Farah's Last Hurrah

[Harvey]

One more year for Farah will do no harm in helping develop Liddles game. All clubs carry two hookers we will only have to sign another one. He is probably the best option and is an asset while ever he is fit and able rather than a problem. If the terms and conditions are right he will bring more value than some of our other signings.

Can someone explain how Farah will develop Liddle’s game? His game will not develop playing ISP (he is already killing it) and Farah has already given an interview saying that playing reserve grade for norths left him disheartened and ready to retire.

So either we have a bench hooker when interchanges are being reduced or we have injuries, or we leave Liddle in reserve grade next year at which point his contract is up and he is free to look around.

If Liddle can play 80 minutes everyweek and his form keeps Farah out well - whats the problem? The coach is always going to pick the best team and if its Liddle so be it.
Liddle has not been able to sustain that so far now he can be eased into it with Farah there. And we have able replacement instead of ET when he and if he is not on the field.

So you are suggesting that next year if the interchange is reduced we play 2 hookers in the 17? If Liddle can play 80 minutes and keeps Farah out, expect a lot of negative media coverage.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

2019 is make or break for Liddle. He should be given every chance. He is the priority.

 

[Telltails]

One more year for Farah will do no harm in helping develop Liddles game. All clubs carry two hookers we will only have to sign another one. He is probably the best option and is an asset while ever he is fit and able rather than a problem. If the terms and conditions are right he will bring more value than some of our other signings.

Can someone explain how Farah will develop Liddle’s game? His game will not develop playing ISP (he is already killing it) and Farah has already given an interview saying that playing reserve grade for norths left him disheartened and ready to retire.

So either we have a bench hooker when interchanges are being reduced or we have injuries, or we leave Liddle in reserve grade next year at which point his contract is up and he is free to look around.

If Liddle can play 80 minutes everyweek and his form keeps Farah out well - whats the problem? The coach is always going to pick the best team and if its Liddle so be it.
Liddle has not been able to sustain that so far now he can be eased into it with Farah there. And we have able replacement instead of ET when he and if he is not on the field.

So you are suggesting that next year if the interchange is reduced we play 2 hookers in the 17? If Liddle can play 80 minutes and keeps Farah out, expect a lot of negative media coverage.

Im sure all that will be taken into consideration Harvey. But Liddle is yet to show that he can handle the demands of FG and Farah is a good short term solution until he can - rather than looking for another hooker who may want more than a short term contract and a second choice hooker.

 

[Eddie]

The priority is to win games. I like Liddle however he has a long way to go to simply b handed the spot on a silver platter. Farah has been back 2 games and has had more impact. Cleary will make the right call anyway I’m sure -

 

[Elderslie_Tiger]

If you haven't seen Robbies 250th game jersey presentation by Royce Simmons do yourself a favor and watch it.Robbie and Royce didn't play together but Robbie credits Royce for making him the player he is today from he's time on the coaching staff at Wests Tigers this is what Robbie will do for Jacob they dont have to play together all Jacob has to do is listen and be guided by someone whose been there done that, this will bring the potential out that we all know is there.

 

[jirskyr]

Doesn't matter how good their form is this year, just look at Thurston. Players fall off cliffs in their mid 30's.

Well that's good because Benji is currently 33 - 2 or so years to go.

As Geo noted, Cam Smith is 35\. Also Cronk is 34, Gallen is 36\. Slater just turned 35\. Flash Gordon is 34.

Farah's had the best part now of 2 years playing reggies, he may be nice and fresh.

He'll be 34 come round 1 2019\. Farah will be 35\. If you wanna argue semantics though, go right ahead.

Talk about arguing semantics! Benji will be, what, 3 weeks into his 34th year come Rd 1 2019? His birthday is 25th Feb.

Point is you judge the footballer on how he's travelling, not how old he is. His age will speak for itself when it's time. I get what you are saying about age, but you can't just put lines through people because they've hit some milestone. Smith, Gallen, Slater, Gordon, Cronk all older right this very minute than Benji will be next year. And Benji had a year off playing rugby, plus a year playing ISP.

 

[Harvey]

They say absence makes the heart grow fonder.

I remember people demanding Benji be sent to reserve grade after about round 7\. Back for one game & lets re-sign him. I think some people on this forum have very short attention spans or memory issues.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Doesn't matter how good their form is this year, just look at Thurston. Players fall off cliffs in their mid 30's.

Well that's good because Benji is currently 33 - 2 or so years to go.

As Geo noted, Cam Smith is 35\. Also Cronk is 34, Gallen is 36\. Slater just turned 35\. Flash Gordon is 34.

Farah's had the best part now of 2 years playing reggies, he may be nice and fresh.

He'll be 34 come round 1 2019\. Farah will be 35\. If you wanna argue semantics though, go right ahead.

Talk about arguing semantics! Benji will be, what, 3 weeks into his 34th year come Rd 1 2019? His birthday is 25th Feb.

Point is you judge the footballer on how he's travelling, not how old he is. His age will speak for itself when it's time. I get what you are saying about age, but you can't just put lines through people because they've hit some milestone. Smith, Gallen, Slater, Gordon, Cronk all older right this very minute than Benji will be next year. And Benji had a year off playing rugby, plus a year playing ISP.

All the players you mentioned are future immortals and players who won premierships and have played finals year after year. Something our pair haven’t done. Plus, Marshall in particular has not shown the form the players you mentioned have.

 

[happy_tiger]

2019 is make or break for Liddle. He should be given every chance. He is the priority.

Liddle at the very least deserves the same chances Brooks has got

 

[Telltails]

Why anyone thinks Liddle would be concerned about Farah going around one more year doesnt make sense. It is a short term solution that allows Liddle to take over the role when he is ready.
I think he would be far more concerned about us signing a hooker who was looking to cement a FG position.

 

[2041]

One more year for Farah will do no harm in helping develop Liddles game. All clubs carry two hookers we will only have to sign another one. He is probably the best option and is an asset while ever he is fit and able rather than a problem. If the terms and conditions are right he will bring more value than some of our other signings.

Can someone explain how Farah will develop Liddle’s game? His game will not develop playing ISP (he is already killing it) and Farah has already given an interview saying that playing reserve grade for norths left him disheartened and ready to retire.

So either we have a bench hooker when interchanges are being reduced or we have injuries, or we leave Liddle in reserve grade next year at which point his contract is up and he is free to look around.

If Liddle can play 80 minutes everyweek and his form keeps Farah out well - whats the problem? The coach is always going to pick the best team and if its Liddle so be it.
Liddle has not been able to sustain that so far now he can be eased into it with Farah there. And we have able replacement instead of ET when he and if he is not on the field.

So you are suggesting that next year if the interchange is reduced we play 2 hookers in the 17? If Liddle can play 80 minutes and keeps Farah out, expect a lot of negative media coverage.

This season has shown that we need two proper hookers in the first grade squad - we can't fake it with a back rower or a utility.

If Clearly wants his hooker to play 80 that means a backup who knows they're going to be backup.

If Liddle is fit and ready to go that makes the other hooker the backup.

So the options are to sign a specialist 9 who knows they're going to be in ISP (is not even on the bench) barring injury.

If Farah is happy with that role he is clearly streets ahead, talent wise, of some generic nuffie who by definition isn't wanted to start elsewhere (a McIlwrick type, effectively).

Farah doesn't have anything to learn in reserve grade and I think we can trust his fitness at this stage. He's clearly the best option.

 

[cktiger]

He just outplayed the bloke who took his place at Souths and will be the Australian hooker later this year. Not quite a dud yet.

 

[Eddie]

He is a class player and our team is rejuvenated with him at 9.

What happened under Taylor was just diabolical and I am delighted he is having the chance to show just what a good player he is again at 34.

Cleary will want him to play on in 2019 I have no doubt.

 

[steve-o]

At the beginning of the year, brooks had two years to prove that he belongs in the NRL long term - he has done that. Liddle needs to do the same next year, with or without Farah. Otherwise he can kiss his Wests Tigers career goodbye. He would probably get one more chance with a different NRL club, but It would likely be a minimum wage “prove it” kind of deal

 

[yeti]

They say absence makes the heart grow fonder.

I remember people demanding Benji be sent to reserve grade after about round 7\. Back for one game & lets re-sign him. I think some people on this forum have very short attention spans or memory issues.

Benji deserved to have been shaking hands with Hodgo after round 7 or 8\. He was horrible. Great game last night - back to the earlier season - just controlling and settling the play. That's what we need from him for the remainder of the season.

 

[NT_Tiger]

I was sceptical about Farah's return to WT. In my view he proved his worth last night. Without him that game would have ended very differently. He absorbed a lot of heat directed at him from the bunnies and added another dimension in playmaking. He obviously played to script, judging by Ivan's reaction to the execution of his game plan. If we get to the end of the season and he wants to play on, and Ivan offers him a new deal, I won't be complaining.

 

[goldcoast_tiger]

If Robbie plays on he'd have to accept that he's going to have to play a number of games in ISP. Liddle is our hooker, Robbie the fill in. They may interchange for a bit with each playing half a game but the reality is Liddle will be our number one hooker and if Robbie isn't ok with that he should retire now and we'll sign someone who's happy to play off the bench or wait for a chance in ISP

That’s a good idea,
there a ton of top DH’s around who want to join a club purely so they can play a game in first grade every now and then and mentor Liddl

If Farah is still playing this well next year, I’m sure Ivan has the experience to handle the team
When the chance for Liddle comes, then he’l have to prove that he’s worthy of a first grade spot, if he can’ then good.
If he’s not, we still have Robbie.
It won’t hurt Liddle to have to earn his spot, Unfortunately that hasn’t always the norm around here.

 

[TYGA]

Farah has been outstanding our defence in the middle is hugely improved. He is also working well with both halves. Another year for sure but Liddle has to be extended.

 

[Byron_Bay_Fan]

Farah has been outstanding our defence in the middle is hugely improved. He is also working well with both halves. Another year for sure but Liddle has to be extended.

Hate to say it.
A contrived 300 WT games for Farah why not - he was denied a legitimate 300\. Even if he only comes on about 20 mins a game to help out in any position in the spine. With an appropriate salary he won't consume too much cap, it could co-incide with his ambassadorial duties as pay top up. Only playing part time his body could take it. He always gives money worth. Also it would be encouragement for future Club legends to persist with the Club.

 

[HabboTiger]

Best player gets the 9\. This may not be liddle.