The Brisbane Broncos have won the race to sign Australian representative Mitch Barnett on a two-year deal starting next year.
The reigning premiers have sought their Payne Haas replacement, despite many clubs circling for Barnett's signature, including the Manly Sea Eagles and Parramatta Eels.
The Daily Telegraph is reporting he has accepted the Broncos' $2.4million offer over two years.
Barnett told the Warriors he plans to move back to Australia next year and to be released on compassionate grounds; however, the Warriors are seeking a like-for-like replacement.
His manager, Gavin Orr, spoke with the Sydney Morning Herald today, saying it was a family-based decision to head to Brisbane, and took all the clubs that tabled offers as serious considerations.
“That fitted well into what they want to do with the rest of their life in moving back to Australia. At the end of the day, it didn't come down to money,” he said.
“They were great offers from Parramatta and Manly. Mitch got to speak to all of the coaches before making his decision. He didn't make it lightly – he did plenty of research on all the clubs.”
Broncos teen star Antonio Verhoeven looks like the front-runner to round out the swap-deal between the two sides.
Barnett will return from an ACL injury in the coming weeks as he prepares to finish up his stint for the Warriors in 2026.
Barnett has asked for a release to be near family in Taree.
To drive there from Brisbane takes more than six hours.
If family is genuinely the reason for quitting NZ, he would have been better to go to Newcastle – just two hours away.
Exactly, but going to Parra would be closer then Brisbane as well.
Really good signing, Welcome to the bronx We need u.
Bron vs eels game i seen payne do things he’s never done b4 ( just jogged and not put his body on the line 2 save a try like he has always done 4 Brisbane) OR him scoring a try and not celebrating it at all normally he’s ripping off the badge!!! He’s already GONE and he’s disrupting the team shellshocked the way HE’S BROKEN BRISBANE HEART and to all the players we have lost.