Former NRL star James Graham believes the Warriors decided to move the goalposts after the Broncos emerged as favourites for Mitch Barnett’s signature.
On Tuesday, Barnett revealed he will return to Australia for family reasons at the end of the year, with New Zealand granting him a release on family compassionate grounds from the final year of his contract.
Barnett wants to move back close to Taree, where his family are located, so he can better support his family and child.
In the hours that followed several clubs expressed their interest in the Origin prop, including the Broncos and Eels.
While they initially agreed to let Barnett go on compassionate grounds, no strings attached, Warriors CEO Cameron George quickly changed his tune, stating they would require a player or two in return from whatever club is interested.
And Graham believes that change of tune is solely down to Brisbane – who have a war chest to target a premium forward after Payne Haas’ exit – being favourites for his signature.
“I think this is potentially a reaction to the news that Brisbane were one of the frontrunners. They [the Warriors] have gone, ‘Mitch, we’re going to treat him and his family and his loved ones [well] and genuinely care for this situation, but hang on, the Broncos! We’re not giving you him for nothing’,” Graham said on The Bye Round podcast.
“It’s no coincidence that yesterday everybody’s playing happy families and … Brisbane emerge as the frontrunners and then all of a sudden the Warriors come out and say, ‘But we’re going to want something in return’.
“The rules of engagement have changed.”
The other team that makes sense is the Knights, as it is the closest club to where his family lives in NSW’s Mid North Coast, and is also his former team, with the 31-year-old running out 126 times for the Novocastrians.
And Graham hypothesised that is where the Warriors initially thought Barnett would land.
“[With] all due respect to the Newcastle Knights, if the Warriors allowed Mitch Barnett to go back to the Knights, I think they would see that based off where the Knights are at, they’re not a genuine competitor,” Graham continued.
“As harsh as that may sound on the Knights, [the Warriors would be thinking], ‘We are not bettering … a direct threat to us in the NRL’.”
The Eels are also a potential destination, expressing interest in Barnett’s signature after missing out on the signing of Keaon Koloamatangi.
Yet it could come down to what a team can offer as compensation to the Warriors, with the New Zealand side ready to dig its heels in.
“Mitch and his agent know very clearly that whilst we’ve been completely considerate and understanding of this situation in agreeing to release him, there is a business component to it,” Warriors CEO Cameron George told SMH.
“And that is we expect to be compensated in the form of a player or two for allowing Mitch to go home, from the club that shows interest. We will work through that process.
“There’s probably only 12 clubs that would fit his bill … There’s no point sitting here and guessing who or what that [compensation is until Gav [Barnett’s agent Gavin Orr] rings us and says ‘Club A is interested in Mitch and this is what they can offer up. Or is there something else you prefer?’ That’s how that conversation starts. Until that happens, you don’t know.”
George said a transfer fee – which doesn’t provide any salary cap assistance – is off the table.
Originally published as Warriors demand player swap after Broncos enter Mitch Barnett chase