Eels interested in Barnett

Replies

- - - - LB > Eels95 February 25, 2026 at 11:52am
        
        Also, look at the depth we have for middles in 2027. Paulo (more likely stays), Hopgood, Moretti, Tuivaiti, Talagi, Doorey, Koina and perhaps Guymer if he stays. That is a fair bit. No need for de Belin. We have leadership in the club.
        
        If de Belin is happy to just play reggies then all power to him and proves me wrong.
fake midget pseudoachondroplasia February 25, 2026 at 12:47am

He was granted a release for his child illness so Newcastle would be favourites as that is where his family is closest. But they spent all their cap on Dylan Brown and Ponga.. Not sure the issue with Barnetts child but one would think Westmead hospital is the best hospital for a child but why woutd he wait a year then have to change hospitals and specialists. Only guessing but his child may have Autism or development disorder which needs more family support than medical support so it would come down to who offers best support which may include support for the family in some way or modified training schedule similar to what we offered Beau Scott to support his child when treated at Westmead Hospital.
Jack February 25, 2026 at 1:24am

Pass
Tin Tim February 25, 2026 at 5:34am

He an asset, our young forwards are playing out of their skin because of De-Bellin & Paulo they are teaching them the way. It needs to continue with an experienced prop that will teach them how to be professional & mentally strong. No better than the NSW prop Barnett.
Coryn Hughes February 25, 2026 at 8:03am

Like the player don't like the age of the player though imo this is Custers last stand.We've got enough experience in our pack id just extend Jnr and call it a day.What I wouldn't do is put a road back ahead of Tuivaiti Moretti Brown Talagi and co unless they don't believe these guys are ready.I'm expecting a lot from this young group of middles coming through that's our foundations.

If you'd have told me Barnett was available 2-3 years ago I'd be all over it but I'm cautious now and coming back after an acl I don't think I'd do it.But I guess others are involved in this chase so it decreases the chances of this actually happening.
- LB > Coryn Hughes February 25, 2026 at 10:24am
  
  Yeah he will go to Brisbane to try win a comp. Madge named him for Origin debut so connection there.
Nightmare Off-Season February 25, 2026 at 10:34am

Would love to see Barnett at the Eels.

He's the closest player defensively to Beau Scott in the current game (imo), and those players are so few are far between.

They are so valuable to the defensive line & structure.

Obviously would be preferable for this season - a player swap, or if NZ drop out of the finals race early & grant him a release.

Barnett's age isn't ideal, but, he did play a lot of his career on an edge, so he may not be as burned out physically as others his age who have been career middles.

We do seem to have a lot of genuine potential coming through in the forwards, so not sure having the older heads is as big of a concern as previous years.

The balance between youth & experience looks far better in 2026 than 2024, imo.

Plus that Barnett level experience, especially rep experience, is as valuable to a team off the field as on it.

Just opinion.
- macybrown > Nightmare Off-Season February 25, 2026 at 11:07am
  
  Omg NOS just read your beau Scott comment after I posted below. Great minds hey ;)
  - Nightmare Off-Season > macybrown February 25, 2026 at 11:35am
    
    Haha... You know it, Mace.
- LB > Nightmare Off-Season February 25, 2026 at 11:53am
  
  Does his recent ACL injury concern you at all NOS?
  
  You say having older heads is a big concern, too many can be. We have Paulo and de Belin already. If we already know de Belin is not here in 2027 then yeah Barnett would fit in nicely.

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"If there is any indication of a biased approach from the NRL, then Vlandys and Abdo need to resign with immediate effect. You just have to admire and respect the methodology of the SC, Arthur Moses. He doesn't fire his bullets all at once, picks…"

"Does his recent ACL injury concern you at all NOS?
You say having older heads is a big concern, too many can be. We have Paulo and de Belin already. If we already know de Belin is not here in 2027 then yeah Barnett would fit in nicely."

"Also, look at the depth we have for middles in 2027. Paulo (more likely stays), Hopgood, Moretti, Tuivaiti, Talagi, Doorey, Koina and perhaps Guymer if he stays. That is a fair bit. No need for de Belin. We have leadership in the club.
If de Belin…"

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