Brad Fittler defends Jason Taylor

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Brad Fittler defends Jason Taylor
July 24, 201612:13pm

BRAD Fittler believes Wests Tigers coach Jason Taylor shouldn’t need to explain himself regarding his decision to drop Robbie Farah to reserve grade.

After the NSW hooker starred against the Newtown Jets at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday, he spoke out against Taylor’s decision to demote him. But Fittler believes Farah and the rest of the Tigers should just pipe down.

“I noticed he (Farah) came out after the game and made a few comments and went a bit too far there,” Fittler said on Channel Nine’s The Sunday Footy Show.

“I don’t think Jason should really have to explain himself. On the whole the Tigers should just close their mouths and get on with it, I don’t know why they’re talking.

“Robbie himself, keep your head down and get the job done.

“I don’t know why they’re doing it and I don’t know why they’re all talking.”

Freddie also suggested the club’s general manager of football Mark O’Neill — a former captain and member of the Tigers’ premiership-winning side of 2005 — was under more pressure than most because he has to answer to the board about the football-specific decisions being made at the club.

“Maybe he’s the one in the spotlight. He’s the one under pressure,” Fittler said.

“From the point of view he’s got to go back and make those comments (about whether Taylor or Farah is in the right). I’m sure the board will be asking him these questions.”

FARAH LASHES JT

An emotional Robbie Farah conceded his Wests Tigers NRL career could be over and says he has been treated differently than other players by coach Jason Taylor.

Farah starred on Saturday in the Tigers’ 42-24 NSW Cup win over Newtown at Leichhardt Oval after being dumped to reserve grade on Wednesday. More than 3000 people turned up to cheer on one of the club’s favourite sons, with fans mobbing the star rake after the final whistle to show their support.

The Tigers’ premiership winner said the occasion — despite being the result of some controversial circumstances — was one he would always remember.

“I’m a bit emotional actually,” Farah said after the game. “It’s been a tough week and to see that (the support), I’m speechless.

“I’ve done my utmost to do what what’s required of me, but it just seems that nothing I do is good enough at the moment.

“All the sentimental stuff’s gone out the window for me now, today was just as good as playing my 250th at Leichhardt to be honest. Today’s a day I’ll never forget.”
He wasn’t in the NRL, but Farah was still a hero.

He wasn’t in the NRL, but Farah was still a hero.Source:News Corp Australia

The 32-year-old said it was unfair he’d been made a scapegoat for the Tigers’ problems in 2016, and attacked Taylor’s explanation for dropping him, saying his reasoning made no sense and went against what he’s said in the past.

“That’s the most disappointing thing. I’ve had the finger pointed at me and copped the blame for how things have been going. I find that unfair,” Farah said.

“Our biggest problem is our defence. When JT came to the club his priority, and he said publicly, was that as a club we’ve been an attacking sort of club. I find it ironic now that he’s talking about a lack of cohesion in attack when we’ve got the second worst defence in the competition.

“I’ve played four games in the last 12 weeks for the Tigers — three of those have been wins. In three of those games we’ve scored over 30 points, so if you think that’s a lack of cohesion in attack, I think you guys can form an opinion on that.

“I’ll continue to train hard as I have always done and I’ll continue to be professional and try and keep my mouth shut and try not to do anything wrong because I think that’s what they’re trying to get me to do. I’m smarter than that.”

Current and former teammates such as Aaron Woods and Benji Marshall turned up to the Tigers’ spiritual home to watch their good mate, while plenty tweeted their support for Farah.

TAYLOR: FARAH’S CAREER NOT OVER

Taylor didn’t attend the match due to a prior family commitment, but he did say earlier Farah’s NRL career wasn’t necessarily over.

“There is no doubt Robbie will be considered for selection after this weekend once we see how both teams (NRL and NSW Cup) play and put everything together,” Taylor said on Saturday.

“I would like to think we could get to the point where Robbie is able to get that (250) but we don’t know what the future holds.

“No one expects us to put individual milestones ahead of what we genuinely believe is best for the team.”

Taylor denied there was a personal issue between he and the NSW No. 9 and said the decision was based purely on the performance of the team.

“Robbie is a creative dummy half and we have a number of creative players in our team,” he said.

“There is only one ball and it is hard to have too many creative players. That is the clearest way I can put it in terms of how of our team runs and how we would like it to run.

“Robbie is a great player and a State of Origin player and that is why I understand how tough it is for people to understand this and it is very tough for Robbie to accept it but he has accepted it in great fashion.”

Plans have been shelved for a 250th game celebration at Farah’s beloved Leichhardt in round 22 and the future of the NSW hooker is uncertain despite him being under contract at the Tigers through 2017.

The 32-year-old said it was unfair he’d been made a scapegoat for the Tigers’ problems in 2016, and attacked Taylor’s explanation for dropping him, saying his reasoning made no sense and went against what he’s said in the past.

“That’s the most disappointing thing. I’ve had the finger pointed at me and copped the blame for how things have been going. I find that unfair,” Farah said.

“Our biggest problem is our defence. When JT came to the club his priority, and he said publicly, was that as a club we’ve been an attacking sort of club. I find it ironic now that he’s talking about a lack of cohesion in attack when we’ve got the second worst defence in the competition.

“I’ve played four games in the last 12 weeks for the Tigers — three of those have been wins. In three of those games we’ve scored over 30 points, so if you think that’s a lack of cohesion in attack, I think you guys can form an opinion on that.

“I’ll continue to train hard as I have always done and I’ll continue to be professional and try and keep my mouth shut and try not to do anything wrong because I think that’s what they’re trying to get me to do. I’m smarter than that.”

Current and former teammates such as Aaron Woods and Benji Marshall turned up to the Tigers’ spiritual home to watch their good mate, while plenty tweeted their support for Farah.

TAYLOR: FARAH’S CAREER NOT OVER

Taylor didn’t attend the match due to a prior family commitment, but he did say earlier Farah’s NRL career wasn’t necessarily over.

“There is no doubt Robbie will be considered for selection after this weekend once we see how both teams (NRL and NSW Cup) play and put everything together,” Taylor said on Saturday.

“I would like to think we could get to the point where Robbie is able to get that (250) but we don’t know what the future holds.

“No one expects us to put individual milestones ahead of what we genuinely believe is best for the team.”

Taylor denied there was a personal issue between he and the NSW No. 9 and said the decision was based purely on the performance of the team.

“Robbie is a creative dummy half and we have a number of creative players in our team,” he said.

“There is only one ball and it is hard to have too many creative players. That is the clearest way I can put it in terms of how of our team runs and how we would like it to run.

“Robbie is a great player and a State of Origin player and that is why I understand how tough it is for people to understand this and it is very tough for Robbie to accept it but he has accepted it in great fashion.”

Plans have been shelved for a 250th game celebration at Farah’s beloved Leichhardt in round 22 and the future of the NSW hooker is uncertain despite him being under contract at the Tigers through 2017.

— with AAP
 
Robbie Farah can’t stay at Wests Tigers: Andrew Johns
25 minutes agoJuly 24, 2016

ANDREW Johns has declared Robbie Farah’s position at the Wests Tigers as untenable after his axing to reserve grade.

An emotional Farah on Saturday declared his intention to dig his heels in after leading the Tigers’ NSW Cup side to a 42-24 win over Newtown Jets at Leichhardt Oval.

Just a week after being a part of NSW’s State of Origin III win over Queensland, Farah’s future is in doubt after coach Jason Taylor declared his NRL side was better without the 247-game veteran hooker.

Despite Farah’s resolve, Newcastle, NSW and Australian great Johns said it was impossible for him to see out the final year of his contract in 2017.

“How could you play if you and the coach don’t get on like that?” Johns told the Nine Network’s Sunday Footy Show.

“He can’t be at the Wests Tigers, I couldn’t imagine how toxic it would be going to training.

“I couldn’t imagine being in that position. It would be awful.”

Fellow NSW great Brad Fittler suggested the club should pay out the final year of Farah’s contract, said to be worth $900,000.

“Give him his money and tell him to go. That’s what they want to do, obviously they’re trying to play games and maybe force Robbie to make a move,” Fittler said.

“The guy’s got a lot of pride and maybe they’re thinking Robbie’s pride will get the better of him.”
 
Plenty of kids have played 14, 15, 16, 18 and 20s for the tigers(for some up to 8 years of their lives) and have had to deal without being given a Grade contract, Farah's had a dream run at this club, all good things come to an end. We wouldn't be at this point if Robbie and his management had worked harder last year to sort a deal somewhere else, JT tried to do it the right way, but Robbies management played their hand. 3 years in the SL and then back into the corporate world and Robbie will be sorted and then come back to the club as a legend, which he is>
 
"I’ll continue to be professional and try and keep my mouth shut and try not to do anything wrong because I think that’s what they’re trying to get me to do. I’m smarter than that."

Really robbie? You couldn't last two days without whinging to the media. Real smart if that's what you think the club is trying to get you to do… Please, just leave the club. Your now just embarrassing yourself.
 
Fitler “Robbie himself, keep your head down and get the job done.
>
“I don’t know why they’re doing it and I don’t know why they’re all talking.”

because some people just can't help themselves, even if they are digging themselves a hole.

“and I’ll continue to be professional and try and keep my mouth shut and try not to do anything wrong because I think that’s what they’re trying to get me to do. I’m smarter than that.”

clearly you aren't trying hard enough Robbie.

I don't particularly care for the coach nor how the club has handled the whole situation, which I thought would at least be over until after round 26, but Robbie, fair dinkum, the way you've conducted yourself hasn't exactly been exemplary
 
Mate, I watched the show this morning also and Brad Fittler certainly was not "defending" the coach at all

His comments were - this coach, the players the club…. Why is this whole mess in the public domain

If anything he was equally aiming at everyone involved and then singling out Oneil as the man who will now bare the pressure of addressing the board

I re watched it to try and see how or if I missed something that was close to your thread title......

both parties are equally to blame for this entire mess
The very simple solution is the Tigers want Farah out - pay him in full and be done with it
I don't believe for 1 second the money cant be found ?
As for the coach- time will tell.
Right ?
 
JT didn't get much support from the journo's on the footy show, the quote the way Jason Taylor has handled this is the most boneheaded decision of any NRL coach in the history of the game.
They said he has learnt nothing from his mistakes from last year.
 
It's amazing - this seems to be what most people who are not associated with the Tigers believe

Regardless of whether you are team Farah or jt, the embarrassing part for everyone is the manner in which this whole mess has been and is still being handled
 
@851 said:
JT didn't get much support from the journo's on the footy show, the quote the way Jason Taylor has handled this is the most boneheaded decision of any NRL coach in the history of the game.
They said he has learnt nothing from his mistakes from last year.

I keep saying this guy is probably the worst coach ever. The one constant in his time here is his ability to say and do dumb stuff.
 
@bobo125 said:
Mate, I watched the show this morning also and Brad Fittler certainly was not "defending" the coach at all

His comments were - this coach, the players the club…. Why is this whole mess in the public domain

If anything he was equally aiming at everyone involved and then singling out Oneil as the man who will now bare the pressure of addressing the board

I re watched it to try and see how or if I missed something that was close to your thread title......

both parties are equally to blame for this entire mess
The very simple solution is the Tigers want Farah out - pay him in full and be done with it
I don't believe for 1 second the money cant be found ?
As for the coach- time will tell.
Right ?

If you're going to neg rep me for posting an article which was posted on [www.news.com.au](http://www.news.com.au) then you may as well leave this forum now bobo. Talk about childish.
 
Gee whiz, if I was NRL CEO looking for a future coach, I'd be thinking twice before I gave JT an interview. Love him or hate him, I think the common thread is that he hasn't handled this well.

From what others have said, his job beyond this year doesn't appear to be secure….and I don't know if other CEOs will be lining up to bring him to their club as a head coach.
 
@coopy said:
Gee whiz, if I was NRL CEO looking for a future coach, I'd be thinking twice before I gave JT an interview. Love him or hate him, I think the common thread is that he hasn't handled this well.

From what others have said, his job beyond this year doesn't appear to be secure….and I don't know if other CEOs will be lining up to bring him to their club as a head coach.

Yeah this is what seems to be lost in the sauce here

We all get it
People here despise Farah but wow if anyone wants a case study on how NOT to handle a team…. Here it is
 
If any thing i thought both Fitler and Johns seemed caught off guard by Yvonnes question about the WT saga,Fitler tried to come up with an opinion,then he singled out Buckets being the man most likely under pressure and that the players should keep quiet,well none of the players have spoken to the media about this situation after receiving a warning text not to comment…i wonder if Buckets was behind the warning!Johns had nothing to say other than that he couldn't play in an enviroment where the coach doesn't want him ,later the 3 journalist all had opinions but agreed, although JT is entitled to pick the team RF should be in the team,and if they were playing one of the heavy weight teams he would be selected today.
 
@Chevy said:
If any thing i thought both Fitler and Johns seemed caught off guard by Yvonnes question about the WT saga,Fitler tried to come up with an opinion,then he singled out Buckets being the man most likely under pressure and that the players should keep quiet,well none of the players have spoken to the media about this situation after receiving a warning text not to comment…i wonder if Buckets was behind the warning!Johns had nothing to say other than that he couldn't play in an enviroment where the coach doesn't want him ,later the 3 journalist all had opinions but agreed, although JT is entitled to pick the team RF should be in the team,and if they were playing one of the heavy weight teams he would be selected today.

So basically most people think that the decision makes no sense if you are trying to win today.

It's funny how so many on here don't seem to get it.
 
@coopy said:
Gee whiz, if I was NRL CEO looking for a future coach, I'd be thinking twice before I gave JT an interview. Love him or hate him, I think the common thread is that he hasn't handled this well.

From what others have said, his job beyond this year doesn't appear to be secure….and I don't know if other CEOs will be lining up to bring him to their club as a head coach.

I don't think Farah has been sacked without the CEO's full approval, yet Taylor has been willing to take the entire blame. CEO should be pleased.

FWIW, I saw the show also and agree the comments have been taken out of context. Both Johns and Fittler said Farah should be in the 17.
 
@stevetiger said:
@Chevy said:
If any thing i thought both Fitler and Johns seemed caught off guard by Yvonnes question about the WT saga,Fitler tried to come up with an opinion,then he singled out Buckets being the man most likely under pressure and that the players should keep quiet,well none of the players have spoken to the media about this situation after receiving a warning text not to comment…i wonder if Buckets was behind the warning!Johns had nothing to say other than that he couldn't play in an enviroment where the coach doesn't want him ,later the 3 journalist all had opinions but agreed, although JT is entitled to pick the team RF should be in the team,and if they were playing one of the heavy weight teams he would be selected today.

So basically most people think that the decision makes no sense if you are trying to win today.

It's funny how so many on here don't seem to get it.

Yeah I haven't seen anybody on here saying that dropping Farah would make it more likely that we would win today…literally nobody...but please feel free to generally slag off at people don't agree with you again steve.
 
@Nelson said:
@stevetiger said:
@Chevy said:
If any thing i thought both Fitler and Johns seemed caught off guard by Yvonnes question about the WT saga,Fitler tried to come up with an opinion,then he singled out Buckets being the man most likely under pressure and that the players should keep quiet,well none of the players have spoken to the media about this situation after receiving a warning text not to comment…i wonder if Buckets was behind the warning!Johns had nothing to say other than that he couldn't play in an enviroment where the coach doesn't want him ,later the 3 journalist all had opinions but agreed, although JT is entitled to pick the team RF should be in the team,and if they were playing one of the heavy weight teams he would be selected today.

So basically most people think that the decision makes no sense if you are trying to win today.

It's funny how so many on here don't seem to get it.

Yeah I haven't seen anybody on here saying that dropping Farah would make it more likely that we would win today…literally nobody...but please feel free to generally slag off at people don't agree with you again steve.

But three journslists said he should have been picked!!! And don't forget Bryce gibbs! !!!
It's too funny.
 

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