Brisbane have rocketed to the top of the market in the Mitch Barnett sweepstakes following reports they’ve made a $1.5 million play for the star forward.

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Barnett met Broncos coach Michael Maguire in Sydney in recent days with the club impressed enough to offer the Warriors prop a multi-year deal according to Code Sports.

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The Broncos have plenty of cap space next season given Payne Haas will be departing the club for Souths at the end of 2026.

Barnett, who was under contract with the Warriors until the end of 2027, requested an early release from on compassionate grounds to be closer to family in Taree.

The Warriors granted Barnett’s request, but CEO Cameron George has since stated that no deal will be done unless the club receives something in return.

It’s unknown whether the Broncos have a player in mind they’d consider sending to the Warriors in order to sign the 32-year-old, but Code Sports are reporting that talks between the Broncos and the Origin star are set to heat up on Monday.

The contract on the table as it stands is a two-year deal worth $750,000 a season.

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“This guys has come of age since he went over to the Warriors. He has become a real leader and goes after the opposition,” Kieran Foran said on Fox League’s Sunday Ticket.

“He is a star front-rower in our game and just his presence on the field I think would work wonders for that Brisbane side (especially with) losing a player like Payne.

“You can see why Brisbane are chasing him, why wouldn’t you? I’m sure there are a number of clubs. It’s going to be interesting to see where he goes.”

Michael Ennis added, “I don’t think you’ll see any reluctance from clubs to sign him. It’s not just what Barnett brings (on the field), its what he brings Monday to Friday too.”

“He is just such a professional. You can’t put a price on a front-rower that leads by example with his training, with his preparation and what he does for the rest of the group.”

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This development comes following interesting comments made by Broncos star Pat Carrigan, who isn’t ruling out an overseas switch to the PNG Chiefs in 2028.

The Chiefs are set to become the NRL’s 19th team and enter the comp in two years’ time.

Carrigan said that the potential to sign a rich tax-free contract does appeal to himself and several other players around the league.

“You never rule it out … It’s a business. You learn how this game goes,” Carrigan said of a potential move to Papua New Guinea.

“I will say, when I grew up, the only jersey I ever saw myself wearing was a Broncos jersey.

“I’m happy doing that at the moment and I’m loving that but I think there’d be a fair list of boys trying to join that PNG crew if it’s tax-free dollars.”

With the Chiefs set to join the comp in 2028, it means they’ll be able to sign players from November 1 of this year.

Carrigan won’t become a free agent until November 1, 2027 as he has signed with Brisbane through to the end of 2028.

“Pat Carrigan to Brisbane is so important and even more important now with Payne Haas leaving. (He’s a) premiership-winner, captain and absolute elite forward,” Michael Ennis said on the forward potentially being open to a club switch.”