Farah to SOUTH SYDNEY in 2017..OFFICIAL..

[Telltails]

A dilemma for Farah - doing the right thing by the club last time didn't really work in his favour - no wonder Pascoe is treading carefully.

 

[diedpretty]

Also Newcastle have sent out feelers to see if he is/was interested,looks like he might be on the move.

Both Newcastle and St George are in the mix, the stumbling block remains the $. Newcastle's offer is a straight swap for Uate which would effectively still cost us Farah's full $900k + a $50k binding TPA ( Uate is contracted @ $500k so it's being sold as only costing us $400k, but in real terms we would have to pay the $900k and we get Uate for free so to speak) The club is trying to finesse the deal by offering Rankin & Littlejohn in an attempt to actually save another $200k. Funny thing is Newcastle are keen on Kevvie returning, but Taylor not at all keen to release, also a major attraction to Uate is to play alongside Kevvie again at WTs. The St George deal is a straight 50% subsidy whereby we pay $450k + $50 tpa (its actually back dated short payments from previous years) This would mean we could effectively save $450k which would secure Elijah Taylor. This is a cleaner deal but was only raised the day after origin 3, **the Newcastle deal has been on the table for a couple of months and included a guarantee that Mick Potter would not remain at the club.** Danny Buderas will take an expanded role and is reasonably close with Farah. Farah's future remains the key issue for our 2017 recruitment. He is absolutely entitled to remain with the club and continues to enjoy strong support from 2 key sponsors. The playing group is largely behind Jason Taylor but this doesn't automatically mean there is a split in the club. For example Dene Halatau remains very tight with both Farah & Taylor and this is the case with the majority of the club, to my knowledge there are only a few exceptions. I will repeat both Jason Taylor and Robbie Farah are being extremely professional with each other and I still cannot find any substantive evidence of Robbie undermining the coach. They will never be close, and there's no doubt the club would be better off if one of them moved on, but its still a case of wait and see. I don't have an opinion or anything else to offer.
A very quick update on all other recruitment rumours which are predicated on the club somehow magically saving the entire $900k value of Robbie's contract ( read Fifita; Lewis; Hayne etc) this will not happen. Of all the info I have heard the best offer/s we have received this year or last is a 50% contract share ie $450k saving. The Leeds offer was genuine and Robbie was very keen but for reasons that have not been explained to me we were only prepared to pay $300k subsidy.
Addo Carr has tried to get out his contract with Melb but this is extremely unlikely unless we pay $200k compensation. Ryan Papenhuyzen has been earmarked as the next big thing and is spending countless hours practising goal kicking. He may start on the wing but will end up in the centres probably in 2018\. Curtis Sironen knuckling down at training and showing a good attitude. Ersan Marsters doing extras trying to prove he's an 80 minute player. **Cherrington has signed an option with Penrith directly linked to whether Robbie stays or leaves.** Heleta desperate for a crack in the centres, but with Taylor a huge fan of Kevvie unlikely to happen, he may look elsewhere, but has not received any offers to date. Local juniors continue to be a high priority with the 'born and breed, not bought and fed' mantra a cornerstone of the strategic plan. Not much else of substance to share the club continues to be a positive place albeit with a few loose ends. Human nature sees a void of information and rushes to fill it with rumours and innuendo, I accept and understand that is the case with Farah's situation. All I can accurately share is that Robbie's interests will be protected by Pascoe all the way down the line. Let there be no doubt about it, Elijah Taylor's retention is very personal to Pascoe, and also let there be no doubt that we must make the top 4 in 2017 or MAJOR changes will instantly occur at the club. I'm not hearing anything to suggest we won't retain Tedesco & Woods, but it appears unlikely we will keep both Brooks & Moses beyond 2017 - next year will determine many things not the least those linked to the expiration of the current strategic plan / Pascoe is now formulating the plan for 2017 -2020 - it will include virtually moving all games to 1 stadium.
Until next time don't be afraid of the dark….

These 2 points interested me :

The first one - surely Potter must have already been earmarked to be moved on. If not Newcastle would be opening a huge can of worms by sacking one of the coaching staff because Robbie wont go there if he stays.

The second - I'm guessing this is a get out clause should Farah not be at WT next year - I suppose its in his favour because I can see WT going with Liddle and Ballin if Farah goes which would see Cherrington on the outer.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

TT, how's the confidence around the place? You said back during the losing streak that the coaching staff had written the season off. Is that still the case, or is there a bit more belief atm?

 

[Geo]

Wow the Panthers are being very accommodating …

 

[gallagher]

Cheers TT.

 

[fibrodreaming]

Many thanks TT for yet another informative update. You say in your first post:

"Newcastle's offer is a straight swap for Uate which would effectively still cost us Farah's full $900k + a $50k binding TPA"

I thought TPAs were negotiated at arms length from the club. I don't understand why a TPA of $50k would be a cost to the club.

Strictly speaking you're right, but I've been told this $50k has now been linked to his contract terms. It may have been originally a separate tpa but I'm now told his contract payment for next year is $950k, when it was originally $900k. So for the sake of simplicity let me confirm he is rightfully / contractually owed $950k by the club for 2017.
Apart from some interest in David Gower which has gone cold in recent weeks with the signing of Paseka and the rapid improvement in Felise I really don't have any reliable news of potential signings_: so that would eliminate Heighno. Effectively we are pretty much $ maxed out once we re-sign Elijah Taylor @ $450k which is linked to the Farah saga. At the risk of laboring the point Farah is interested in a role with the club / nrl beyond his playing career, this may create some creative accounting wriggle room!
Coach Taylor does have the respect of Farah unlike coach Potter, but they simply don't get on personally, professionally let me repeat they are both getting on with the job. The only thing I have heard first hand in the last few months which could be construed as Farah having a go at Taylor is Farah criticising the teams appalling defence, but he was not having a dig at Taylor more a case of trying to rev up his team mates. I have noticed Taylor hasn't been talking about defence in the media recently as it does undermine his coaching credo given that we are the 2nd worst in the comp.
Pascoe is not one to shy away from our deficiencies he constantly returns to his theme that we are the least successful team in the NRL OVER THE LAST 16 YEARS, and the time for excuses has ended. I have heard him repeat this at least a dozen times.
NRL Team as previously stated is now by selected Taylor with input from coaching staff and right of veto from Oneill. Goalkicking practise throughout the grades has become an urgent priority, Moses showing signs of returning to his 75% success rate from juniors, and a few others in lower grades outside of game conditions now kicking close to 80%.

Thanks again TT. Your updates are gold.

 

[851]

Thanks TT the ins and outs of a NRL franchise is just like a long running soap opera, they just jump from one drama to another.

I like the direction of the club at present, Pascoe seems to be a great operator and I think he has Taylor pointed in the right direction. I do not think we will finish top eight but next year anything is possible with a good run on the injury front. We do not need much in the way of recruitment,ET is a must and outside that maybe a class outside back that can kick

We do need an outside back, but I think Moses can become a top kicker, but a good centre would be nice, or even a good winger, Rankin is not the answer this year, let alone next year.

 

[851]

The ongoing focus on recruitment and retention will continue to have a strong bias towards local juniors / this is also the case with team selections. For instance if Addo Carr was a local junior I have no doubt we would have retained him ( personal opinion only) Papenhuyzen is a local Balmain junior and the club is very excited about his future both on and off the field. For what its worth he's no show pony, he's very humble and can play, just needs 5kg to play NRL. Final word on Robbie Farah he still sees a future with the club beyond his playing days and remains receptive to the right offer that could bring an end to this saga. I don't have a personal relationship with Farah but those that do tell me his intense / competitive nature is often misconstrued as arrogance, but this is not the case. Its a classic personality clash but in this case the club must support the coach, otherwise the precedent is set for the inmates to take over the asylum. But let me now make it crystal clear that Farah did actually put the club first for 4 years when he accepted a bona fide $100k less than he was offered elsewhere on the written / contractual basis that this would be made up to him in 2015-2017\. Tedesco has actually formed a strong relationship with Jason Taylor and I'm 99% sure he will stay / Farah would never try to tempt him to look elsewhere, but no doubt will share his views on back ended / make up contracts. All scuttlebutt aside the club is a happy and cohesive place at the moment, everyone is trying to solve the riddle of inconsistency. There will be support coaching staff changes at years end & Taylor really needs to show the Board that this team can make the 8 this year / or come VERY close ( miss out on F/A) to prove that the stated top 4 / premiership goal next year is realistic. The squad next year will be similar but with more invaluable experience. I've just been told the Leeds deal is not dead and buried and that a Hardaker swap with Robbie could still be possible in 2017 provided we stump up $500k! Even being close to the action these rumours do my head in, don't even get me started on the Jamal Idris rumours that went through the physio / rehab team yesterday.

Whilst that may be good for us, are Leeds stocking up on hookers, is JT doing their recruiting, why would they need Farah and Segeyaro.

 

[Masterton]

Moses has made it clear he doesn't need / want to be protected in defence and he is getting into Brooks big time to stand up and be counted. These two don't hold back on assessing each others games - yet they remain best of friends.

Nofa has been told to hold his line which forces the pressure back on Kevvy to make the right read in defence. In training there are drills where Noffa has held his line and not rushed in and Kev has been exposed, but at least the problem has now been clearly identified.

Two of the best things I've read on here all year.

 

[supercoach]

Thanks TT the ins and outs of a NRL franchise is just like a long running soap opera, they just jump from one drama to another.

I like the direction of the club at present, Pascoe seems to be a great operator and I think he has Taylor pointed in the right direction. I do not think we will finish top eight but next year anything is possible with a good run on the injury front. We do not need much in the way of recruitment,ET is a must and outside that maybe a class outside back that can kick

We do need an outside back, but I think Moses can become a top kicker, but a good centre would be nice, or even a good winger, Rankin is not the answer this year, let alone next year.

Reading TT's comments it seems Rankin is being shopped around and the young kid in the u20s Ryan P…..... is being groomed as a goal kick centre for late next year or 2018\. Looks like everything hinges on Farah

 

[goldcoast_tiger]

Thanks TT. I'm fine with sacrificing Brooks or Moses if it means Tedesco stays, preferably Brooks. If we could get an experienced 7 for 2018 to be a foil for Moses and who can direct the side around we should be in great shape.

I've always felt we'll retain ET as long as what we offer is respectable. ET doesn't strike me as a player who will shop himself around to the highest bidder.

All in all, i'm really liking our potential squad for 2017.

I will continue to reiterate that i have confidence in Pascoe.

Also interesting to read Addo-Carr is still trying to renege. If that's true, why wouldn't Melbourne just let him. It's obvious he doesn't want to go.

Re:Et not being the type of player who will shop himself around.

What type is that. ?
If you think that his Manager isn't talking to other clubs between now and seasons end, then you would be extremely nieve. ( and I don't think that you are)
But if he's not , then he's not much of a Manager.
eT would have been bought to the attention again , of more than one club since he came here. And no doubt will be looking at offers.
He's a professional sportsman and doesn't appear to be dumb.
I don't think he can be put into the " I love the Club, and will take less to stay",
That usually means there's a paper bag of money coming to my house every week
To make up the loss.
We don't have many paper bags to throw around.
I think we all want him to stay , but if he does, it will mostly be because of a competitive offer from WTs, not a fictitious love of the club

 

[hobbo]

It's ludicrous that our player signings and player retentions all come down to one player being payed overs .

And what scares me the most is that Farah wants a role within the club once his playing days are over :unamused:

 

[gallagher]

It's ludicrous that our player signings and player retentions all come down to one player being payed overs .

And what scares me the most is that Farah wants a role within the club once his playing days are over :unamused:

Whats wrong with giving him a job at the club in order to get him out of the club? :laughing:

 

[Telltails]

It's ludicrous that our player signings and player retentions all come down to one player being payed overs .

And what scares me the most is that Farah wants a role within the club once his playing days are over :unamused:

Whats wrong with giving him a job at the club in order to get him out of the club? :laughing:

I dunno the economics degree maybe useful!!!

 

[supercoach]

It's ludicrous that our player signings and player retentions all come down to one player being payed overs .

And what scares me the most is that Farah wants a role within the club once his playing days are over :unamused:

I think Farah has a lot to offer any NRL team on or off the field. The guy is tertiary qualified and has played the game for over a decade at the highest level. He could take on a admin role or he could take on a coaching role. Make him defensive coach, would have to be better than Kidwell

 

[stevetiger]

It's ludicrous that our player signings and player retentions all come down to one player being payed overs .

And what scares me the most is that Farah wants a role within the club once his playing days are over :unamused:

I think Farah has a lot to offer any NRL team on or off the field. The guy is tertiary qualified and has played the game for over a decade at the highest level. He could take on a admin role or he could take on a coaching role. Make him defensive coach, would have to be better than Kidwell

I reckon it's best if he leaves the club for a while. The hate towards him has been irrational at times.

 

[Snake]

What really do you think Farah will do …what would you do for One Million dollars a year when you only have to work for 30 mins a week and this guy has the balls to want a job after he retires ,bleed the club dry ,destroys any chance of signing any quality players to make a play for any finals appearance and some here actually think this is a good thing well good for you!This guy has been destroying this club for years..

 

[Love_the_WestsTigers]

What really do you think Farah will do …what would you do for One Million dollars a year when you only have to work for 30 mins a week and this guy has the balls to want a job after he retires ,bleed the club dry ,destroys any chance of signing any quality players to make a play for any finals appearance and some here actually think this is a good thing well good for you!This guy has been destroying this club for years..

Geez Snake
Its well documented Benji and Robbie took less when they were worth more.. And that was to help the club.
\
\
Poor Robbie will get more daggers aimed at him when he retires..
I feel for the bloke

 

[hobbo]

It's ludicrous that our player signings and player retentions all come down to one player being payed overs .

And what scares me the most is that Farah wants a role within the club once his playing days are over :unamused:

I think Farah has a lot to offer any NRL team on or off the field. The guy is tertiary qualified and has played the game for over a decade at the highest level. He could take on a admin role or he could take on a coaching role. Make him defensive coach, would have to be better than Kidwell

I reckon it's best if he leaves the club for a while. The hate towards him has been irrational at times.

Agree with your first sentence ….
Farah is too emotional for a managerial role .
I wouldn't even let him run drinks !

 

[gallagher]

Unless it's just a gig in marketing, i don't think giving someone a job just to get them off the playing roster is a smart move.