In 2018, he joined AFL Media as their chief correspondent being involved in programs on the digital service, including Access All Areas and some of their podcasts.
[4][3] Barrett was involved in a physical altercation with North Melbourne coach Brad Scott in 2016, that occurred when Barrett was questioning Scott about the Kangaroos performance in the 2016 AFL season.
[9] Barrett has stated that he feels journalists should be held less responsible for stories that turn out to be false.
[10] During August 2020, Barrett became involved in the Mitch Cleary controversy when he voiced his opinion that the AFL made the right move by standing down fellow journalist Mitch Cleary, at odds with the majority opinion of the AFL community.
[11] This opinion was criticized by former AFL player Tim Watson, and Barrett responded by questioning Watson's understanding of journalism, and bringing up the Essendon Football Club supplements saga.