Farnworth: ‘It’s definitely a must-win for us’

Published 5:10pm 31 July 2024

With a maiden finals berth in their sights, Dolphins NRL centre Herbie Farnworth says the team knows they have to play well against the Roosters in Perth on Friday night to stay in the hunt.

Farnworth spoke to the media after training this morning and was asked if the team had made a decision about how they wanted the rest of their season to play out.

It followed comments by Head Coach Wayne Bennett after their 21-14 loss to the Titans on Sunday afternoon, conceding the side was at a crossroads.

“We either keep putting the effort in and improve the execution or we forget the effort and the execution, and finish with a pretty miserable end of the season. That’s a choice they’ve got to make,” Bennett said at the post-game press conference.

So, has the team made a decision?

“I think so anyway, so hopefully we turn up on the Friday. We’ve been training very well this week, so keen to get over to Perth and hopefully get those two points,” Farnworth said.

“Obviously, we didn’t get the win over the Titans which is frustrating for us. Some things didn’t quite go our way. We’ll be back on the horse this week.”

The Dolphins are eighth on the NRL ladder but need a win to stay there.

They face a red-hot Roosters (third on the ladder) in Perth on Friday night for round 22 (kick off 8pm).

“It’s definitely a big game. I think we’re sitting in eighth at the moment, so (we) don’t want to be dropping any more points than we have to. It’s definitely a must-win for us,” Farnworth said.

The side, which has experienced second-half fade-outs in the past two rounds – giving away handy leads and losing to their opponents – know they will need to play a full 80 minutes to beat the Roosters.

“Yeah, I’m not too sure what it is but ... in that second half we just couldn’t get the footy against the Titans). We weren’t really completing well like our normal game either,” Farnworth said.

“It’s certainly something for us to work on this week. I’m sure we’ll be better in the second half (on) Friday.

“It’s definitely a trip that all the boys are looking forward to and against a quality side like the Roosters. It should be a very, very good game.”