Wests Tigers have given captain Robbie Farah permission to negotiate with other clubs for the 2016 NRL season, despite the champion hooker formerly having two years to run on his contract.
In a release published on Tuesday night the Wests Tigers club stated, “The decision was not made lightly but ultimately allows the club a chance to restructure the football team to allow for future success.”
The Tigers currently sit on the bottom of the NRL ladder, but are stocked with talented youngsters, including halves Luke Brooks and Mitchell Moses, and fullback James Tedesco who last year backflipped on a big-money offer from the Canberra Raiders to stay at Wests.
Having played 236 games for the Tigers, including 139 as club captain since 2007, Farah is the most capped player in the joint-venture club’s short history. Farah made his first-grade debut in 2003 under head coach Tim Sheens, and played in Wests 2005 premiership victory.
However, Farah was rumoured to have fallen out with Sheens toward the end of the four-time premiership winning coach’s tenure. Farah then had issues with Sheens’ replacement, Mick Potter, with Gorden Tallis claiming the Tigers captain said Potter couldn’t coach.
Potter only lasted two season at the Tigers before being replaced with Jason Taylor at the end of last year.
However rather than an issue with Taylor, reports suggest Farah is being moved on due to salary cap issues.
The full statement from Wests Tigers:
Wests Tigers has tonight confirmed that Captain Robbie Farah has been granted permission to investigate opportunities to continue his playing career at another Club following the 2015 NRL season.
Farah has been a key member of the Wests Tigers playing squad since making his debut in 2003 and has made an invaluable contribution to the Club both on and off the field in that time.
The decision was not made lightly but ultimately allows the Club a chance to restructure the football team to allow for future success.
Farah has played 236 games for Wests Tigers since making his debut for the Club in 2003, was a member of the 2005 Premiership winning team and inducted as a Wests Tigers Life Member in 2013.
The Club intends on treating Farah with the upmost respect during this process and will make no further comment until his playing future is decided.
pjm
Roar Rookie
The team is put before any individual player regardless of service, any loyal player gets that.
Birdy
Guest
I've gone grey in the last 15 years and it's all their fault. Lol
Birdy
Guest
Maths !!!!! Do you also say sidewalk and cell phone?
peeeko
Roar Guru
they merged 15 years ago, they have had some good times.
peeeko
Roar Guru
that sounds closer to the mark
peeeko
Roar Guru
wrong, they have to pay him. they are worth the paper. "he is free to investigate" if he wants he can stay at the tigers and receive his 900k
peeeko
Roar Guru
but you cant ditch guys that are on contract. What happens when this stockpile of young players is that when their contracts are up you have to pay big money to keep them
Jake
Guest
Incorrect, not even close to the mark champ
Jake
Guest
Nope not true. He signed a 5 year, $1.7mil deal back in 2011. Do the math...........
Muzz
Guest
True!
Samtwocan
Guest
Why bother Muzz.
Muzz
Guest
WOW - The club has threatened to drop him down to reserve grade if he chooses to stay. That's pretty heavy! So much for loyalty or perhaps there are, and will always be, issues between Farah and whoever is/was the coach. http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/robbie-farah-says-he-was-told-he-will-play-reserve-grade-if-he-stays-at-wests-tigers-20150826-gj7v85.html
Muzz
Guest
Meanwhile they've released Maloney and RTS.
G
Guest
I did say bench option. It was a joke in reference to the Roosters salary cap "management", as they seem to have a limitless ability to sign anyone they want.
Muzz
Guest
Roosters have also just signed young Jayden Nikorima who is an AU school boys rep and can cover all 4 spine positions. Excellent bench utility player who could be anything as he develops.
Joe
Roar Rookie
I think this might turn out to be good for the West Tigers in the long run. They might need a young hooker like Cherington to play in that spine that are all in their early 20's. Could be a long term spine that pays off for the West Tigers in the long run. They do need a few old heads in the team though...maybe a couple of older props and 2nd rowers for next year. Maybe Mason, G. Stewart types to help out the youngsters. At the moment they seem to have young players right across the park except for Farah, Richards, Galloway.
Charles
Guest
Spot on jamesb!
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
They don't need to ditch them. They just can't afford to make emotionally drive, huge money contract offers that are over the player's value to the team. Has Farah ever been a $900k player?
Big j
Guest
Barry do you think that the Knights have the cash to pay for him? The Titans probably would after the DCE mess, in my opinion he would be a better fit for the Titans.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Sacking Potter was a huge mistake.