Herbie set to stay loyal
WAYNE Bennett’s Dolphins are resigned to losing the battle for Herbie Farnworth, with Brisbane’s rampant five-match winning streak set to keep the British ace at Red Hill in a huge coup for the Broncos.
D-Day has arrived for Farnworth, with the off-contract centre tipped to make a final call on his future this week in the lead-up to Brisbane’s derby clash against the Titans at Suncorp Stadium.
Farnworth has been seriously exploring his options, having met with Dolphins coach Bennett, while his management has approached NRL big guns Sydney Roosters.
The Roosters rate the 22year-old and have links to him via former Easts and England lock Phil Clarke, who is family friends with the Farnworths, but the Bondi powerhouse is out of the race due to salarycap constraints.
While Canberra were also keen on Farnworth, the Dolphins were considered the primary threat because of their proximity to the Broncos and the England World Cup hopeful’s preference to stay in Queensland.
But Dolphins hierarchy are bracing for Farnworth to stay loyal to the Broncos.
Broncos bosses have yet to receive word from Farnworth but are confident they will win the bidding war on the back of Brisbane’s stunning form burst, which has sent team morale soaring.
The Dolphins agree and are making other plans for the composition of their backline, believing Farnworth will not walk out on a Broncos club that is thriving under coach Kevin Walters and charging ominously towards the finals.
Farnworth is tipped to sign a multi-year deal to remain at the Broncos until the end of 2024 or 2025.
The retention of Farnworth, who has built a lethal centre strikeforce with Kotoni Staggs, would be a major fillip for the Broncos.
When the Dolphins won the NRL’s 17th licence last year, there was a fear they would decimate Brisbane, but so far they have successfully poached just one Bronco in Jamayne Isaako, who was last month released to the Titans for a six-month cameo.
Farnworth celebrated his 50th NRL game against Manly in Magic Round and the 103kg goalkicking centre has been one of Brisbane’s best players this season.
Walters believes the Broncos will stave off Bennett’s Dolphins in the battle for Farnworth’s signature.
“The Broncos are going hard for Herbie, too,” Walters said. “These big decisions take time. Herbie is popular with a number of clubs but he is no more popular there than what he is here and I feel he belongs here.
“He cut his teeth here and we want him here for many years. We see him as a longterm player.”