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White Ferns LIVE from 7pm'He changed our culture': Webster hails Barnett as Warriors plan for life after co-captain's exit
Stephen Foote •  February 25th, 2026 11:23 am
Mitchell Barnett, Andrew Webster | Photo: Photosport
Plaudits have flowed for Mitchell Barnett in the wake of the announcement of his early departure from the Warriors.
On Tuesday, the club confirmed their talismanic co-captain would be heading back to his homeland at the end of the upcoming season, foregoing the final year of his contract on compassionate grounds.
Among those lauding Barnett's impact with the Warriors was his coach Andrew Webster, but with one important qualifier.
He still has an entire season left to play at Mt Smart.
"He's certainly been a big part of changing our culture," Webster told Sport Nation.
"I think people have said he's similar to what Kevin Campion did a long time ago for the club. I feel like he's grown as a player, he's played his best football here, but he's also made us way better as a club.
"If anyone knows Mitch, I can promise you he cares so much about winning, cares about this club and the thing I'm feeling right now is like he's got nine more months with us. He's got a full season that's not been played yet, so we get to have the fruits of Mitch and he can leave an even better legacy than he has already."Â
Under Webster's tutelage, the man affectionately know as 'Barney' has blossomed into one of the most damaging front-rowers in the game.
Warriors coach Andrew Webster on replacing Mitch Barnett | Millsy & Guy
In 2022, he signed on with the Warriors from the Newcastle Knights tarnished - fairly or unfairly - with the 'bad boy' brush after a series of suspensions.
Coincidentally, the Knights also granted Barnett an early release from his contract to ink his deal with the Warriors, which he did so in the midst of a six-game ban for striking.
The reputation that preceded him now seems a distant memory, myths quickly dispelled by his workhorse mentality that helped propel the Warriors to their first top-four finish in 15 years.Â
The following season saw him earn State of Origin selection with New South Wales, which Webster recalled began his evolution into a leadership role the team desperately needed in light of the long-term injuries to Shaun Johnson and skipper Tohu Harris.
"He came back from Origin with so much confidence and belief in his own game," Webster said.Â
"I think his voice was having an impact at Origin level like it was here, and then I think he realised I've got a lot more to offer in this space.Â
He very much just wanted to lead with his actions, and then jump in every now and then with his voice. But then I think he realised he wanted that extra responsibility and we wanted him to have it."
While that leadership may well leave the biggest void, Webster is adamant he has complete faith in the host of thriving young forward talent to step up in Barnett's eventual absence - particularly with the benefit of another season to develop under the Aussie before he departs.
It's certainly a familiar situation for the club, he points out.
"A week in rugby league is a long time, let alone a full season of rugby league, so I've got a feeling that these younger players are going to be even better.Â
"His legacy is not done yet and what he can deliver, how they grow and develop with him around. It could be the fact that their transition is smoother. I'm not saying it's going to be the same because Mitch is one of a kind, but it will certainly be smoother and leave us in good stead.Â
The loss of Mitchell Barnett as a Warriors leader | Millsy & Guy
"I don't know if everyone remembers, but we lost Tohu (Harris), who basically said that he's retiring the previous season. We lost Shaun (Johnson), was going to go around one more year and then didn't, and then Dylan Walker left after like round three or four. So they were all sudden. This is a full season of rugby league where it can be a smoother transition."
That said, the Warriors will have to negotiate the early rounds with Barnett, who is still recovering from the ACL injury that cut his 2025 season short at the halfway mark.
Webster says they're expecting him to return to the fold approximately round three or four.
As for how they'll use the significant chunk of cap space freed up by Barnett's exit, Webster insists it won't necessarily be a like-for-like replacement but a direction based on how their current crop of players evolve over the upcoming season.Â
"What we've got to make sure we do is don't try and replace him. It's not like there's many Mitch Barnett's floating around as a front-rower.The other thing too is we've got to make sure that they're the right type of player that's going to have an impact.
"In three months' time, our young guys could progress to the next level that we'd be mad to go out and try and get another front-rower. We might need to pivot and go in a different direction.Â
"It's all on the table at the moment, which way we go, but I think that'll become clearer once we start playing footy. But I think we can definitely keep our powder dry for now. I need to sit down more and talk more with Andrew McFadden and Cameron George. It's so raw.
"But we've got a lot of faith that our young guys can stand up. But if we need to replace him, and it's the best thing for our club, we'll try and go and get another front row, but we'll just sit and wait for now."
Listen to the full interview below:
