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'Licking my lips': Warriors forward pack inspires Ford to stay
Sport Nation • August 6th, 2026 10:03 am
Jackson Ford | Photo: Photosport
Jackson Ford might be stuck watching from the sideline, but he is already itching to get back into the thick of it with the Warriors pack.
The 28-year-old has signed a two-year extension through to the end of 2029, locking in one of the club’s biggest improvers after a standout shift into the front row.
Ford’s career-best season was cut short by a pectoral injury against North Queensland in June, just as he was being spoken about as one of the NRL’s form middle forwards.
Speaking with Scotty & Izzy, Ford said the early weeks of recovery were tough, especially with the Warriors charging on without him.
“I feel like the first couple weeks was probably the hardest, just accepting the fact that I’m going to be out for a while,” Ford said.
“Watching the boys play and feeling like you’re a bit useless.
“But now I’m starting to integrate a bit more into training and being able to do a bit more.”
That hunger to be involved again says plenty about why he chose to stay.
Asked about the Warriors pack ahead of their clash with Penrith, Ford lit up.
“We’ve also got a pretty good pack ourselves, so I’m not going to look too much at their pack,” he said.
“I’m looking at my pack and licking my lips.
“That’s why I signed here. I want to be with these boys for the rest of my life.”
Ford said Andrew Webster’s genuine care, the club’s trajectory and the young talent coming through made the decision easy.
If his rehab tracks well, he could return in around five weeks, right when the Warriors need big bodies most.
Listen to the full interview below:
