Huge news broke on Tuesday that Warriors and NSW Blues prop Mitchell Barnett will be leaving the club at the end of the 2026 season.
The monster middle was having a career best start to the season in 2025 before an ACL ended his year in horror circumstances.
He will return to the Warriors, hopefully as soon as Round 1, but now fans face the unfortunate scenario of knowing he is moving at seasons end.
Barnett needs to be closer to home to care for his child.
Being he is from Taree, this rules out the likes of the cashed up Perth Bears.
Where will Mitch Barnett end up in 2027 I hear you ask? Well, there won't be any worries re potential suitors, with nearly every club in the competition likely to be on alert following the announcement.
Here are five potential landing spots for Mitchell Barnett for 2027:
3. Cronulla Sharks
There is no secret that the Sharks have a host of NRL quality talent off contract at the end of the season.
Sifa Talakai, Toby Rudolf, Cameron McInnes and Braden Uele are all off contract in the middle of the park. Add to that Sione Katoa and Jesse Ramien also.
The Sharks are set to free up a massive amount of salary cap space, should the majority of these players exit the club.
This would also open up a spot beside former teammate Addin Fonua-Blake in the Sharks engine room.
Cronulla have made two Prelim Finals in a row but look an elite wrecking ball forward short of taking that next step.
The literal perfect match may have fallen into their laps.
I have no doubt in the world that the Sharks have already spoken with AFB re putting in a good word about the Shire based club.
