Source :- THE AGE NEWS
Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf has called on the NRL to protect Herbie Farnworth after a string of hip-drop style tackles on his star centre in recent weeks raised fears it is only a matter of time before he suffers a series injury.
Farnworth has been hit low and from behind on at least five occasions, prompting Woolf to ask referees to monitor the situation as a matter of urgency.
Brisbane’s Kotoni Staggs became the latest player penalised for a hip-drop tackle on Farnworth, in the 47th minute of last Saturday’s 40-32 come-from-behind Dolphins win.
In round 18, Newcastle players collected Farnworth twice within six minutes, with neither tackle sanctioned.
There was a dubious tackle from behind approaching the hour mark in a game against the Wests Tigers in round 16, while Farnworth was convinced Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak had executed a hip-drop tackle during a game in round eight, only for the referee to order him to play the ball.
No player has yet been charged for a hip-drop tackle on Farnworth because the match review committee will only punish a player if the bulk of their bodyweight lands on the attacking player’s legs. But the Englishman has had to receive treatment on more than one occasion.
After this masthead pointed out the string of dangerous tackles on Farnworth from this season alone, Woolf said he was concerned that if officials did not penalise some of the defensive efforts on Farnworth, fans would potentially be robbed of watching a genuine superstar through the finals series.
“Because Herbie is so big and powerful and he can break the line, it often leaves players swinging off the back of him and trying to bring him to ground,” Woolf told this masthead.
“It’s a concern because it’s a dangerous tackle that happens on a regular basis. All the players are aware of the hip-drop tackle. We look for it more, and we talk about them more.
“Herbie is one of the elite players in our competition, and it’s only a matter of time before one of those tackles ends badly and he suffers a serious injury.”
Woolf said Cronulla’s Jesse Ramien was beaten by Farnworth during the Sharks’ 66-0 win after Origin III, but had placed his knee on the ground and tried to drag his opposite centre to the ground with an excellent technique.
The far more common sight, Woolf said, was a player more often than not the third man into the tackle launching himself into Farnworth’s legs.
The 26-year-old Farnworth has enjoyed another brilliant season at Redcliffe, with growing speculation he will head to the open market on November 1 then join the Sydney Roosters for the 2028 season.
Woolf was aware of the external interest in Farnworth but remained optimistic the Dolphins could strike a deal to retain him before the World Cup in October.
“We’re comfortable with the situation, we’re confident that Herbie wants to be at our club, and we want him at the club long-term – it’s a conversation we’ll have as soon as our season is finished,” Woolf said.
The Dolphins have one of the best attacking backlines in the NRL, including Farnworth, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Selwyn Cobbo and Jack Bostock – all current Origin representatives – as well as Jamayne Isaako, Kodi Nikorima and Isaiya Katoa.
The Dolphins will look to keep their top-four hopes alive when they travel to the Northern Beaches to play Manly on Friday evening.
After the Sea Eagles, they play Parramatta, the Roosters and Titans before embarking on the club’s first finals campaign.
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