FULLY LOADED TO LURE HERBIE
HERBIE Farnworth has broken his silence on his Broncos future, with the off-contract centre declaring he will do “the best thing for myself” as he prepares for talks with Dolphins master coach Wayne Bennett.
The in-form Farnworth has interest from five NRL clubs and is reaching the business end, with his agent to start negotiations with Bennett this week in a move that will have alarm bells ringing at Red Hill.
While Farnworth’s preference is to stay at the Broncos, the 22-year-old has become one of the most sought-after outside backs on the open market after an outstanding start to the season. Farnworth has been Brisbane’s most consistent player in the opening eight rounds and continued his fine form with a try, 146m, three tackle busts and two line-breaks to inspire Brisbane’s 16-7 defeat of the Sharks on Thursday night.
The Broncos have tabled an offer to keep Farnworth, but are in danger of losing a bidding war to a Dolphins franchise desperate to secure some quality backline talent.
The England World Cup hopeful is expected to make a call in the next fortnight and says he is exploring rival bids as he mulls over the most important contract of his career.
“I am happy with the Broncos and I love everyone here, but I have to weigh up my options,” said Farnworth, speaking for the first time about his future. “Obviously I love the Broncos, I have been here since I was 15 years old, but I have to do the best thing for myself.
“It’s nice to know for sure that clubs are interested. I’ve only heard it through the media that clubs are chasing me, but I’ll be sitting down with my management team and my uncle Brian (Foley, legendary Wigan scout) and come up with the best option.
“I haven’t been talking to any clubs myself. I have been letting my agents talk to the clubs and then I will meet with them in the next couple of weeks and sit down and go through all the options.
“We haven’t put a deadline on things, but in the next few weeks we will talk to all the clubs and then come up with a plan of attack.”
Farnworth has interest from at least two Sydney clubs, with Parramatta having been linked to the hard-running 103kg utility back.
But the Dolphins shape as the biggest threat to the Broncos in the battle for Farnworth’s signature.
It is understood the Dolphins have offered the additional carrot of the rightcentre position, said to be Farnworth’s preferred spot. The British flyer plays on the left side, with Brisbane’s No.1 strike weapon Kotoni Staggs in the right-centre slot.
Bennett confirmed he was gunning for Farnworth.
“We’re certainly interested in Herbie,” Bennett said. “We haven’t spoken to him at this stage. We are waiting in the queue because I think he is out there talking to a few clubs. But I like what he brings and we will wait for the heads-up from their management to talk to him.”
One dilemma for the Broncos is their centre succession planning. Brisbane have massive wraps on 18year-old Deine Mariner, and retaining Farnworth could block his path to playing centre in the NRL.
Brisbane coach Kevin Walters remains confident the Broncos will stave off a Dolphins poaching bid for Farnworth.
“Herbie has been great for us,” Walters said.
“He looks good in Broncos colours and we intend to keep him in those colours.”