Robbie Farah has to go.
“The decision was not made lightly but it ultimately allows the club a chance to restructure the football team to allow for future success.”
So goes the statement from the Wests’ Tigers board. We are told the salary cap is at fault here, but is it really?
The salary cap will be bagged but there is no doubt that clubs also use it as an excuse for their own decisions.
The Tigers may say it is unforeseen, but Robbie Farah is not worth $900,000 per season to them any more.
They have young halves and fullback up there with the best in the competition and some of the best quality hardworking forwards going around. You can’t afford everything and for years they have survived on a hooker overplaying his part but it is no longer what is required for them to be a finals contender.
It cannot be forgotten that the Farah has spent much of 2015 on the sidelines. When unavailable for State of Origin duty, many noted that the kids took charge of the show and the Tigers actually strung some wins together.
He was busted after State of Origin, and no doubt struggled to find his best form as a result, but it has also coincided with a poor run home from the Tigers to a point that they now sit alone at the bottom of the ladder.
Watching the Tigers play you can see the effect that Farah has on his teammates, but it is not all positive. It is not just the C next to his name in the program that tells you that he is in charge. He pulls the strings and barks the orders and the respect from his chargers is not doubted. He tries to do everything for his team.
It is not uncommon that he jumps out of dummy half late in the set and puts up the cross field bomb, or grubber into the in goal. Meanwhile young Brooks and Moses clap him on wondering what they are there for.
Seeing them play without him during Origin was like seeing a young Mozart let loose on the grand piano while the old man is at the office. That is not a new phenomenon with young players or a fault of Robbie Farah. Similar things have been muttered about Gallen at the Sharks.
The national Rugby League is a competition like no other in that any team can beat any other. The fact that fellow cellar dwellers Parramatta can all but beat the Roosters and then kill off the finals hopes of Manly an home says it all.
The salary cap, for all it is criticised, is much of the reason for this. Clubs cannot stockpile talent and player talent is shared amongst the competition.
Farah has to leave but the Tigers should be up front about it. The salary cap shouldn’t be mentioned. You have done your job Robbie but we no longer need you.
Potentially the Tigers could sign the likes of Matt Ballin, an experienced proven performer that is unwanted by the Sea Eagles, and pocket around $600,000 in change.
Now this is not to discredit Farah’s history with the club, fantastic contribution to the 2005 premiership and joy that he has brought to the fans in the style that he plays.
It is time to move on though.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Little access to third party funds. They have as much access to get agreements as anyone else. Around 2008 no one wanted to know the dogs. They literally couldn't give away their jersey sponsorship let alone attract third party funding. On field they were terrible too. How were they able to turn it around from that baseline yet some clubs throw their hands in the air and say "we can't get TPAs"? By the way not arguing with you...your comment is probably completely correct...it just got me thinking.
Parrafan
Guest
Very little access to third party agreements is my guess. It makes a hell of a difference. Plus paying overs for Tedesco, Brooks and Moses, paying players to play at other clubs, i.e. Takarangi.
RBBAnonymous
Guest
A few issues at play here. The first issue is they cant get rid of him even if they wanted to. He is contracted at the tigers for the next two years. Are they really going to keep one of their best players on the bench or worse in reserve grade. Imagine Farah playing in reserve grade next year all season for 900k. If they couldnt afford him they shouldnt have signed him in the first place. If they had salary cap issues they could have tried to work something out with Robbie. They should have explained their salary cap position better to Robbie at the time of his signing. It will be difficult for another club to pick him up at 900k a season without also putting their club at risk of the salary cap. This almost bullying a player to leave. If I was Robbie I would stay :)
The Barry
Roar Guru
You've just got to wonder HTF that squad could be over the cap???
Baracuda
Guest
Why would the tigers get rid of farah with 2 years left on his contract? It's not the be all and end all if he stays for 2 more seasons as his contract states in which the tigers are ripping themselves off for parting ways, paying out the rest of his contract without his onfield presence. The tigers are already paying out departed adam blair and it's not a smart decision to tell your leader his not wanted as well as leaving yourself financially worse off in the same process, a club that is desperately looking for stability.
Jamieson Murphy
Roar Guru
He had way too much influence in the big decisions at the Tigers.
Jack
Guest
Tigers should sign Ballin!
planko
Roar Guru
Ultimately the question is how ?
Trent Johnston
Guest
If they wanted him, they would make him fit within the cap. Dave Shillington summed it up when shafted by the Roosters years ago when he said "the salary cap is just an excuse, if they wanted you there they would make it fit". At the time the Roosters simply wanted O'Meley and Mason more. The Tigers obviously don't see value for their $.
The Ghost of Dale Lewis
Guest
How about San Franciso 49ers? Dallas Cowboy's cheer squad?
Parrafan
Guest
I think this decision has more to do with salary cap trouble at the Tigers rather than anything else. The Tigers have apparently heavily back ended his deal, and with the retention of their young spine on overs they simply won't be able to stay under the cap. Again the Tigers are shifting their old blokes in favour of the potential of their young players. It's only early days but Moses and Brooks haven't really developed much in their two years in first grade, and whilst Tedesco is extremely talented, time will tell if his contract will be worth it propensity to get season ending injuries.
Big j
Guest
Who are they? English super league?
The Ghost of Dale Lewis
Guest
Robbie is unwanted, shunned (bitter?) so time to top up and go. Catalan Dragons may have a spot for an Aussie hooker. Brrrr
Big j
Guest
Farah has probably had his time at the Tigers and it is probably time to go. Personally I would just take the money and run and focus on something else, maybe a career in commentary or coaching. He has two years left on his contract so just take it and run. He has not had the best year and the Tigers are contenders for the wooden spoon, what would be the point of sticking around. It would take more than two years for them to win a grand final (that's if they can afford to buy one) once they restructure the team. So he should just move on to other things.