CRONULLA could have their cake and eat it too when it comes to replacing Michael Ennis in the No. 9 jumper thanks to the potentially bargain basement price attached to Robbie Farah.
Farah’s name was immediately put to coach Shane Flanagan following Ennis’ shock retirement announcement, and the Sharks mentor was coy on making a play for the disgruntled Wests Tigers veteran after the 2016 season.
Fox Sports revealed on Tuesday that Cronulla has already poached another out-of-favour Tigers rake with Manaia Cherrington being lured to The Shire on a two-year deal.
Flanagan has spoken highly of the young talent at the Sharks with utility Nu Brown and Australian Schoolboy brothers Jayden and Blayke Brailey already on the books and being groomed for the hooking role.
But Farah is now again long odds to remain at Concord after being dropped to reserve grade, and the Tigers have previously indicated their willingness to cover a significant portion of his $900,000 salary to move him on.
NRL360 host Ben Ikin says the Sharks could potentially pick Farah up on the cheap as a short-term, experienced replacement for Ennis while their young hookers continue to develop.
“If Robbie’s prepared to move and be coached by Shane Flanagan and he wants to get out of this mess he’s in at the moment at the Wests Tigers, then absolutely jump at the chance,” Ikin said on the Fox Sports Market Watch podcast.
“It’s my understanding that the Tigers have reached the point where maybe they were being a bit precious last year with how much they were prepared to let Robbie go.
“Now it may be down as low as to $200,000, $150,000 a year. So they’re still left with $850,000 (on their cap) it’s sad to think if you’re a Tigers fan.
“… (But from Cronulla’s perspective) I would absolutely make it. At the moment, Robbie Farah’s legacy has been tainted. He has a chance if he can to go to another club, that’s in a premiership window, and perhaps win a comp and show the world what the Tigers are missing out on.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/sharks/ben-ikin-sharks-should-chase-robbie-farah-as-replacement-for-michael-ennis/news-story/c48c4bcefb8d86e4864d1f4fa65d6eea