Magic Round 2025: Why Pat Carrigan kicked Herbie Farnworth out of Broncos group chat

The Dolphins have Magic Round bragging rights after the Broncos were “shafted” from prime time, but Pat Carrigan won a personal battle with Herbie Farnworth following a savage group chat eviction.

The Battle of Brisbane has another spicy chapter with the Dolphins dethroning the Broncos as the Friday night specialists for this weekend’s Magic Round feast at Suncorp Stadium.

Herbie Farnworth’s Dolphins will help kick off Magic Round in their 8pm clash against the Roosters, relegating usual Friday night darlings the Broncos to a grand-final replay against Penrith on Sunday.

Star Broncos forward Pat Carrigan has a simple explanation for the Dolphins claiming the prized television timeslot on Fox and Kayo as the River City Rumble intensifies.

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“I hear the Dolphins are now on Friday nights because Herbie tells me is bringing all the viewership,” said Kayo ambassador Carrigan of Farnworth, voted last year as the NRL’s hottest player.

Herbie Farnworth and Pat Carrigan ahead of Magic Round. Picture: Nigel Hallett

“The Broncos have been shafted, Herbie couldn’t wait for his big chance on TV.

“I enjoy the Friday night slots, but I’m excited to play on a Sunday, we have a lot of our younger fans that traditionally don’t get to our Friday night games.

“There’s a huge buzz with Magic Round, all the NRL superstars come to town and it’s great playing in front of a packed Suncorp crowd.”

Farnworth is no stranger to Friday night blockbusters as an ex-Brisbane player, but any ties to his former club are over after the English centre joked he has been booted out of a private Broncos WhatsApp group chat.

“They have kicked me out,” Farnworth said with a laugh ahead of the Dolphins-Roosters clash.

“I was trying to hang in there, but I guess all those years of being a Bronco means nothing now.

Pat Carrigan and Herbie Farnworth were close as Broncos teammates. Picture: Liam Kidston

But it didn’t stop Carrigan culling Farnworth from the group chat. Picture: Liam Kidston

“I think Patty (Carrigan) kicked me out, he’s the admin guy.

“It’s a standard process when you leave clubs, you leave the group, but I’m still good mates with them all.

“I just don’t get any scoops in the group anymore.”

The Dolphins famously upset the Roosters at Suncorp in their first ever game in 2023 and Farnworth is hoping to inspire another Redcliffe boilover.

“The Roosters win (two years ago) was where it all started for the Dolphins, that first game was a special moment in their history and hopefully we can tap into that,” Farnworth said.

“I played a lot of Friday night games as a Bronco, it’s my favourite timeslot.

“There’s always a big crowd at Suncorp on Friday nights and a big TV audience so it’s great to have that slot for Magic Round.”

Originally published as Magic Round 2025: Why Pat Carrigan kicked Herbie Farnworth out of Broncos group chat