The New Zealand Warriors are prepared to release star forward Mitch Barnett to an NRL club in Australia for family reasons, but they won’t be letting him go for free. Instead, the Warriors expect compensation in the form of one or two players from any interested club.
Barnett is set to return to Australia at the end of the year, having been granted a release from the final year of his contract on compassionate grounds. The need to be closer to his family, particularly due to a child’s medical requirements, has driven this decision. His availability has already sparked interest from clubs like the Brisbane Broncos and Parramatta Eels, with initial inquiries made shortly after the news broke.
Warriors CEO Cameron George emphasised that while the club is understanding and supportive of Barnett’s situation, there’s a business aspect to consider. “Mitch and his agent know very clearly that whilst we’ve been completely considerate and understanding of this situation in agreeing to release him, there is a business component to it,” George stated. “And that is we expect to be compensated in the form of a player or two for allowing Mitch to go home, from the club that shows interest.”
George clarified that any compensation would not be in the form of a cash transfer fee, as this offers no salary cap advantage to the Warriors. “We want to be compensated in the form of a player,” he explained. “What that position and who that player is, each club could have a different alternative for us.” The specifics of the player or players involved will be determined through negotiations once interested clubs formally approach Barnett’s agent, Gavin Orr.
“There’s probably only 12 clubs that would fit his bill… There’s no point sitting here and guessing who or what that [compensation is until Gav [Barnett’s agent Gavin Orr] rings us and says ‘Club A is interested in Mitch and this is what they can offer up. Or is there something else you prefer?’ That’s how that conversation starts. Until that happens, you don’t know.”
Mitch Barnett himself acknowledged the difficulty of breaking the news to his teammates. He explained that the decision had been a long time in the making, with the need to prioritise his family’s needs taking precedence. “The decision has come over a period of time, we’re trying to work through a decision that developed a while back,” Barnett told the club’s website. “It’s come to this point in time, it’s not a decision that was made overnight… I had to put my family first.”
He further elaborated on the timing, stating, “I’m a father first, a husband first. People probably think ‘Why now?’. It’s so that it doesn’t impact this season.” The Warriors’ understanding and support for Barnett and his family have been a key factor in facilitating this move.
Roosters Unveil New Playmaking Dynamic with Cherry-Evans and Walker
Meanwhile, the Sydney Roosters are building what could be a formidable playmaking partnership, with veteran captain Daly Cherry-Evans joining forces with young gun Sam Walker. This highly anticipated move sees Cherry-Evans, the third-oldest player in the NRL era at 37, transitioning into a new role for the Tricolours.
In a recent trial match against the Parramatta Eels, the combination of Cherry-Evans and Walker showed promising signs. Despite a loss, Walker impressed in his 50-minute stint, scoring a solo try, providing two assists, and executing a 40-20 kick. Cherry-Evans, wearing the No. 6 jersey, largely managed the kicking and game management duties, allowing Walker to express his creativity.
Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold has previously noted the unpredictable nature of both Walker and Cherry-Evans as halves. Roosters coach Trent Robinson expressed his belief that Walker is developing into a dominant halfback with a strong creative streak that the club wants him to unleash.
After 15 years and 352 NRL games, Cherry-Evans is now a crucial component of what is shaping up to be the game’s most potent attacking spine. He understands his role in facilitating the team’s success and nurturing Walker’s development.
“Being in a new club, I’ll naturally adapt to what the team needs,” Cherry-Evans commented after his first outing in the Roosters’ colours. “Naturally, I’m going to have that halfback mindset, that older, experienced leadership mentality. If I can have Sam Walker thinking more freely, then that’s definitely part of my job. Let him play the way that he can play… Hopefully [playing five-eighth] adds more to my game. But I’ve been playing for a long time, so there’s a lot of my game that’s going to be very similar when it comes to the way a halfback plays.”
He continued, “Yeah, I’m wearing No.6, but there’s a lot of things that I need to do for this team when it comes to leading the team around. That will stay the same for me, but hopefully as the year evolves, we evolve as well. We want to get to a point where we know where the ball’s going, but the opposition doesn’t.” This strategic pairing aims to create an unpredictable and potent attacking force for the Roosters.
