Dolphins star Herbie Farnworth has all but ruled out a move to the NRL’s newest club at the end of his 2026 contract, pledging his allegiance to the Redcliffe-based outfit for the long haul.
The unveiling of the Perth Bears as the competition’s 18th side from the 2027 season has opened the floodgates for poaching raids across Australia, with Farnworth – one of the most high-profile targets – to hit the open market from November 1.
Payne Haas, David Fifita, Jahrome Hughes and Angus Crichton are among the top names off contract at the end of 2026.
Herbie Farnworth is determined to remain a Dolphin for the long haul.Credit: Getty Images
A proud Englishman, Farnworth loomed as a tempting target for the Bears – the 2021 census indicating more than a third of Perth’s population had English ancestry, with almost 170,000 residents born in England.
However, the two-time Dally M centre of the year declared he had no desire to leave the Dolphins, and was intent on securing his future under coach Kristian Woolf.
“It’s always nice to be wanted from different clubs, especially teams coming in, but I’m very happy at the Dolphins,” Farnworth said.
“I’d be a bit silly to pass up on the opportunity to play with the likes of Jack Bostock in the next couple of years and Issy Katoa … we’ve got some great players and some really good young players who are going to kick us on in the future, so I’d love to play with them for the next couple of years.
“I’m just focusing on my footy, that’s the main thing – if you keep playing good footy, that [my future] takes care of all that sort of stuff. I’m sure we can get a deal done here.
“I’m sure we’ll see a lot of boys coming over from England [to join the NRL’s expansion] … but I’m pretty keen to play against them [the Bears] in the coming years.”
Farnworth’s revelation could come as a bitter blow to the Bears, who are keen to capture the AFL-dominated market and are reportedly exploring recruitment moves in South African rugby.
Former Western Reds and Melbourne Storm great Matt Geyer told this masthead the team would need “someone the locals can fall in love with” to hit the ground running, a criterion Farnworth would appear to fit.
The 25-year-old has become one of the game’s most electrifying centres – his individual try in the Dolphins’ 20-16 triumph of the Eels just the latest example of what be brings to the field.
One temptation could be a positional shift, with Farnworth previously indicating his desire to play fullback while he was with the Brisbane Broncos.
That is a role occupied by Maroons centre Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, who is signed at the Dolphins until the end of 2027 and is a major contender, with Kalyn Ponga, for the State of Origin job.
“Everyone knows what he can do at No.1. I know if he got picked at No.1, he would do a great job.”
Herbie Farnworth on Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow for the Maroons’ fullback role
As Trai Fuller continues his rehabilitation from a ruptured ACL suffered last year, Farnworth could earn the chance to don the No.1 jumper when “The Hammer” joins the Maroons’ camp.
However, he admitted he had not given the move any thought.
“Maybe [at some point in my career], but at the moment, I am pretty happy here at centre,” Farnworth said.
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