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Wests Tigers captain Robbie Farah admits it was 'different' returning to pre-season training without the familiar face of Tim Sheens in charge, but has backed new coach Mick Potter to turn things around
Farah, who was told of Potter's appointment while on holidays in Bali, made his first appearance of the off-season at a gruelling three-hour session on the NSW central coast on Monday.
"It is different but it's a fresh start too," Farah told Sportal
"Sometimes change can be a good thing and that's what we're hoping for.
"Mick's come in here with a really tough mentality and he's really pushing us this pre-season.
"It's going to be tough and we're really looking forward to that and hopefully he can get the best out of this group."
Farah revealed he called Potter from Bali to congratulate him on his appointment and met with the coach soon after returning to Sydney.
The NSW rake says he's unsure whether Potter plans to drastically alter the Tigers' razzle-dazzle approach after they finished a disappointing 10th in 2012.
"We haven't really spoken about style of play or the football side of things, it's more the culture that he wants to instil here and the attitude that he wants us to carry throughout pre-season," he said.
"He's big on discipline and honesty and people being accountable for their performances at training and on the field."
Asked if the Tigers have a point to prove next season, Farah replied: "We've probably got a point to prove to ourselves, no one's more disappointed in the way we played this year than ourselves.
"To go into a season with a lot of expectation and to let ourselves down and everyone else down was hard to take but the only way we can turn things around is hard work."
The off-season departure of Sheens and popular players Beau Ryan and Chris Heighington has seen some critics to predict lean times ahead for the Tigers.
But Farah believes the future is bright following the signing of Roosters skipper Braith Anasta and the emergence of a new breed of Tigers in the lower grades last season.
"I think Braith will bring a great deal, no matter where Mick decides to play him," Farah said.
"He brings a lot of leadership, he's a first-grade captain and has been for a few years so we'll draw on that experience.
"Eddy Pettybourne's played a heap of first-grade and he's a tough carrier of the ball and tough defensively, and Bodene (Thompson) had an injury-disrupted season last year but hopefully he can fulfil his potential here at this club.
"We've also got a lot of young kids coming through too, our under-20s obviously won the comp last year and our reserve grade made the grand final and our SG Ball won the comp as well.
"We're hoping there's a good batch of kids that come through and really stamp our mark on this squad and the team."
http://www.sportal.com.au/league-news-display/farah-welcomes-fresh-start-208577
Farah, who was told of Potter's appointment while on holidays in Bali, made his first appearance of the off-season at a gruelling three-hour session on the NSW central coast on Monday.
"It is different but it's a fresh start too," Farah told Sportal
"Sometimes change can be a good thing and that's what we're hoping for.
"Mick's come in here with a really tough mentality and he's really pushing us this pre-season.
"It's going to be tough and we're really looking forward to that and hopefully he can get the best out of this group."
Farah revealed he called Potter from Bali to congratulate him on his appointment and met with the coach soon after returning to Sydney.
The NSW rake says he's unsure whether Potter plans to drastically alter the Tigers' razzle-dazzle approach after they finished a disappointing 10th in 2012.
"We haven't really spoken about style of play or the football side of things, it's more the culture that he wants to instil here and the attitude that he wants us to carry throughout pre-season," he said.
"He's big on discipline and honesty and people being accountable for their performances at training and on the field."
Asked if the Tigers have a point to prove next season, Farah replied: "We've probably got a point to prove to ourselves, no one's more disappointed in the way we played this year than ourselves.
"To go into a season with a lot of expectation and to let ourselves down and everyone else down was hard to take but the only way we can turn things around is hard work."
The off-season departure of Sheens and popular players Beau Ryan and Chris Heighington has seen some critics to predict lean times ahead for the Tigers.
But Farah believes the future is bright following the signing of Roosters skipper Braith Anasta and the emergence of a new breed of Tigers in the lower grades last season.
"I think Braith will bring a great deal, no matter where Mick decides to play him," Farah said.
"He brings a lot of leadership, he's a first-grade captain and has been for a few years so we'll draw on that experience.
"Eddy Pettybourne's played a heap of first-grade and he's a tough carrier of the ball and tough defensively, and Bodene (Thompson) had an injury-disrupted season last year but hopefully he can fulfil his potential here at this club.
"We've also got a lot of young kids coming through too, our under-20s obviously won the comp last year and our reserve grade made the grand final and our SG Ball won the comp as well.
"We're hoping there's a good batch of kids that come through and really stamp our mark on this squad and the team."
http://www.sportal.com.au/league-news-display/farah-welcomes-fresh-start-208577
