Could the Sydney Roosters be preparing to prise the world’s best centre away from the Dolphins? Speculation linking Herbie Farnworth with a move to Bondi in 2028 continues to grow, with leading rugby league journalist Brent Read declaring the Dolphins could lose their superstar if he reaches the open market.
However, no agreement or formal negotiations between Farnworth and the Roosters have been confirmed. The England international has also publicly stated that the Dolphins will receive the first opportunity to retain him.
Roosters Considered Farnworth Frontrunners
Farnworth is contracted with the Dolphins until the end of the 2027 NRL season after agreeing to a one-year extension in October 2025.
That deal means he cannot join the Roosters next season. However, he will be permitted to formally negotiate with rival clubs from November 1, 2026, over a contract beginning in 2028.
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CODE Sports journalist Brent Read believes the Roosters will become extremely difficult to beat if the Dolphins allow Farnworth to reach that date without signing another extension.
“The Herbie rumours won’t go away,” Read said on Triple M’s The Journos.
“He’s the interesting one because the whispers won’t go away between him and the Roosters.”
Read then delivered a blunt warning to the Dolphins.
“I’m sure they are trying to extend Herbie, but if he gets to November 1, forget about it. He’s gone.”
That is Read’s assessment of the situation rather than confirmation that Farnworth has decided to leave. Neither the Roosters nor Farnworth’s management has publicly confirmed that a deal has been discussed.
Farnworth Previously Denied Roosters Talks
Farnworth directly addressed the speculation in June, insisting he had not spoken with the Roosters and remained focused on winning a premiership with the Dolphins.
“I am just focused on winning a competition here,” Farnworth said.
“I have not had any thoughts on leaving. I’m happy.”
He dismissed the Roosters speculation as “just media talk”, adding that neither he nor his management had held discussions with the Bondi club.
“We haven’t spoken to anyone and I certainly haven’t heard anything,” he said.
Farnworth also made it clear that the Dolphins would be his first point of contact when negotiations began.
“I’m sure when contract talks do roll around, I will be speaking to the Dolphins first.”
Those comments remain the clearest public indication of Farnworth’s intentions. While the Roosters are reportedly interested, there is currently no verified evidence that the centre has agreed to join them.
Dolphins Face A Major Salary-Cap Decision
The Dolphins will need to make Farnworth one of the highest-paid outside backs in the NRL to prevent him from testing his value.
His current salary has been reported as close to $1 million per season, although the financial terms of his Dolphins extension were never officially disclosed.
Former Broncos captain Corey Parker believes Farnworth is worth a seven-figure annual salary.
“He is a $1 million player for sure,” Parker said.
The Dolphins must also balance the retention of Farnworth with several other important backline contracts. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Selwyn Cobbo and Jack Bostock are also currently signed only until the end of 2027.
Keeping all four would require careful salary-cap management, particularly if rival clubs offer Farnworth a long-term contract worth approximately $1 million per season.
Why The Roosters Want Farnworth
Farnworth would give the Roosters one of the most damaging ball-running centres in the competition.
The 26-year-old combines size, speed and power with an ability to generate metres after contact and break tackles without needing significant space. He is also capable of carrying the ball out of defensive territory, making him valuable at both ends of the field.
Farnworth joined the Dolphins from Brisbane ahead of the 2024 season after making 79 appearances for the Broncos. He has since developed into the centrepiece of the Dolphins’ backline and won the club’s Arthur Beetson Medal following an outstanding 2025 campaign in which he scored 12 tries across 19 appearances.
The Roosters reportedly view him as a potential marquee addition for 2028 as they continue planning the next phase of their roster.
November 1 Shapes As The Key Date
The Dolphins still control the immediate situation because Farnworth remains contracted for another season.
Their priority will be convincing him to sign an extension before November 1 and preventing the Roosters—and potentially other clubs—from making formal offers.
Farnworth’s previous comments suggest he is genuinely open to remaining with the Dolphins. The continued reports surrounding the Roosters indicate that staying may become more difficult once his market value is tested.
For now, the Roosters remain reported frontrunners rather than a confirmed destination. Whether that changes will depend on what the Dolphins can offer before one of the NRL’s most valuable players becomes available to the entire competition.
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