Mitch Barnett is reportedly heading to the Brisbane Broncos in 2027, and the Warriors are said to have identified a teenage phenom who hasn’t even made his NRL debut as the player they want in return. The Warriors have granted Barnett a release for 2027 under the proviso they get a player in return from his new club.
The Broncos, Eels, Dragons and Sea Eagles were said to be the contenders to land the State of Origin forward, after Newcastle withdrew from the race. On Thursday, The Daily Telegraph reported that Brisbane has won the race.
The Broncos have landed Mitch Barnett (L). Image: Getty
The Broncos tabled a two-year offer to Barnett worth $800,000 per season, with an option for a third year. He’ll be a great replacement for the South Sydney-bound Payne Haas.
Leading journalist Peter Badel wrote on Wednesday that Antonio Verhoeven is the Broncos player who could land at the Warriors in a swap deal. The 19-year-old was born in New Zealand and is being touted as a future superstar of the game. An outside back, Verhoeven has played Australian schoolboys and has been training with the Broncos’ NRL squad this year.
According to Badel, the Warriors are ‘exploring’ a potential swap to land Verhoeven. But he added: “Michael Maguire has huge wraps on the well-built three-quarter, so it’s hard to see the Broncos letting him go.”
Antonio Verhoeven has huge raps on him. Image: West Coast Rugby League/St Bede’s College
Mitch Barnett speaks out on decision to leave Warriors
Badel named Tyrell Sloan from the Dragons, Jordan Samrani from the Eels and Jason Saab from Manly as the other players the Warriors would have wanted from those clubs. The fact they’re all outside backs is interesting considering they brought in Alofiana Khan-Pereira (from the Titans) this season and are set to land Will Warbrick (from Melbourne) in 2027.
The Eels reportedly made Barnett a three-year offer worth $2 million all up. The 31-year-old asked the Warriors for an early release so he could be closer to family in Australia while he navigates his child’s health issues.
“I have to protect my family,” he said on Sky Sports on Wednesday. “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.
“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.”