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:
4. Melbourne Storm
Barnett's statement was clear that he was moving to be closer to home. Melbourne is a 90 minute flight to Newcastle.
The Storm were reportedly set to go all in on a play to bring Tino Fa'asuamaleaui back to the club, prior to his re-committing to the Titans.
Having lost Ryan Papenhuyzen to potential retirement, there's no secret that the Storm are looking to land a big fish.
There's a reason they're willing to go to court to try and secure Zac Lomax.
Players have proven, multiple times over, that they're willing to take a pay cut to play in Melbourne.
Perennial title contenders, the thought of the Storm adding Mitch Barnett is downright frightening.
Stefano Utoikamanu looked every bit a NSW quality prop the literal second hie put on the Storm jumper last year.
Imagine a player of Barnett's abilities running out under Craig Bellamy and co!?
They can make the money available and he starts with King shifting to the bench.
This would give the Storm an all NSW Origin starting front row. Awesome.
