Broncos Find Payne Haas Replacement after Signing Mitch Barnett

2026-03-12 - 04:57

The Broncos have reportedly won the race for Mitch Barnett’s signature, with the Warriors gun set to join Brisbane on multi-year deal from 2027. Code Sports are reporting Barnett’s Broncos deal is worth $800,000 a season, with two years guaranteed. Included is an option for a third year. It represents a pay-cut for the 177-game veteran. It comes after Barnett was granted an early release from his Warriors contract on compassionate grounds in order to return to Australia. The Warriors are expected to receive compensation from the Broncos as part of Barnett’s deal. The Blues representative star was chased hard by the Parramatta Eels, Broncos and Manly Sea Eagles. The Dragons were also reported to be interested but didn’t submit an official offer. Barnett’s signing is a major win for Broncos Michael Maguire who flew to Sydney earlier this month to meet with the 31-year-old. “He’s a great character and obviously my style of player,” Maguire said last week “I talk to a lot of the players that I’ve coached over time, and he’s one of them.” The embattled Broncos coach has come under fire after superstar prop Payne Haas stunned the NRL by signing with the South Sydney Rabbitohs from next season. Haas’ move, coupled with an indifferent start to the season, has turned up the heat on Maguire despite winning the NRL premiership last season, Barnett played alongside Haas in the Blues’ forward pack in 2024 and 2025, winning an Origin series under Maguire.