Former Balmain Tigers legend Benny Elias says Wests’ discarding of captain Robbie Farah is baffling and yet another disappointing decision by the NRL club.
Farah, who has been at the Tigers since his 2003 debut, has been informed by coach Jason Taylor he is free to play elsewhere in 2016, despite having two years to run on his current deal.
The 31-year-old has also reportedly been threatened with banishment to the lower tier NSW Cup should he decide to remain at Wests.
Elias, a former Australian captain and NSW Origin representative, said the handling of Farah’s prospective departure is another sign of club dysfunction.
“His history speaks volumes and it’s a sad shock. For the life of me I can’t work it out for the reasons,” he told Fox Sports News.
“I’m a very big man of loyalty and sticking by what you sign on for.
“I’ve always believed that you’ve got to get your act right off the football field before you get it right on the football field, and they want to wonder why we’re coming last in the current competition?”
He said the idea of Farah pulling on the boots for the Wests reserves side is farcical.
“There’s no way in the world that a bloke of his calibre can play reserve grade. He is the incumbent No.9 New South Wales Origin hooker,” he said.
“The bloke hasn’t overnight become a disaster on the football paddock.
“He’s an exceptional player and to play him in reserve grade would be the ultimate humiliation.”
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