Mitchell Barnett


Mitchell Barnett is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a and forward for the Newcastle Knights in the NRL.
He previously played for the Canberra Raiders in the National Rugby League.

Background

Barnett was born in Taree, New South Wales, Australia.
He started his junior rugby league career with Wingham Tigers Junior Rugby League in 1999, and remained with Wingham JRL until the end of under-16s in 2011, when he was signed by the Newcastle Knights.

Playing career

Early career

After playing in the lower grades at the Newcastle Knights, Barnett joined the Canberra Raiders. In 2013 and 2014, he played for the Raiders' NYC team.

2015

In 2015, Barnett graduated to the Raiders' New South Wales Cup team, Mount Pritchard Mounties. On 10 April, he re-signed with the Raiders on a two-year contract. On 3 May, he played for the New South Wales Residents against the Queensland Residents. In round 22 of the 2015 NRL season, he made his NRL debut for Canberra against the Wests Tigers. On 27 September, he won the 2015 New South Wales Cup Player of the Year award and was named at second-row in the 2015 New South Wales Cup Team of the Year. In November, after Barnett's management discovered his new Canberra contract for the next two seasons hadn't been lodged with the NRL, he opted to instead attempt to sign a more lucrative deal with the Gold Coast Titans. However, after Canberra threatened legal action, the signed contract was discovered and lodged, Barnett returning to Canberra to honour the deal.

2016

On 8 May, Barnett played for the New South Wales Residents against the Queensland Residents for a second year in a row. On 8 June, he rejoined the Newcastle Knights effective immediately on a contract until the end of 2017, after being released from the final two years of his Canberra Raiders contract. He made his Newcastle debut in round 14 against the New Zealand Warriors. He played nine games for Newcastle in his first season at the club as they finished bottom of the table.

2017

In March, Barnett re-signed with the Newcastle club on a three-year contract until the end of 2020. He made a total of 22 appearances and scored four tries for Newcastle as the club finished last on the table.

2018

Barnett played 23 games for Newcastle in the 2018 NRL season as the club finished 11th on the table.

2019

In round 11 against the Sydney Roosters, Barnett kicked 2 goals, with one from the sideline, after regular kicker Kalyn Ponga went off the field with an injury. In December, Barnett re-signed with the Knights on a three-year contract until the end of 2023.