Any chance Robbie Farah had of Sydney Roosters extending him a lifeline out of his contract breakdown with the Wests Tigers appears to be over after discussions dried up.
Urged to seek a new club two months ago, NSW hooker Farah was linked to a move to the Roosters after requesting a release from the final two years of his contract with the Tigers on Saturday.
The NRL are unlikely to allow the Roosters to register Farah for a bargain price under the salary cap even if the Tigers pay our a large portion of his contract.
Regardless, the Roosters and the former Tigers skipper haven’t advanced talks since the weekend.
Roosters chief executive Brian Canavan said there had been no contact since reports of the mooted move broke over the weekend.
“We haven’t heard anything from Wests Tigers or the player’s management in the last three days,” Canavan told AAP on Wednesday.
The Tigers headed to the NSW north coast for a preseason training camp on Wednesday morning and Farah is understood to have gone with them.
With the Roosters move unlikely to happen, St George Illawarra remain as the last option for Farah in the NRL if he does leave the embattled Tigers.
Farah’s premiership-winning Tigers teammate Benji Marshall said last week he would love to have his good friend alongside him at the Dragons.
Super League is another option for Farah, despite Salford’s eccentric billionaire owner Marwan Koukash ruling out a play for the 13-match State of Origin rake.
However a move to the northern hemisphere would likely rule Farah out of the running for Laurie Daley’s Blues side next year.
nopuritan
Guest
Who wants Farah? Queensland wants him in the NSW side We love Loz and Bozo up here.
The Barry
Roar Guru
How much of an influence does an already disruptive Farah - now with a chip on his shoulder - have on culture and morale within the playing group. Even if the anger is directed elsewehere is that the sort of leadership you want at your club? And what about the young player that gets squeezed out because the roosters are paying Farah his $200k. Robinson is a smart operator and I'm sure he's considered all that and more. I agree there's plenty of upsides - unlike a lot of people I don't think Farah is over the hill at all and would offer a lot. But it also comes with plenty of risk.
Bulldog
Guest
Agreed - he is poison
pete bloor
Guest
Three reasons I think it works, and why the price is important, at about the 200k rumoured. First - It has to be at a level that is humbling. Maybe that isn't permanent but the roosters aren't banking 5 years on him Second - He's going to have a chip on his shoulder for a year or two, cash in on it Third - it's 200k which you can cut bait on and not get into a bad position with the cap (unlike the tigers). Plus it weakens another team that always talks about how great it is at developing juniors. That means you can swoop in and take their next decent junior because they've screwed up their cap.
AJM
Guest
Funny how talks have broken down right about the time the NRL have said Farah couldn't be signed to minimum contract deal. Quite unbelievable that nobody wants Farah. You'd have to think he's damaged goods which no one wants to touch. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
GD66
Guest
He certainly is a common denominator in numerous eruptions. Difficult to envisage how this whole soap opera could have been worse-orchestrated by his manager, a bloke allegedly acting with Farah's best interests (and income) at heart.
The Barry
Roar Guru
You're right Pete but if even a quarter of what's written and rumoured about him is a quarter true why would you risk bringing the fox into the henhouse.
pete bloor
Guest
If you get him cheap he's good cover for the hooker/halves right
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Why the Chooks would be interested is baffling really.
Haradasun
Guest
Well if ever there was a case to support a transfer window then this is it.
The Barry
Roar Guru
hahahahaha
Bumsy
Roar Rookie
He's already had a disagreement with Trent Robinson.