Benji Marshall says the Wests Tigers’ decision to axe Robbie Farah is due to his abrasive personality and not the club’s precarious salary cap position.
Farah has been given permission to negotiate with other NRL clubs by coach Jason Taylor despite having two years left to run on his deal.
Taylor last week said Farah had been let go in an effort to shore up the club’s long term future.
Farah is on a deal worth a reported $950,000 and Taylor said holding onto the NSW No.9 would stifle their recruitment and they needed to make room in the salary cap.
However former Tigers playmaker Marshall says he believes the stoush comes down to a personality clash between Farah and Taylor.
“He’s a very bad loser and a very emotional person when it comes to defeat,” Marshall said on NRL 360 on Fox Sports.
“After games I think he lets it get the better of him sometimes … They talk about salary cap being the reason why but in my opinion it’s got nothing to do with it.
“It’s more about the personal battle between him and JT.”
Marshall – who played alongside Farah in the joint venture’s 2005 premiership team before parting ways with the club in 2013 – said Farah was “not everybody’s cup of tea” and sometimes difficult to get along with because of his outspoken nature.
Marshall defended Farah however, saying he was only forthright because he loved the club and had given his all for it.
Farah fell out with former Tigers coaches Tim Sheens and Mick Potter before their departures.
Marshall also revealed both he and Farah took pay cuts at the Tigers’ request in 2012 after the club realised it was set to breach the salary cap.
Marshall sliced $80,000 off his salary while Farah agreed to a $200,000 reduction.
They did it on the provision that those amounts would be added onto their salaries in their final years at the club.
Marshall said Farah deserved to be treated better and expected him to dig his heels in and fight for his spot next season.
“We both (took pay cuts). In 2012 the club came to us and said they were going to be X amount over the cap,” Marshall said.
“In 2012 I think I took an $80,000 pay cut and Robbie took a $200,000 pay cut for two years in a row.
“When I agreed to a five-year deal after that year, that was going to be back-ended and added onto my contract. The same thing happened with Robbie.
“Everyone looks at (Farah’s) price tag and sees $950,000 and says `well he’s not worth 950′. Well it’s really 750 and the 200 he took off three or four years ago to keep the club afloat.
“That’s how much the club means to the bloke and that’s how much it meant to me. We were willing to give up our money to keep the club under the cap.”
Emcie
Roar Guru
Am I the only one thinking it wasn't the smartest idea signing a heavily back ended contract with a club already struggling with the cap?
GB
Guest
If Balmain leaves the JV and Western Suburbs purchases the equity, it means they would have 4 seats on the 5 person board (1 is independent). The NRL would not be able to relocate Wests Tigers without approval from Western Suburbs.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
A bit late now perhaps but they shouldn't have let Potter go. The first coach to bench Benji...
pete bloor
Guest
Not really sure how this all makes the contract meaningless given they still have to pay him which is the consideration being given by the tigers under the contract. A contract doesn't turn your life into a perfect insular little bubble where not a single external force can affect you.
TrueTiger
Guest
I was talking about most fans from the Balmain side wanting to keep Farrah
Dexter The Hamster
Guest
What's the point in having a contract if it's meaningless??
no one in particular
Roar Guru
I don't think Balmain have anybody on the board. Simon Cook and Tony Andreacchio are Magpies affiliated. Marina Go, Rosemary Sinclair and Lucio Di Bartolomeo are not affiliated with either side
Western fuglie
Guest
I just hope J T sticks to his guns Benji Hardley gave him a warm review and in a week where Alan " I did it to Garry freeman in 91"jones has joined the chorus of Farah supporters I would implore every one to rember that 2005 was 3 coaches and 10 years of under achieving ago, hard decisions have to be made, time will only tell if they were the right ones
TrueTiger
Guest
I'd be interested to know how the 2 Magpies board members voted on this. From what I've gathered from fans is that most Magpies want Farrah gone whilst the Balmain guys want him to stay. I can't help thinking that certain sections of the Magpies just want to kill off Balmain altogether. They might get a rude shock if Balmain does die and the NRL appointed board decide to relocate the team. Then both foundation clubs will be a distant memory.. I think this is one big F U to the fans from JT and the board, at least on the Balmain side.
Jay C
Roar Guru
Is it really that big of a deal? People are moved on all the time. If you get it in your head that a player is bigger than the club you're going to have a bad time. What's the point of having a coach if you aren't allowed to coach? Tigers coaching gig is the worst job in the NRL, and this sort of stuff just makes it less attractive.
turbodewd
Guest
Sounds like Farah acts like a King or Prince and the captaincy has gone to his head. Make him captain of the Blues too and you double the drama.
Samtwocan
Guest
I don't know him and most here wouldn't either , but difficult people are just that difficult and regardless of your ability eventually the people around them have a gutfull of them . I don't know if this is the case with Farah but three coaches in a row would appear to speak for itself . I'd also have to think that putting an NRL puppet at the helm of the club probably hasn't been the best move for stability . The big unanswered question is , who's decision was it to ask him to leave . Was it JT or is he the messenger ?
Squidward
Roar Rookie
I always hear about Farah snapping at players and not talking to anyone for days after Liverpool loses. He must be terrifying after his own loses