The Warriors have granted Mitchell Barnett an early release from his playing contract with the club, after the State of Origin prop requested the exit on compassionate grounds relating to his child’s medical needs.
The Taree-born Barnett was contracted to the Warriors until the end of 2027, but will now be returning to play with an Australian-based club. Where has not yet been revealed, though the Newcastle Knights are by far the closest club in the competition; the short drive between Taree and the Hunter is down to around two hours by car these days.
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The Warriors told fans about the release on Tuesday morning, after speaking to Barnett at length and agreeing that it would be best for him to return to be closer to family. He’ll play out the 2026 NRL season before leaving.
“It’s extremely hard coming to this decision,” Barnett said Tuesday. “The decision I’ve made is the one that’s best for my family. This is based purely on our child’s medical needs and our need to be back around family going forward. I’m a father and husband before a footballer, and that’s why, ultimately, I’m extremely comfortable with the decision.”
Barnett explained that he’d been thinking about the call for some time, and struggled with the fact that Andrew Webster and the Auckland club had been so pivotal in helping him recover from a torn ACL, as well as elevating his game to the level where he started for New South Wales in Origin last season, and played for Australia in the 2024 Pacific Championships.
“The situation has developed since November, and there’s been constant communication with Webby [Andrew Webster] and Cam [George], and they’ve been really good to me and my family,’’ Barnett told News Corp today.
“They’re very understanding of the situation, they know everything in detail, and they’re completely supportive of it.”
“Although it’s a situation no one planned for, they supported me through it, and I just can’t speak highly enough of them. I spent time speaking with Webby more as a mate than as a coach. He really helped me come to the decision.’’
Barnett has said he hasn’t spoken to any clubs yet, but flagged that because his family is based on New South Wales’ north coast, the location of his next club was paramount to providing the family support for his child. He’s already been linked to the Broncos and Titans, but they’re further away than even Wollongong, leaving any Sydney club in play.
“Predominantly, the family we’re trying to get close to is in Taree,’’ Barnett explained today
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“I think, you know, any of those sort of teams around NSW or Queensland, where it will be easily accessible for family, narrows it down, but there’s been no discussion. One, they’ve got to be interested in me. And two, I just haven’t thought of that. “The decision concerns only my child, and that’s what we’ve been dealing with at the Warriors.”
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“My body is feeling great. The way the game is now, you can play until you’re a bit older, but I’m also not greedy as well. I don’t want to go and sign ridiculously long deals,” Barnett continued. “I’ll see what is out there.”
Barnett will begin his last year with the Warriors on Friday, March 6, against the Roosters.
