LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
Mitchell Barnett, the skipper of the New Zealand Warriors, may be sidelined for the 2025 NRL Finals, but he remains actively engaged with his team as they prepare to challenge the Penrith Panthers.
After suffering a ruptured ACL in June, Barnett's playing season was cut short. However, he continues to be a supportive presence in the first-grade squad, taking on a more prominent vocal role during training sessions.
This involvement allows him to mentor younger players, especially the forwards who lack finals experience and are up against a team vying for their fifth consecutive premiership. Barnett shared his approach, saying, "I try to (help mentor) but give them their distance too, though. When I see something I say it, that's probably the way I would put it." He has also provided feedback to coach Andrew Webster, helping to gauge the team's morale.
Barnett has been working on being more vocal during training, noting, "I've sort of been a bit of an ear for Webby [Andrew Webster] as well at stages, and then just sort of check the morale of the group." His aim is to be a guiding influence, especially since he can't travel with the team. "Whenever someone's needed me I've just helped them out and talked over how the game's going," he added.