Prising Farnworth from Dolphins no Bears picnic

Herbie Farnworth has been touted as a marquee target for the Perth Bears, but the Dolphins star centre has given his strongest indication yet of where he wants to be in 2027.

"I am very happy at the Dolphins. I am sure we can get a deal done," Farnworth said.

"The Bears ... I am pretty keen to play against them in the upcoming years, and I am sure they will be a great side.

"It is always nice to be wanted from different clubs, especially teams coming in, but we have got some great players here.

"I think I'd be a bit silly to pass up the opportunity to play with the likes of Jack Bostock and Izzy Katoa for the next couple of years and all these great young players coming through ... that will help the team set a high standard in the future. It would be nice to be part of that."

The Perth-based Bears will start training on November 1 of 2026 for a 2027 entry into the NRL, and England international Farnworth is an obvious target, with next season his last at the Dolphins under his current three-year deal.

The 25-year-old strike weapon and Canterbury's Stephen Crichton are the two best centres in the world. Farnworth is a cleanskin off the field, highly marketable and he would be a massive drawcard for expats in Perth on a fan basis, along with being a magnet to attract players from Super League to the new franchise.

Farnworth attracted interest from rugby union and Super League clubs before signing his previous deal, and will again when he becomes a free agent on November 1.

He has several suitors in the NRL keen to find out what his plans are, but staying at the Dolphins is his priority.

The Dolphins are keen to extend Farnworth's contract and will start negotiations when the time is right.

While he envisages himself playing against the Bears, not for them, he is backing the new franchise to succeed.

"I am sure we will see a lot of (Super League) boys coming over from England," Farnworth said.

"I am backing the club and I am keen to see how it all pans out."

Of immediate concern for Farnworth is beating the second-placed Warriors on Saturday afternoon at Suncorp Stadium.

Farnworth starred with a brilliant individual try in the 20-16 win over Parramatta last round.

"It was nice to get a moment like that for the team after we had lost two games on the bounce," he said.

"I think you saw how hard our middles were working, and some of the numbers they turned out on the GPS were pretty crazy. Stoney (Ray Stone) was a madman as usual.

"The aim is to build on what we did on Thursday night and come away with the two points. Warriors at Suncorp is always pretty big as well."