Maguire's Call: Barnett Swaps Warriors for Brisbane

Mitch Barnett, originally anticipating a 2027 return to Newcastle, has instead committed to the Brisbane Broncos after a call from coach Michael Maguire. Granted a release from the final year of his Warriors contract on compassionate grounds in late March 2026, the 32-year-old forward initially leaned towards Newcastle. However, the opportunity to be closer to his wife's family in Brisbane, coupled with his existing relationship with Maguire from his NSW Origin debut, became the deciding factors.

Barnett's transition aims for a positive departure from the Warriors, with the club encouraging him to finalize his move before the season commenced to allow him to focus on performance. This decision comes after Barnett's recovery from a season-ending ACL injury in 2025 and a broken thumb in round four of 2026. He remains hopeful for a State of Origin recall in the coming months.