Herbie was very much an own goal by the Broncos. They released Gamble after his podcast but failed to do the same to Cobbo where his reached a wider audience and was more damaging - showcase of how the Broncos have classic double standards. They reported the Dolphins for trying to sign Mariner. They had their chances to move on Mariner and Cobbo and keep Herbie failed to do so. No other club was really in the game.
Broncos essentially saw Herbie as the most disposable of the four options they had - what a mistake by them.
I always believe the Saifiti trade was between Knights and Dolphins.
Aside from Flegler who the Roosters thought they had and wanted before Leinu the Dolphins are yet to land a true blue chip. It's remarkable that they were a dodgy bunker decision away from the finals last year with their two best forwards injured, their best player missing a key chunk of the season, a coach who was coaching elsewhere, a largely unfit side and having to rely on signing has beens, scraps or kids to get off the ground.