Warriors 'very sad' as captain and Origin star Mitch Barnett quits for personal reasons

The Warriors are "very sad" after announcing co-captain Mitch Barnett will quit the club at year's end and move back to Australia.

Barnett will see out 2026 with the Auckland-based team before ending his contract early and heading back across the Tasman for "personal reasons".

It's been reported Barnett, 31, wants to be closer to family due to medical needs for his child.

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"We're very sad to see this happen but Mitch and his family need to be back home," Warriors boss Cameron George said in a statement on Tuesday morning.

"He has become such a big part of our club.

We love having him here and we know how much he loves it, too, but it's important he, Clare and their boys are back around their family support network."

Barnett started his career in Canberra before moving to Newcastle in 2016 and playing 126 games for the Knights.

His game went to a new level after joining the Warriors in 2023.

He made his State of Origin debut for the Blues in 2024 and also played three games for the Kangaroos later that year.

He was made co-captain of the Warriors and was one of their best players until rupturing an anterior cruciate ligament in his knee last season.

He is slated to return in the early rounds of this season.

It's not yet known which NRL team will snap up his services for 2027 and beyond.