Cam George is Whistling Dixee. He has no bargaining leverage. He can't hold Barnett back unless a player is given in compensation as Barnett is refusing to play here next year. We have no bargaining position. We have tried before to get compensation given to us for players and failed eg we tried with Reece Walsh (don't ask me for an article to prove that I just remember it, if you don't remember that then let's go with your memory I don't care).
Diden't we sorta get
TMM out of his contract early for that?
Also assuming that since they've known since november, it feels safe to say they've already got some offers for a trade. But i'd say because of this line
... guessing who or what that [compensation is until Barnett’s agent 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?
they've already aligned on what price
barnett would accept. And therefore the deciding factor on what club he goes to is at the discretion of the warriors. To which i think the criteria would be:
1. The club is willing to let go of the player(s) for
barnett.
2. The player is offerable. I.E
- The player is on the outer already so offering them to the warriors would not ruin there motvation to play.
- The player has reached out to there manager saying they'd be interested in going to the warriors for a opportunity.
- The player has a strong connection to NZ.
- The warriors have airmarked the player and communicated with their club that the warriors are willing to make the trade for that player. ( I think this is unlikely, as it would require the club to admit they value barnett over themselves, and hope that player is willing to move).
3. The warriors can/will offer them what they think the're worth.
4. They have cap space for
barnett.
5.
They have to be on contract for 2027. Because otherwise it's not a player swap.
6. The warriors want them.
And to that i think three clubs want
barnett the most. That being Broncos, they need an experienced forward outside of patty. The eels as Paulo and Walker are in their final year this year. And finally the knights as they've lost Thompson and only really have Saifiti left. They need a pack leader. And with that being said here are some prospects i think are possibilities:
1. Deine Mariner. - Broncos
- Born and raised in auckland. Although his family has moved from here to aus. His grand parents are still here.
- Is contracted till the end of 2027.
- Currently signed in 2023 to the broncos till 2027 a couple of months after his debut. And because of salary cap and it being an early contract we can very likely offer a lot more money than the broncos are willing to pay him in 2027.
- Plays center and winger, positions we lack strike power in. But also a position the broncos are stacked in. Winger for most of last year, with only 4 good games at center. But he did play center for samoa and for most of 2024.
- Why not x from the broncos? Arthars is not signed for 2027. So if we want him we will be negotiating now. Staggs resigned in 2025 for good mone and i cannot imagine the broncos willingly losing him. But his partner's dad is Richard Bechts who is the media manager here, so he does have a connection to NZ (and would the the prefrence over mariner IMO). Willison/Riki they will not trade, nor do i think we need them. Te Kura is a born and raised bronco.
2. Kalyn Ponga - Knights.
- Parents are from NZ.
- Is contracted till the end of 2027
- Is on a speculated 1.2m, with the knights also paying for Dylan Brown at 1.2-1.4m, Best at 700k+. Knights will be struggling to get or even keep any talent in the front row.
- Sandon Smith has signed for 4 years. I don't think he signed to play NSW grade. Fletcher sharpe is to good to not be playing. Brown is paid to much to not play. Surely either they need to move smith on directly after signing his 4 year contract or move on ponga to make room for sharpe.
- Personally sharpe being the fullback and allowing brown to be the best 5/8 in the world while also bringing in one of the best props in the world for ponga could be worth it.
- We need a great fullback with x factor. An attacking threat.
- What makes it unlikely? Price (we'd have to pay an extra 400k i think above Barnetts). If they wanted to roll ponga off, surely he would start co-captianancy this year, so im unsure newy would ever let him go. Would ponga want to leave?
- Why not x from the knights? Sharpe is the knights future. There are no forwards to take. Gagai is to old. I think best would be the better option over ponga, but he has no connection here. Nor is he on the outer.
3. Starford To'a - Tigers (surprise pick)
- Born and Raised in Auckland.
- Signed till the end of 2028
- Would be on a fair wage as he resigned in 2025.
- Same as Mariner here, plays center, wing and fullback. Mainly center and has amazing attacking upside while still holding his own very well. 7 TAs and 9 Ts in just 16 games.
- With Taylan May's coming into the squad there is one extra center for the tigers. So although it would hurt to lose him, it's not ruining the future for a short term prop game.
- Although the tigers front rowers are not lacking like the broncos will be without haas or the knights. They are lacking in a true leader and exprence. Barnett brings that in truck loads. They also lack a good lock. I think they will really want barnett if they can afford him.
Overall though, if we don't find a transfer before late this season. I agree with most that
barney will be leaving regardless. I just think
Barnett is doing right by the club by allowing them to use him as levarge to break contracts. Also unsure if it truely matters to him where in aus it is. As long as it's not radiers, bears or cowboys. As Sydney and Queensland have great hospitals.
Off contract and free to sign elsewhere for 2027: Rocco Berry, Tanah Boyd, Kurt Capewell, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Te Maire Martin
Will be off contract and free to sign elsewhere for 2028 from November 1st, 2026: Jett Cleary, Wayde Egan, Kayliss Fatialofa, Jackson Ford, Sam Healey, Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, Ali Leiataua, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Motu Pasikala, Adam Pompey, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
