Warriors co-captain Mitch Barnett ruled out for rest of season with ruptured ACL
Monday, 2 June 2025
The Warriors have confirmed co-captain Mitch Barnett has suffered a season-ending rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee.
The injury was suffered early in Sunday’s 36-30 win over the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Accor Stadium as the prop made a tackle on Jayden Sullivan alongside team-mate Chanel Harris-Tavita.
In a post on Instagram on Monday night, the Warriors said: “Comeback will be greater than the setback.
“In devastating news for our co-captain and all Warriors fans, scans today revealed Mitch suffered a season-ending ACL rupture in his right knee.
“He will meet specialists in the coming days to determine a timeline for surgery.
“Thoughts go out to Barney and his family at this time, but we all know skip will be back soon, and better than ever.”
The loss of their co-captain on Sunday came 22 minutes into a match where the Warriors had been able to field a first-choice lineup for the first time since round 23 of the 2023 season – some 42 matches previously.
Confirmation of the nature of Barnett’s injury will come as a blow not only to the Warriors – who sit third on the NRL ladder after 13 rounds, with a 9-3 record – but to the New South Wales State of Origin team.
Barnett had made his first start for his state in last Wednesday’s series-opening win over Queensland at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
The Warriors are next in action on Saturday night, away to the Cronulla Sharks in round 14.
They have already had to dig deep at prop this season, when their other co-captain, James Fisher-Harris, spent four weeks sidelined with a pectoral injury.
Jackson Ford, Marata Niukore and Bunty Afoa will all be options to step up in the front row.
“Life goes on, but you’d rather have your best players on the field,” coach Andrew Webster said after Sunday’s match.
“We have the belief the next guy will do it, they don’t have to change their game, just do their job.”
“We lost Fish for four weeks,” Webster added. “He’s one of the best front-rowers in the world and we know how to do next man up.”
The Warriors’ team for this weekend’s match will be named at 6pm on Tuesday.
Centre Rocco Berry is in doubt after suffering a hamstring injury against the Rabbitohs, while making his first appearance since recovering from a previous one.