Five landing spots for Herbie Farnworth

Herbie Farnworth is the best centre in the world, and his potential availability has NRL clubs on alert.

The Dolphins star is off contract at the end of the 2027 season, and can speak with rival sides on November 1.

The England international has shelved talks with the Dolphins until after the season ends, with Kristian Woolf’s side hosting the Sydney Roosters in the Preliminary Final on Friday.

With that in mind, we’ve looked at five landing spots where Farnworth could end up for the 2028 season.

Sydney Roosters

The Sydney Roosters are the most obvious starting point. The Roosters have been heavily linked with a move for the 26-year-old throughout 2026.

The Roosters are even reported to be ready to ‘open the chequebook’ for Farnworth.

But one intriguing aspect of the reports is that Farnworth is said to be interested in moving to full-back. The link with the Roosters also revolves around the idea that he may be the successor to James Tedesco from 2028 onward.

South Sydney Rabbitohs

South Sydney Rabbitohs might be a bit of left field, but it has everything to do with Latrell Mitchell.

Mitchell is also off contract at the end of 2027, and on the verge of potentially testing the market.

But the Rabbitohs reportedly have to pay up to keep the barnstorming back, who started at centre this year but has played at full-back in his career.

Mitchell, however, is 29 and has never played more than 17 games in a season for the Bunnies due to injury.

Farnworth is a younger, potentially cheaper option who could be the club’s long-term future at left centre or full-back.

Brisbane Broncos

Farnworth has been linked with a return to the Brisbane Broncos ahead of 2028.

The Broncos will have plenty of money available for 2028, with a couple of big names, Ben Hunt and Dane Gagai, on one-year deals.

Backs such as Deine Mariner and Josiah Karapani are also off contract at the end of 2027.

The Broncos would find it challenging to get Farnworth under the salary cap, though, with Brisbane likely to already have at least three $1m+ players in Reece Walsh, Xavier Willison and Patrick Carrigan by 2028.

European rugby union

Journalist Brent Read said earlier this year that European rugby union might be more of a threat to the Dolphins than the Roosters.

It’s an interesting angle. Farnworth has the skillset to transition across to union, and nobody could offer more than rugby union sides in England and France.

Dolphins

But the most likely scenario is that Farnworth stays put with the Dolphins.

He has truly found his best form with the Dolphins since moving from the Broncos.

The lure of potentially switching to full-back and earning more money is real. Winning might also be a bigger lure.

If the Dolphins can get the contract just about right, slightly lower than what the Roosters offer, then winning and staying with teammate Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow might be the biggest pull.

It’s safe to say the Dolphins’ fate in the rest of the NRL Finals is a big factor in Farnworth’s future. And, of course, the Dolphins face the Roosters in the final four on Friday.