The Dolphins must add attacking strike to make the NRL top eight this year and new centre Herbie Farnworth says his combination with "freak" winger Jamayne Isaako can provide it.
Farnworth scored a try and linked nicely with Isaako in the 26-14 trial win over Gold Coast.
The 24-year-old Farnworth, an England international, made the Dally M team of the year at centre while playing for Brisbane in 2023.
New Zealand winger Isaako was the Dolphins' player of the 2023 season, the NRL’s leading point and tryscorer and named in the Dally M team of the year alongside Farnworth.
The right-side partnership had nice touches on Sunday and there is surely better to come from two players with attacking verve and instinct to burn.
The Dolphins finished 13th last year, lacking attacking punch against the best sides where it was often left to Isaako to conjure up brilliance.
Farnworth, playing his first game since last season’s grand final loss with the Broncos, said he was relishing working with Isaako.
"Jamayne is a freak. What he did last year speaks for itself," Farnworth said.
"He trains super-hard. I don't think I have ever seen anyone as strong in the gym. He comes in early and always leaves late. I have been very impressed by him and I am keen to keep working with him.
"We got some shapes going and there was some stuff we need to work on, but it was a good starting point for us.
"To just get on the field again after the grand final was good. I had a long, hard pre-season and was a bit battered and bruised from that."
Farnworth unfurled several neat passes to Isaako that almost resulted in tries.
"I am always working on my passing. I want to add another string to my bow. It has been a big focus of mine in the off-season," he said.
Farnworth played left centre for Brisbane last year but has moved across to the right with ease. He also had a 20-minute stint at fullback, a position Queensland star Hamisio Tabuai-Fidow will play for the Dolphins in 2024.
If Tabuai-Fidow is out with State of Origin duty or injury then Farnworth can fill in. He is also versatile enough to play left or right centre.
"(Coach) Wayne Bennett told me I was going to get a run there at fullback so I went in and did my best for 20 minutes," Farnworth said.
"I am probably more of a natural right-sided player with a favourable right-hand carry. I can play both. Wayne asked and I said I wouldn't mind playing right (centre). If he wants me left, I will play left."
The Dolphins flew to New Zealand on Tuesday where they will have a camp in Queenstown before playing the Warriors in Auckland on Saturday.
