Dolphins land international star as Queensland rival locks in coach on new deal
The Dolphins have finally made a signing splash, while the Cowboys have locked in their coach on a brand new deal.
The Dolphins have landed a major blow on their biggest rival by pinching Broncos centre Herbie Farnworth on a three-year deal from 2024 onwards, while the Cowboys have extended Todd Payten’s tenure for a further three seasons.
The club had tried to lure the Englishman across for its inaugural season but Farnworth knocked back a big offer to sign a one-year extension with Brisbane last May.
Farnworth’s campaign was cut short last year by a serious bicep injury which robbed Broncos fans of watching one of their biggest stars.
The 23-year-old scored 10 tries in 12 matches in 2022 compared to the nine he’d scored in his first three seasons, but he did return in time to help England reach the World Cup final four.
It’s a huge coup for the Dolphins, who have struggled to land a big fish, with a number of high-profile stars, headlined by Cameron Munster, knocking them back.
“There is no doubt that Herbie has been on our radar right from the very moment we started recruiting for this club at the end of 2021,” Dolphins chief executive Terry Reader said.
“We made a big play to get him for 2023 and just missed out, so to now secure him on a long-term deal is a huge win for our club.
“Herbie showed what a great player he can be in the NRL for the Broncos last year before injury hampered him.
“To see him bounce back from that biceps injury at the end of last year and demonstrate what a world-class performer he is was amazing.
“We are so excited about what he will do in Dolphins’ colours.”
Farnworth will see out the year with the Broncos and will link up with his new side in November, and it will be interesting to see if he stays at centre or makes the move to fullback.
The Dolphins play their first-ever NRL competition match against the Roosters next Sunday, with all eyes on a showdown with the Broncos on March 24.
Further north, the Cowboys have re-signed coach Todd Payten for three more years after he took the club to the preliminary final in just his second season in charge.
It was an incredible turnaround for a side which finished 15th in 2021, with Payten’s fingerprints all over their newfound defensive resolve and their willingness to let the ball sing.
“North Queensland is our home,” Payten said.
“The first 12 months were lean in terms of results, but we are starting to see the rewards of some decisions we made during that 2021 season, around blooding young players and coupled with the elite talent we have in our squad, I am confident we are heading into a truly exciting time at this club.
“This club is very well governed and they have given myself, the coaching staff and the playing group every opportunity to improve.
“Our facility is the best in rugby league, we have a great stadium and we have a supporter base who understand football and support us passionately.”
Payten struggled in his first year in charge when he openly challenged club great Jason Taumalolo after a loss to Penrith, but the players have responded to his vision and the club is one of the favourites for the title.
“Todd’s leadership, calmness and ability to relate to his players are the attributes we were searching for in a long-term coach,” Cowboys chief executive Jeff Reibel said.
“His passion for our club and our region is undeniable and is one of the driving forces behind his popularity with our members and fans.”