“Rip in, son”: Voss calls out underperforming Dolphins star ahead of must-win Roosters clash

SEN’s Andrew Voss has called on star Dolphins centre Herbie Farnworth to lift his game ahead of his side’s must-win Friday night clash against the Sydney Roosters.

After a successful 2022 Rugby League World Cup campaign for England and a breakout 2023 season for the Brisbane Broncos, Farnworth arrived at the Dolphins in 2024 with plenty of hype and was primed to stamp his claim as the best centre in the competition.

However, Voss believes the 24-year-old has failed to reach the lofty standards he has set himself in the past few seasons and needs to improve in the final stretch of the home and away season if the Dolphins are to make a maiden finals appearance.

“He was one of the big signings for the Dolphins in the off-season,” Voss said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.

“On Friday night, this bloke came up against Joey Manu back from injury and Joseph Suaalii.

“Herbie Farnworth for the Dolphins is having a good season but he came off a great season with the Broncos.

“I think Wayne Bennett would be looking at the stats. There was barely a game last year where he didn’t run for at least 150 metres.

“Herbie Farnworth was like a machine last year with 115 tackle busts, 32 offloads and this year, he’s only got 64 tackle busts going into Friday night’s game and averaging 12-15 metres less.

“It’s not dramatic but if the Dolphins are to be taken seriously, (Farnworth needs to improve).

“Tonight is a big game because they are still in the eight if they win but if they lose, they might drop out.

“The Dolphins need the stars and star recruits firing. I need a breakout performance from Herbie Farnworth.

“Get in there and rip in, son. Produce those numbers that you did for the Broncos virtually every week last year.”

The Dolphins host the Roosters at HBF Park in Perth on Friday night.