The Dolphins have made the biggest splash since getting an NRL licence more than a year ago by signing Broncos international Herbie Farnworth for 2024.
Farnworth has signed a three-year deal starting next season, reuniting with coach Wayne Bennett, who was at the Brisbane helm in 2017 when the centre was making his way through the under 20s.
Bennett told AAP he is “delighted” to have Farnworth on board. “We are very pleased to sign Herbie,” Bennett said.
(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
“There are lots of things I like about him. I watched him closely at the World Cup and he is a very talented player who can play fullback, centre or wing.
“I always knew he was always going to be a football player, and a really good one.”
The 23-year-old English international, who was one of the stars of last year’s World Cup in his homeland, has made 53 NRL appearances for the Broncos since his debut four years ago.
“Last year he thought he needed a bit more time to sort himself out about whether he was going to change clubs or stay at the Broncos,” Bennett said. “He’s come back to us twelve months later and I am elated. He knew me and I knew him. I think he felt the Dolphins were a good club to come to.
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“We are only 12 months old but there is a lot of stability at the joint.”
His signing is a major shot in the arm for the Dolphins’ future prospects as they prepare to make their entry in the NRL next Sunday against the Roosters at Suncorp Stadium.
“There is no doubt that Herbie has been on our radar right from the very moment we started recruiting for this club at the end of 2021,” said Dolphins CEO Terry Reader.
“We made a big play to get him for 2023 and just missed out, so to now secure him on a long-term deal is a huge win for our club.
“Herbie showed what a great player he can be in the NRL for the Broncos last year before injury hampered him.
“To see him bounce back from that biceps injury at the end of last year and demonstrate what a world-class performer he is was amazing. We are so excited about what he will do in Dolphins’ colours.”
The Dolphins are favourites to collect the wooden spoon in their foundation year after missing out on several high-profile signings targets over the past 12 months including Cameron Munster, Kalyn Ponga, Ryan Matterson, Dylan Brown, Harry Grant and Brandon Smith.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Ponga should be left at FB. They tried this move a couple of years ago and it didn't work.
chris
Guest
Maybe. Look at the top players the Dogs have been buying. Then how the Roosters have been buying quality first grades players as well as a lot of top quality up & coming players. To add to the already top quality players that they’ve bought over the last few years. Then tell me how each club is spending the same amount of money? Not possible to do , is it!
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Walker has been part of Origin camps already. Murray Taulagi, and Nanai have spent most of their lives in the country of birth, NZ. Surely players born in Australia have better eligibility to play for State, than those who were not - is my point.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
You do realise, all teams are issued the same salary package from the NRL, not paid for by the clubs.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Like the President of Ukraine.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
"your wrong" ? Actually, I think you are wrong. :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Chris
Guest
Not amongst the playing group he’s used to. Any player who can win a GF at SG Ball level. Sit out for a while . Come back & lead the stand in NSW Cup team to a semi final win against the Roosters team. Who he destroyed. Then drop back to Jersey Flegg level & help win them a GF, is a very talented player. That’s why lots of clubs wanted to sign him.
Craig
Guest
Really. Nothing to develop a player between 6 & 19. You’re dreaming. You must have been talking to Phil Gould.
3 R M
Roar Rookie
You can put as many emojis as you want Gb but you are not funny and it would be a rare post when you are on the money. You called him out and your wrong. The high ball is one of his strengths.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
He actually did some good things in the trials. Better than Ponga. I could actually see Hastings at 7 and Clune at 6. I think he does better 2nd pass off the ruck
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Milf looks damaged. He needs to spend a couple of weeks look at his highlights reel and listening to soothing Uncle Bennie 'you're the best' tapes.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Clune started great and he's lightning fast. The fact he didn't kick on is on the coach.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Dragons would love to have Dufty in 2023. Lets start counting the tries we score this year...
chris
Guest
Gold Coast has very wealthy backers now. They should be able to do a Dogs buying spree themselves. They actually have been, but have bought the wrong players .
chris
Guest
I guess you have to turn players over, when the best are bought by other clubs? You can say about a big player turn over now. Yes, as the players gone are bought by other clubs. It’s always happened to them, just in greater numbers now & far more first graders. As well as juniors. Brisbane didn’t mind losing some players years ago . They didn’t lose many top players & didn’t have any Queensland Clubs as competition for players either. I feel sorry for the biggest/ richest club in the competition.
Nat
Roar Guru
Penrith get raided after a couple of good years while Brisbane have been a development club for the last 30years for every one else. It was only 5 years ago the Panthers turned over 30-odd players in 2 yrs.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
"He is very good under the high ball in attack and defence" I'm thinking of Dominic Young, Daniel Tupou, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Joseph Suualii, Campbell Graham, Latrell Mitchell et al jumping over him to catch the ball from attacking kicks. I was considering a height mismatch issue as I said. Not an inability to catch the ball. So, am I a little closer to the mark now? :stoked:
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Like Isaako, Milford just doesn't look interested in playing any more.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
"But I’ll reply to you glory because you were the widest off the mark" Thanks for giving me my first real belly laugh of the morning. :laughing: :thumbup:
varun sharma
Roar Rookie
I think he wants to play FB in long term and may not get that chance at Broncs with Walsh and Cobbo. Good buying for Dolphins. Bit of loss to Broncs but my gut feeling is Cobbo at centre next year.