Wests Tigers skipper Robbie Farah has revealed he reminded Canberra’s Jarrod Croker of his missed penalty in the 2010 NRL finals clash just before the centre spurned the opportunity to win the game for his team at Campbelltown on Saturday.
The Raiders were awarded a penalty with three minutes left in the game, but Croker sprayed his 35-metre effort to the right to hand the injury-hit Tigers a gutsy 19-18 win.
It was almost a carbon-copy of Croker’s bungled attempt to seal victory at Canberra Stadium against the Tigers four years ago and Farah revealed he made sure he had that moment in his mind when he stepped up to kick the ball.
“I sure did,” Farah said.
“It was a match-winning kick … he just smiled and nodded I just wanted to get in his ear.
“I thought it was a harsh penalty to begin with and I just walked up to him and reminded him of that finals game.”
In addition to dealing with Farah’s comments, Croker, who left the field in tears, then had to re-set his concentration after referee Matt Ceccin ran in front of him as he was running towards the ball to push back Tigers players, who weren’t back 10 metres.
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart was furious at the incident and said the actions of Ceccin were something he’d never seen before in his long career.
“It was wrong, the bloke taking a kick at goal to win the match and he jumps in as he’s about to take his first step,” Stuart said.
The former NSW coach also accused on-field referee Ceccin and his assistant Gavin Reynolds of being too reliant on the video referees.
“The game was refereed by the video refs tonight because the refs out there are too scared to make a decision,” Stuart said.
“It’s not the refs’ fault, it’s where the game has got to.
“It’s not a bitch about the loss. Milford got hit in the head at the kick-off and they get the penalty.”
Darren Wyer
Guest
Can smith is the biggest grub around what about his atrocious behavior when McKinnon broke his neck what a gentleman
xavialonso
Guest
Farah is a dog of a human being. Shameful conduct. Cam Smith is 1000 times the gentleman Farah will never be.
George
Guest
If the normal run of events occurs, Carney will go to the Rorters, again. Maloney is looking slow and jaded, surely Todd needs a family club to bring his mental health back on an even keel. But if his form doesn't warrant it, they wouldn't want him, would they. Yes these comments are in the wrong place but I don't care, as I'm trying to watch standard def tv on channel 9, and it looks disgusting after watching fox hd games. Even fox hd games are bad when the green machine loses, but maybe it's not foxtel's fault.
Johnk
Guest
Geez Dj chill, we all know you hate Farrah
Blaze
Guest
Nudging your weight gently towards a bloke isn't exactly "kneeing or kicking", as much as you would like it to be...
Scrubbit
Guest
Why was tapou not sent off for kneeing/kicking a player on the ground
Darren Wyer
Guest
So long as your back the 10 meters you can jump around and move as much as you like so no problems there
Darren Wyer
Guest
Why was shillington not binned for the fore arm/elbow he threw at tapou to start that scuffle surely that's a send off of fence or 10 in the bin at the least the refs are a joke they have no guts to make any hard decisions that might stop some of the niggle early in the game and the players know it
djcooper
Roar Guru
Haha or Farrah telling White to have a go and hit him. Had to laugh the other night when Farrah tried to make out it was QLD instigating all of the niggling tactics just to slow the ruck down and effectively take him out of the game. Maybe he should be in line for the next round of concussion tests.
curaeus
Guest
I thought the highlight was Farah telling White he should have retired 5 years ago (which he should have)!
djcooper
Roar Guru
I thought the highlight was Brett white letting Farrah know that he is an f***ing sook.
Blaze
Guest
If you look closely big keefy was merely stretching and kapow had nothing to answer for, Milford slipped before kapow got to him, he went low and only brushed the back of his head, barely any contact really.. The retaliation came because he lent on Milford with his knee after he got up...
Cedric
Guest
what about Galloway, standing right in front of Croker, waving his arms in the air when Croker was attempting the penalty goal. I can't recall if the penalty was harsh or not but Croker should have been given another shot because of Galloways interferance. The refs couldn't have missed it, big Keith right in front of the kicker. That's a shocker! I thought Ricky was wrong, his fullback was hit by Tapou but the first contact was upper back, but Milford bent over and Tapou's arm slid over his back and up to the back of Milfords head, no penalty. Shillington and Campisie ran in at Tapou and were rightfully penalised. Earlier Shillington dragged his hand over Farrahs face and Farrah said there fingers in his eyes. Shillington was on some sort of mission!