NRL 2023: Broncos star Herbie Farnworth reveals underwhelming contract offer behind Dolphins move

Dolphins defector Herbie Farnworth has opened up about his reasons for quitting the Broncos - the club he joined as a 14-year-old from England.

Herbie Farnworth at Broncos training. Picture: Adam Head

Herbie Farnworth has declared he won’t renege on Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins even if the England Test star helps the Broncos smash their 17-year premiership drought this season.

Dolphins defector Farnworth opened up about his reasons for quitting Brisbane as he prepares for what he hopes is his penultimate Broncos game in Saturday night’s preliminary final against the Warriors at Suncorp Stadium.

Farnworth shocked the Broncos when he inked a three-year deal with the Dolphins for 2024 in February, well before Brisbane embarked on the stunning form surge that has them one win from this year’s NRL grand final.

The 23-year-old has been largely tight-lipped about his impending Dolphins move, but on the eve of the Broncos-Warriors blockbuster, Farnworth admits he was underwhelmed by Brisbane’s contract offer.

With the Broncos facing a salary-cap squeeze in their fight to retain the likes of Payne Haas, Pat Carrigan, Reece Walsh, Ezra Mam and skipper Adam Reynolds, a candid Farnworth says he was an unfortunate casualty.

Herbie Farnworth at Broncos training ahead of the preliminary final. Picture: Adam Head

“It’s a tough question,” Farnworth said when asked why he is walking away from a Brisbane club on the verge of a title.

“Probably the contract (from the Broncos) wasn’t where I wanted it to be.

“And there were a few things that probably didn’t really favour me going forward and trying to push myself more and more (at the Broncos).

“I obviously love the club.

“I’ve been here since I was 14 or 15, so it will be weird going somewhere else, but it will also be good to move to the Dolphins.”

Premiership success has previously convinced a Broncos star to have a change of heart on switching clubs.

Twenty-five years ago, former Broncos centre Darren Smith considered reneging on his Bulldogs contract after playing a key role in Brisbane’s 38-12 thumping of Canterbury in the 1998 grand final.

Coincidentally, Smith wore the very Broncos No.4 jumper that Farnworth will don in Saturday night’s sudden-death showdown with the Warriors.

Smith ultimately honoured his Bulldogs deal and Farnworth is adamant he won’t be backflipping on the Dolphins, outlining his desire to build a title dynasty at Redcliffe after helping Brisbane climb out of wooden-spoon mediocrity.

“The Dolphins was the best fit for me,” he said.

“I am pretty keen to join them next year and work under Wayne (Bennett, Dolphins coach).

“They have a really good side there as well.

“It will be pretty cool to be part of the Dolphins’ second season and build a platform for other players to come through.

“That was a big pull towards going to the Dolphins.”

For now, Farnworth is fully focused on Brisbane’s quest for a first title since 2006 and the rangy 103kg centre is desperate to depart Red Hill with a maiden premiership ring.

“It would be massive to break the drought,” he said.

“I am super keen. It could be my last game for the Broncos (against the Warriors), but hopefully not. All the boys are really keen to get this win and move onto the grand final.

“I really want to do something special in my last year here.

“It would be unbelievable to leave with a premiership.

“It’s been a dream of mine and every player here, to win a grand final at the Broncos.

“It’s been a long time, so hopefully we can bring (a premiership) to the city of Brisbane.”