Mitch Barnett has spoken publicly for the first time since his decision to leave the Warriors, admitting it has been a “very tough” situation to navigate.
The star front-rower, who is nearing a return from an ACL injury, was granted an early release from his Warriors contract last month on compassionate grounds.
Barnett will return to Australia for the 2027 season and beyond, as he moves closer to home on the NSW mid-north coast due to a sick child.
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A stack of clubs are in the mix to land the NSW Blues and Kangaroos forward.
Mitchell Barnett in action for NSW. Getty
Brisbane have emerged as one of the early front-runners due to Barnett’s relationship with coach Michael Maguire, while the likes of the Eels, Dragons and Sea Eagles have also expressed interest in luring the tough representative enforcer.
During an interview with Shaun Johnson on Sky Sports, the 31-year-old admitted the situation had been difficult but was willing to leave it all on the field for the Warriors.
“I won’t dive into any details with that but it has been very tough and I have worked with the club over the situation,” Barnett said.
“I have to protect my family. I haven’t revealed any details, but the club knows I’m making the decision as a father and the support from social media has been unreal.
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“It hasn’t been an overnight decision. I will be going back to Australia at the end of the season but I am still here this year and keen to rip in. I want to go out on a high note.
“I’m just ready to go. I don’t care what round it is, who it is, I’m ready to go. I have been ready to go since before Christmas. I have ticked some things off that I needed to.
“Watching the boys run out there and do a job on the Roosters [in round one] has got me amped up. Wherever the team needs me to slot in … I’m ready to go.”
Mitch Barnett will leave the Warriors at the end of 2026. Getty
As for what he will bring to his next club, Barnett is adamant his age and recent injury issues won’t be a problem due to his work ethic on and off the field.
“My game is not pretty,” he said.
“I do all the small efforts and all the things that people don’t see really well.
“I pride myself on trying to be tough and I just think I’d love to see that continue down through the generations. I’ve had a lot going on outside of my football with my family.”
Barnett has played 177 matches across stints with the Raiders, Knights and Warriors.
He was once seen as a hothead – something Barnett admitted in an interview with Wide World Of Sports last year – before developing into a respected leader in Auckland.