Herbie Farnworth: Biography, Earnings, Move to Australia

When a teenager from Burnley, Lancashire, decides to uproot his life and chase a rugby league dream on the other side of the world, the odds are stacked against him. Herbie Farnworth not only beat those odds — he turned himself into one of the NRL’s most feared centres.

Full name: Herbert John Felix Farnworth · Date of birth: 23 December 1999 · Place of birth: Burnley, England · Current team: Dolphins (NRL) · Position: Centre · Height: 185 cm (6 ft 1 in)

How much does Herbie Farnworth earn?

No official salary figures for Herbie Farnworth have been made public by the Dolphins or the NRL. According to the Dolphins NRL official profile, the terms of his 2025 contract extension have not been disclosed. However, given that he was named Dally M Centre of the Year in 2023 — the NRL’s top individual honour for centres — it is reasonable to assume he commands a salary well above the NRL average of around $400,000 per season.

The implication: While the exact dollar figure remains unknown, Farnworth’s performance — 55 tries in 121 NRL appearances (Dolphins NRL) — suggests the Dolphins have locked up a value asset without overpaying relative to the market.

Herbie Farnworth’s current NRL contract value

His existing deal, signed in 2025, is reported by Fox Sports (Australian sports news) as one of the best-paid centre contracts in the league, though no dollar figure was cited. The lack of public disclosure is standard practice for most NRL contracts.

• Contract type: Multi-year extension (exact length unconfirmed)
• Estimated annual value: Reportedly in the $500,000–$700,000 range based on centre market rates

The catch: Without confirmed figures, the estimated range remains speculative — a common limitation in NRL contract reporting.

Estimated salary compared to other centres

Top NRL centres earn between $600,000 and $1 million per season. Farnworth’s 2023 Dally M award puts him in the conversation with the league’s elite at his position. Without confirmed figures, comparison is speculative, but his 2025 extension likely moved him closer to the $800,000 mark.

What is Herbie Farnworth’s background?

Farnworth was born in Burnley, Lancashire, England, and grew up playing both rugby league and football. He represented the Leigh Miners Rangers junior club before being scouted by the Brisbane Broncos. According to Famous Birthdays (online biography database), he also played in Manchester United’s youth academy as a child — a claim that has not been confirmed by official club sources.

Early life in Burnley

• Raised in Burnley, a mill town in Lancashire with a strong rugby league tradition.
• Attended Blessed Trinity Roman Catholic College (TheBench player summary).
• Excelled at multiple sports, choosing rugby league over football when the Broncos offer came.

Youth rugby in England

Farnworth’s junior career began with Leigh Miners Rangers. According to Famous Birthdays, he was scouted while playing for Wigan St. Patricks — a development that led to his move to Australia at age 17. The attraction of the NRL and the Broncos’ legendary academy system proved impossible to resist.

Move to Australia and early NRL career

He signed a development contract with the Brisbane Broncos (NRL club) in 2017 and worked his way through the club’s feeder system. His NRL debut came on 7 July 2019 against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, as recorded by the Dolphins NRL official site.

The pattern: Farnworth’s background typifies the modern English rugby league export — a gifted athlete discovered young, relocated to Australia, and developed into an NRL star through one of the competition’s most respected clubs.

When did Herbie Farnworth move to Australia?

Farnworth moved from England to Australia in 2017 at the age of 17. The relocation was facilitated by the Brisbane Broncos, who signed him on a development contract after monitoring his progress through the English junior system.

Timeline of relocation

Here is the sequence of key events from his move to NRL regular.

The implication: Each year marked a clear step up — from arrival to debut to full-time starter.

According to the NRL World Cup profile, his first appearance for England was in 2022, but his NRL debut had already established him as a top-tier centre.

Transition to NRL system

Adapting to the speed and physicality of the NRL took time. Farnworth played in the Broncos’ feeder team, the Souths Logan Magpies, before breaking into the first grade. His 2020 season featured 15 appearances, and he was named Broncos Rookie of the Year (per Famous Birthdays, a medium-confidence source).

Where did Herbie Farnworth grow up?

Farnworth spent his entire childhood in Burnley, Lancashire, a town perhaps best known for its football club but with a deep rugby league heritage. He grew up in a working-class family and attended Blessed Trinity Roman Catholic College in nearby Burnley.

Childhood in Burnley

• Burnley is home to the famous rugby league amateur club Burnley Warriors.
• Farnworth played multiple sports, including football (Manchester United youth system, per Famous Birthdays) and rugby.
• His family supported his sporting ambitions, though limited public information exists about his parents or siblings.

Family influence

The decision to move to Australia at 17 required strong family backing. Farnworth has said in interviews that his parents encouraged him to take the opportunity. No further details are publicly available from official sources.

Education and early sports

At Blessed Trinity, he was a standout athlete. According to TheBench (player statistics aggregator), his school also produced other professional rugby players, suggesting a strong local pathway.

Herbie Farnworth’s career highlights and statistics

Seven seasons in, Farnworth has already compiled an impressive record. His career timeline shows a steady rise from debut to individual award winner.

NRL debut and rise with Brisbane Broncos

• NRL debut: 7 July 2019, Brisbane Broncos vs. Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (Dolphins NRL)
• Broncos appearances: 80 matches between 2019 and 2023 (estimated from career totals)
• Tries for Broncos: 38

The pattern: Farnworth’s three years at Brisbane produced consistent try-scoring output and a reputation as one of the league’s rising centres.

Move to Dolphins in 2024

Farnworth signed with the Dolphins ahead of the 2024 NRL season. According to the Dolphins official profile, his career totals stand at 121 appearances and 55 tries across both clubs.

England international career

Farnworth made his England debut on 15 October 2022 against Samoa in the Rugby League World Cup. The NRL World Cup profile records 4 appearances and 3 tries for his country.

Individual awards and records

• Dally M Centre of the Year (2023) — the NRL’s official award for the best centre (NRL official awards page)
• Brisbane Broncos Rookie of the Year (2020) per Famous Birthdays

The pattern: Three milestones — an NRL debut, an international cap, and a league-wide individual honour — each within four years.

Here is the complete picture of his physical and career specs.

The implication: These numbers place Farnworth among the most productive English centres in NRL history.

For NRL clubs scouting English talent, Farnworth’s success is a template: find them young, invest in development, and reap the rewards. For the player himself, the next challenge is clear — lead the Dolphins into their first finals campaign and cement his legacy as one of the best English imports to ever play in the NRL. The 2025 contract extension signals that the Dolphins believe Farnworth can do exactly that.