Farnworth limps off at training as Dolphins hold breath

Dolphins star Herbie Farnworth has limped out of training with a knee injury and did not return. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS)

Star Dolphins centre Herbie Farnworth has limped off the training field with a knee injury.

The extent of Tuesday's setback is yet to be determined but the England international is not a player they can afford to be without in the wake of losing Queensland forward Tom Gilbert to a season-ending knee injury.

The Dolphins have told AAP that Farnworth sustained "a bump" during training and did not return and do not believe it is a ligament injury at this stage.

Gilbert tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in a non-contact situation during their trial with the Warriors in Auckland on Saturday.

Farnworth's injury was not of the non-contact variety, which are the most concerning.

Harley Smith-Shields and Herbie Farnworth.
Herbie Farnworth tries to beat a Titans defender in a recent trial on the Sunshine Coast.

Dolphins prop Jarrod Wallace said the club had the depth to cover the former Brisbane Broncos gun if he had a stint on the sidelines. The Dolphins play their opening game of the season against North Queensland on March 10 at Suncorp Stadium.

Jake Averillo, Tesi Niu, Valynce Te Whare and Euan Aitken can all play centre.

"I'm sure (Farnworth) will be fine. He is a bit of a princess after being named number one on the NRL" hottest list," Wallace quipped, while admitting he hadn't seen Farnworth limp off.

"He will put some ice on it and be back on Thursday at training.

"We do have almost two weeks before that round one game. We have four or five players who can play in every position which is something we lacked last year."

Wallace said the loss of Gilbert was a huge blow.

"I saw him after the game and he is pretty shattered. He is such a big part of our team and a big voice," Wallace said.

"He is one of the most mentally strong, hard working players I have ever been with and I know that coming back from something like this is going to be soul crushing for a week or so but he will be back and raring to go next year.

"He will still be with the squad, rehabbing and doing all of his training and recovery with all of us. The boys will be keeping him up."

Tom Gilbert.
Tom Gilbert during a 2023 Dolphins training session in Brisbane.

Wallace said it was up to the players filling in for Gilbert to lift.

The Dolphins have Ray Stone, Kenny Bromwich, Thomas Flegler or even Wallace himself who could fill the breach.

"The way we can support Tom is to do well on the field," Wallace said.

"That is what he wants us to do - to get out there and play hard and do everything that he would do if he was out there.

"Whoever does fill that position next week has got to make sure they do the job.

"The depth that we have is crazy. Wayne (Bennett) has got one of the hardest decisions."

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store