriors recruitment has historically come under intense scrutiny, especially their lack of pullpower to attract big names and, more importantly, keep them.
George admits wins are important for the Warriors to draw players and hopes greater focus on junior pathways will help them do that.
"It's something we need to get a flow on from our junior pathways and development," he said. "That's been absent from us the last couple of years.
"We hope to really see that occur in the next couple of years. It's something we really got to ignite… our biggest issue is attracting players here in normal circumstances.
"The people that do come here really enjoy it. It's a balancing effect we have to get it right, but what gets it right is winning, ultimately, and that attracts good people here and good players here."
Veterans Mitch Barnett (Newcastle Knights) and Dylan Walker (Manly Sea Eagles) have already been confirmed as recruits for next season, and George is confident the pair will welcome the move across the Tasman.
"At this stage - absolutely. We haven't had any discussion with any other player about not relocating to New Zealand."
