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‘I’m hoping we can get something sorted’: Warriors keen to retain Berry
Sport Nation • October 6th, 2026 10:28 am
Rocco Berry | Photo: Joel Carrett/AAP
Warriors chief executive Cam George has confirmed Rocco Berry remains in the mix to stay at the club beyond 2026.
Rumoured to be in negotiations with the Melbourne Storm, Berry's contract expires with the Warriors in 2026, meaning he is set to hit the open market on November 1.
But George said the club is in negotiations to retaining his services at Mt Smart.
“He's off contract next year, but he's certainly in the mix to maybe staying here," George told Sport Nation’s Scotty & Izzy.
A wounded Rocco Berry required assistance from medical staff | Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
"I'm hoping that we can get something sorted there because I feel like if he gets a good run, injury free, he is a day in, day out NRL player and elite. He should be playing with the Kiwis if he's fit. He's that good.
“We're talking to him, we're talking about what next year looks like but nothing's been confirmed.”
The 25-year-old Kiwi has endured a difficult run with injuries, but George believes Berry can establish himself as a regular NRL player if he gets a clear run.
“Rocco's had just an awful run," said George.
“From our perspective, he's an unbelievable person for our footy club. He's so good around the place despite his challenges.”
Rocco Berry proves value to Warriors in injury return | Running It Straight
George said Berry had been rebuilding his body after injury and was hopeful he would enter pre-season without any lingering issues.
“He has sort of rebuilt the body after being injured at the back end of the year and I'm hoping that you know he's heading into this pre-season with no niggle, no injury which will give him a great start for next year.”
Beyond his potential on the field, George said Berry’s influence around the club was another reason the Warriors wanted to keep him.
“I think that as long as they're a great influence around the club and they're a great leader, you can't recruit that overnight.
“There's only (few) players that come through our system and really connect with our culture that can provide that long-term leadership and Rocco does that.”
Rocco Berry has been using the Warriors’ NSW Cup side as a stepping stone in his return from injury | Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
Berry’s response to injury setbacks had made him a positive example for younger players, George added.
“Rocco shows the young guys what adversity looks like and how you push through it and he brings something to the table, other people can't.
“That's going to add value to when other players are getting injured and he's being seen to be pushing through the pain barrier to get back on the field and when things go against him, he keeps his head up. He is a positive influence around the club.
“Those people we want to keep as much as we can along with all of our other great leaders and we celebrate them like they are great people, great leaders, and they'll leave something in the jumper from behind.
“One thing that the game, the club really, really focuses on is celebrating those really good qualities in the person before the footballer.”
Listen to the full interview below:
