Webster Tells Warriors Fans to Respect Metcalf
Andrew Webster told Warriors fans to treat metcalf with respect while Luke Metcalf works out his future. The 27-year-old will not play against the Broncos this week, and he will not drop into reserve grade either. Webster said the club will give him time to sort it out without distraction.
Webster backs Luke Metcalf
“Why would you disrespect someone like that?” Webster said before the Warriors departed for Brisbane to face the Broncos at Magic Round. He added: “Luke has done a lot of good things for this club.”
The coach also pointed to the scrutiny around Metcalf away from the field. “They don’t know everything, we don’t know what Luke has gone through when he goes home at night,” Webster said. “Warriors fans are awesome. There’s always going to be, at every club, one or two idiots, maybe some more, who get it wrong.”
He then drew a line under the noise. “But treat him with respect. We still care about him here, we’ve got a lot of time for him.”
Metcalf weighs his future
Metcalf has requested permission to negotiate with other clubs, and Webster said the halfback is trying to work out what comes next. “We’re at a stage where he’s trying to work out his future,” he said. “I’ve got no update on how that’s tracking.”
Webster also said it was disappointing to see the situation in the media before the club had a full handle on it or had discussions about it. He said Metcalf’s main aim is to make sure he can explore his future, while also stressing that he remains grateful for the club and loves it.
The background to the move is clear enough. Reports said Metcalf sees his route to first-grade football blocked by Tanah Boyd, who has seized the No 7 jersey after Metcalf’s early-season absence and is reported to have re-signed through to the end of 2029. Metcalf, who signed a two-year extension at the end of last year and was understood to have become the club’s highest-paid player, came back at five-eighth before a hamstring injury cut that return short.
Boyd’s No 7 hold
Boyd is 25, and his rise has left Metcalf facing a different role than the one he wants. Metcalf wants to play halfback and halfback only, which is why the No 7 picture matters to what comes next for him at the Warriors.
For now, Webster has put the immediate focus on Friday’s trip to Brisbane and on keeping Metcalf out of the spotlight while the future gets sorted. The club’s halfback plan has already shifted once this season, and the next move will decide whether Metcalf stays in the frame or pushes his search elsewhere.
