A key player for the Dolphins has confirmed the club’s star forward, Herbie Farnworth, nicknamed “Hammer”, will remain in Queensland after the 2027 season, resolving speculation about his free agency status. Farnworth’s decision comes after a standout season that solidified his reputation as one of the National Rugby League’s most dominant centers.
His teammate Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, also facing free agency in 2027, directly addressed rumors about Farnworth’s potential departure in a recent interview. “He is going to stay,” Tabuai-Fidow stated. Beyond Farnworth’s commitment, the Queensland Maroons player praised his on-field partnership, calling him “one of the best centres in the game, if not the best centre.” Their connection extends beyond matches, Tabuai-Fidow noted, describing their bond as “something cool that we’ve connected on” in both training and competition.
Tabuai-Fidow also highlighted the club’s progress, stating, “What we’re building here is something special.” He expressed a preference to finalize his contract after the season, citing his deep appreciation for the Dolphins’ culture and lifestyle. “I’ve told my manager to just leave it (contract talks) a bit while I can concentrate on these next couple of weeks and hopefully get to a grand final,” he said. “But I’m happy here. I love playing with Herbie and these guys. I don’t want to leave.”
Another key player, Jack Bostock, who will also enter free agency, echoed Tabuai-Fidow’s sentiment. “I do want to stay, that’s the plan, 100 percent,” Bostock confirmed. Like his teammates, he pointed to the strong relationships within the squad as a primary reason to remain. “I’m mates with all of them, so it’s definitely somewhere where I want to play a lot of footy,” he added.
The Dolphins have had a well-earned week-off after defeating the Warriors in the first week of the finals. They will host the Roosters at a sold-out Suncorp Stadium on Friday to book the first spot in the Grand Final.