NRL 2023: Brisbane Broncos to lock up Herbie Farnworth on big new deal
Brisbane is set to retain one of the game’s most in-demand backs, with the international ace to sacrifice thousands to remain at Red Hill.
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Herbie Farnworth is set to reject massive offers from NRL rivals and ink a multimillion-dollar extension at Brisbane in another retention coup for the Broncos.
News Corp can reveal Farnworth and his management held a secret meeting with Broncos bosses at a Brisbane restaurant on Tuesday night, with the British Test ace verbally indicating his plan to sacrifice thousands to remain at Red Hill beyond this season.
Brisbane hierarchy have upped the ante in contract talks in the face of a potential poaching threat and are closing in on a lucrative extension that will see Farnworth remain in Broncos colours until at least the end of 2025.
Off-contract at season’s end, Farnworth is one of the most promising outside backs on the open market and has been linked with a number of NRL suitors, including the Roosters, Canberra, Newcastle and expansion rivals the Dolphins, who failed to secure him for their NRL launch this year.
But the Broncos are confident they have got their man.
Farnworth has not formally inked a new deal at this stage, but Brisbane are in the advanced stages of discussions and are confident of formalising an upgrade – possibly before their premiership opener against the Panthers on March 3.
Broncos boss Dave Donaghy said Brisbane had no plans to lose Farnworth, who is keen to play fullback and has been linked with a fresh move to the Dolphins following Brisbane’s purchase of whiz-kid Reece Walsh.
“Ever since I have come to the club and met Herbie, he is an incredibly impressive young man,” Donaghy said.
“He is everything you want to see in a Broncos player on and off the field and he has earnt the right to be here, he has worked really hard.
“I don’t know too many 15-year-olds from England who would relocate to Australia to chase their dreams. Herbie is living his dream every day at the Broncos and we’re really proud to have him here.
“He is highly regarded here as a person and player and we’re looking forward to getting him back on the field this year after an injury interrupted 2022.”
Farnworth, 23, produced the best form of his career last year, scoring 10 tries in 12 games before a serious biceps injury ended his season after 14 rounds.
He returned to the field in the World Cup, starring for England with a double in the host nation’s semi-final loss to Samoa.
Farnworth’s retention would be another boost for the Broncos, who are assembling a quality squad with the likes of Payne Haas, Pat Carrigan, Ezra Mam, Kotoni Staggs, Selwyn Cobbo and Walsh showing faith in the club’s vision under coach Kevin Walters.
Donaghy said the Broncos were committed to retaining the bulk of their squad on the back of last year’s ninth-placed finish.
“There is a really good feeling around the group, the guys are really well connected and are a happy group,” he said.
“They are training really hard and they are committed to wanting to play for each other this season.
“From a club point of view, we want to keep our core group together and see how far they can go.
“There is a lot of talent there, including Herbie, he is one of several guys who have come through our system and that’s going to be our goal – to keep them all together in the pursuit of success.”
Winger Corey Oates said his partner on Brisbane’s left edge had returned from the World Cup with invaluable experience and was primed for a big 2023.
“He is going to be a massive talent if he keeps his head on,” Oates said of Farnworth.
“He’s done that well in the last 18 months with what’s gone on at the club and how the performances have been.
“He’s been a really big improver for us. He’s got a lot more to offer and he knows that. He’s working hard.
“(The World Cup) would have been a great experience for him. I’m really happy for him and how he went as an individual.
“He’s come back really confident and is talking more in the group huddles.”
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