NRL market watch: Dolphins prepare second attempt to snare Herbie Farnworth from Brisbane Broncos

The Broncos’ rivals are lining up a poaching raid on some of their biggest stars as Reece Walsh’s return to Brisbane pushes others down the pecking order for Kevin Walters.

Phil Gould and Herbie Farnworth.

Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett will launch a second consecutive poaching raid on Herbie Farnworth as the Broncos concede they face a salary-cap battle to retain the English Test star.

But Brisbane’s hopes of keeping Farnworth have received a boost with Sydney rivals the Roosters ruling out making a big-money bid for the classy Broncos utility back.

Bennett will make a fresh attempt to lure Farnworth to the Dolphins in the wake of a fine World Cup campaign that rubber-stamped the 22-year-old as one of the code’s most promising outside backs.

Farnworth rejected initial overtures from the Dolphins in May when he signed a one-year deal with the Broncos, but the 12-month extension has put the British flyer back on the open market this summer.

With no guarantees Farnworth will unseat Reece Walsh for his preferred fullback spot next season at the Broncos, Bennett is ready to strike again in the battle for the Brisbane centre.

The Dolphins are set to enter the race for Herbie Farnworth … again. Picture: Getty Images.

“Herbie only signed for one year, so we’re definitely interested,” Bennett said.

“I was interested in him last year and our interest is still there.

“I’m not going to talk about positions with Herbie, but the bottom line is he is back on the market and we’re still very keen on him.

“We had a talk to him last year and he wanted to stay at the Broncos, which he did, that’s fine, but he is a free agent again.

“I’m still interested in signing Herbie, so we’d like to have a chat again.”

Farnworth has been strongly linked with the Roosters.

Roosters chairman Nick Politis declined to comment, but confirmed the Bondi glamour club has no plans to make a formal offer for the Broncos ace.

The Roosters have several fullback options at their disposal, headlined by James Tedesco, Joseph Manu and Joseph Suaalii, and cannot accommodate Farnworth in the No. 1 jumper.

While Farnworth is happy at the Broncos, the Dolphins are an ever-increasing threat _ especially if the newly-minted Test representative fails to win the Brisbane fullback spot.

Wayne Bennett missed out on Farnworth for the Dolphins’ inaugural side, but has confirmed he remains interested in the Broncos’ star.

The Broncos have groomed Farnworth since the age of 15 and will do everything possible to secure him to an extended deal, but the signing of marquee custodian Reece Walsh has put further pressure on their salary cap.

“I don’t know if we can keep Herbie,” said Broncos recruitment boss Simon Scanlan.

“We’d love to keep him but what other clubs are prepared to pay him, I can’t answer that.

“It will come down to how much salary-cap space other clubs have and we have and whether we can retain our players.

“Herbie would be attractive for a lot of clubs. We want him to stay here, but ultimately you don’t know what other clubs are prepared to spend and what motivates individual players.”

Farnworth was among Brisbane’s best players this year, scoring 10 tries from 12 games before a ruptured bicep prematurely ended his season.

The well-built 104kg outside back has played 53 games since his NRL debut in 2019 and coach Kevin Walters vowed to stave off Bennett for Farnworth’s signature.

“Herbie is coming into his best footy,” Walters said.

“Herbie has been here a long time. He has been here since he was 15 and his best football is in front of him, whether it’s at centre or fullback.

“I’m not sure if he thinks he is a long term fullback but he wants to see if he can handle the position and I am happy to accommodate that.

“He has a huge future at the Broncos.”

EXCLUSIVE - BRITISH BULLDOG: PLAYER PUSH TO SIGN BRONCOS STAR

—Dean Ritchie

Canterbury Bulldogs general manager of football, Phil Gould, has revealed an internal player-led push for his club to sign Brisbane’s English star, Herbie Farnworth.

And in another surprise revelation, Gould conceded an interest in several other English players.

After Farnworth’s brilliant World Cup, Bulldogs enforcer and English teammate Luke Thompson spoke to Gould about pursuing the Broncos centre, who, like almost 200 other players, comes off contract after next season.

Brisbane’s England international Herbie Farnworth is in demand. Picture: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

Farnworth, 23, has also attracted interest from Sydney Roosters and the Dolphins.

In a text exchange with News Corp, Gould also spoke of further exploring the English player market.

And Gould has been buoyed by Thompson’s claims that several British stars had expressed a keen interest in joining the NRL.

Farnworth wants to play fullback – a position he could fill at Belmore from 2024.

The Bulldogs have been strongly linked to Samoan and Panthers champion, Stephen Crichton, also off contract after next season.

Canterbury would need to determine whether they opt to chase Farnworth or Crichton, who can play centre and fullback.

Asked about Farnworth, Gould admitted: “Never spoken to him (but) Luke Thompson said he was very impressed with him from the RLWC. That’s all I know.

“Luke was particularly keen on Herbie.

“I think he manages himself and I’m told he’s sorted elsewhere. I haven’t delved into it and haven’t spoken to Luke since England lost last week.

“But yes, Luke was very impressed with several of the UK squad, including Herbie.

“Several have indicated they’d like to play in the NRL. There’s plenty of talent there.”

Canterbury Bulldogs general manager of football, Phil Gould, has been restructuring the club’s roster. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Pressed on whether he would monitor Farnworth’s progress, Gould said: “I watch every player.”

And when asked whether he had a ‘soft spot’ for English players, Gould said: “Always.”

The Bulldogs are attempting to tidy up their salary cap for a significant crack at Farnworth or Crichton.

Gould is acutely aware he requires a fullback to help build his club’s spine around five-eighth Matt Burton and hooker Reed Mahoney.

Farnworth has become one of the hottest young players in rugby league. He has a desire to remain at Brisbane but wants to shift back to fullback.

The Bulldogs have several highly promising centres coming through their junior system meaning there would be a spot available at fullback for either Farnworth or Crichton.

Canterbury has also signed highly-regarded former North Sydney and Sydney Roosters youngster Jacob Preston, who can play back row or centre.