NRL signing news: Dolphins sign Herbie Farnworth of the Brisbane Broncos

Wayne Bennett has claimed the Dolphins’ first major cross-rival scalp after landing Herbie Farnworth, but is already closing in on another star Bronco.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 27: Herbie Farnworth of the Broncos (top) appeals for a penalty try after he was intercepted by Kyle Feldt of the Cowboys during the round three NRL match between the Brisbane Broncos and the North Queensland Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium, on March 27, 2022, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Dan Peled/Getty Images)

Wayne Bennett is primed to land a one-two poaching punch on the Broncos as the Dolphins super coach looks to add Tom Flegler to his signing of Brisbane flyer Herbie Farnworth.

The River City Rumble has its first explosive chapter with Bennett nabbing his first major cross-rival scalp after poaching Broncos backline ace Farnworth on a three-year deal.

The Broncos and Dolphins are also waging war over Flegler, although the Sydney Roosters could yet have a say after they earmarked the Brisbane bookend as their long-term replacement for Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.

News Corp understands that the off-contract Flegler will consider his future over the weekend as he weighs up whether to leave the Broncos, the club that game him a shot at the big time.

The Dolphins are believed to have their nose in front, having weighed in with the biggest offer - their rivals suspect the fledgling franchise has offered the Queensland Origin forward in excess of $800,000 a season.

Should the Dolphins add Flegler’s signature to the signing of Farnworth, it would represent the most significant 48 hours in their short history.

British Test star Farnworth will play out the rest of the season at Brisbane before linking with the Dolphins in 2024, finally giving the new expansion club a marquee recruit after missing out on Cameron Munster and Harry Grant last year.

It is the second time in 12 months the Dolphins tried to lure Farnworth from Red Hill to Redcliffe.

The 23-year-old inked a one-year deal with Brisbane last May, but with Reece Walsh and Selwyn Cobbo standing in the way of Farnworth’s desire to play fullback, the strapping utility back sees a greater opportunity at the Dolphins.

The Farnworth contract bombshell comes just a week out from Brisbane’s season opener against Penrith, but the speedster insists it will not derail the Broncos’ campaign as he vowed to exit on a positive note.

Herbie Farnworth will join the Dolphins in 2024. Picture: Dan Peled/Getty Images

“It was a tough decision to make but I’m a Bronco until the end of the season and I will be giving 100 per cent every time I pull on the Broncos jersey,” Farnworth said.

“I’ve played a lot of football with a lot of the guys in this team and owe it to them to make sure that we go as far as we can this season.

“We’ve put in a really strong pre-season and worked incredibly hard so I’m excited to see what we can do together in 2023.”

While speed machine Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is the Dolphins’ first-choice fullback this season, Farnworth will look to cement the No.1 jersey when he arrives at the NRL’s 17th club next season.

The British World Cup flyer has played 53 games for the Broncos since his NRL debut in 2019.

He was outstanding at right centre last season, but with Kotoni Staggs regarded as Brisbane’s No.1 three-quarter on a $700,000 deal, and Walsh winning the No.1 jumper, Farnworth’s hopes of moving to the backfield appeared slim.

Bennett lauded the acquisition of Farnworth, but made it clear he has not guaranteed the fullback spot to the hard-running Englishman.

“He will play where I pick him. There is no condition around any position,” Bennett told News Corp.

“It’s great to have Herbie on board. He is a very talented player and I will find a position for him, no doubt about that. The bottom line is he has signed with us and we will get to see him play for the Dolphins in 12 months time.

“We have been very selective with our recruitment and we are blessed to have him.

“I’m not too worried about what other people have said about our recruitment, but I know Herbie is a very good player.

“We tried to get him last time and we missed him, but he only signed a one-year deal with the Broncos, so that gave us another chance.”

The Dolphins are also closing in on Broncos enforcer Tom Flegler. Picture: NRL Photos.

Bennett’s strike on Red Hill will ignite tensions between the Broncos and Dolphins in the battle for NRL talent in Brisbane.

Farnworth is not the only Bronco on Bennett’s radar, with the Dolphins also eyeing off his potential centre replacement, boom teenager Deine Mariner, who is off-contract next year.

Broncos coach Kevin Walters refused to be critical of Farnworth for his decision to quit Queensland’s flagship club.

“We respect Herbie’s decision on his future and his upfront approach,” Walters said.

“He told us he would let us know before Round 1 and he was true to that.

“That’s all out of the way now and we can move forward without that as a distraction, and we know that Herbie will give everything he’s got for his teammates and for the Broncos jersey over the 2023 season.

“We are fortunate to have some great talent in the centres here at the Broncos, led by Kotoni (Staggs) and Herbie but also with Deine Mariner and Selwyn Cobbo coming through, Jesse Arthars back with us, and Delouise Hoeter providing really good depth in that position.”

Originally published as NRL signing news: Dolphins sign Herbie Farnworth of the Brisbane Broncos