Dolphins star Herbie Farnworth is poised to become the first centre in NRL history to earn over $1 million per season, with the club set to table a record-breaking deal in a bid to lock down the Englishman long-term.
Farnworth will be off-contract at the end of the 2026 season, allowing him to negotiate with rival clubs from November 1 this year. He is expected to be one of the most highly sought-after players on the open market.
Among the potential suitors are the Perth Bears, set to become the NRL’s 18th club in the 2026 season, entering the market with a clean roster and a full salary cap at their disposal.
While the English international has previously shown limited interest in moving to the new club, he hasn’t ruled out testing the waters once he becomes eligible to talk with other clubs.
However, according to News Corp, the Dolphins are preparing to offer Farnworth a long-term extension worth over $1 million per year — a landmark deal that, if signed, would make him the first centre in the game to reach the million-dollar milestone.
Despite recently adding Queensland Origin star Selwyn Cobbo to their backline from 2026, the Dolphins see Farnworth as the cornerstone of their future squad.
Head coach Kristian Woolf confirmed that retaining Farnworth is a top priority for the Dolphins.
“We certainly can (keep him), it’s a priority of ours,” Woolf said to News Corp.
“I like what Herbie brings. I love his personality and presence around the group, and him as a player.
“He’s a guy we want to be a Dolphin going forward and build the team around.”