Farah's Last Hurrah

[Spartan117]

5 odd more games after this and then there is the lure or 300 Games looms large.

At the right price… Im open to it as a fan.

 

[Chicken_Faced_Killa]

Let’s not rush into anything we are talking about a guy who has played 4 first grade games all year. Lets see how he goes after a few games back to back at 34 the body might struggle a bit.

 

[Byron_Bay_Fan]

Drop him a hint to begin practise goal kicking as a back up gig. His love of First Grade and the 300 game record can do marvellous things to smooth over money matters.

 

[Byron_Bay_Fan]

The newspapers are reading my great ideas here and printing online to get more views and advertising dollars. and without attribution.

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/top-tiger-farah-could-roar-on-a-little-longer-20180717-p4zrzs.html

Top Tiger Farah could roar on a little longer
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Farah and Marshall turn back clock as Wests Tigers stun Dragons

Top Tiger Farah could roar on a little longer

By Christian Nicolussi
17 July 2018 — 5:26pm

The Robbie Farah farewell tour could roll on to 2019 as the Wests Tigers pin-up gives serious thought to playing on one final season.

Farah was grateful to be granted a pre-June 30 release from South Sydney to finish out the year at his beloved Tigers before he planned to call it quits.

One more lap? Robbie Farah has left the door open to playing another season with the Tigers.
One more lap? Robbie Farah has left the door open to playing another season with the Tigers.

Photo: AAP
But Farah has made such an impact in his two games for the Tigers, Fairfax Media understands he is starting to have second thoughts about walking away.

While Farah will have no issues physically coping with another season, which could see him possibly reach 300 NRL games, the bigger hurdle will be whether he can lift again mentally at the age of 35.

Farah will celebrate 250 games in the Tigers colours on Saturday against South Sydney - and the man who kept him out of first grade, NSW No. 9 Damien Cook.

There have been no formal discussions between Farah and the Tigers, although it's understood club officials would entertain the idea if the premiership rake came at the right price and held his form.

Farah recently said the dramas surrounding his exit from the Tigers the first time around had taken an emotional toll, and spending most of the year in reserve grade this year had made the decision to retire much easier.

Jacob Liddle is seen as the long-term hooker at the Tigers but has struggled with a sternum and shoulder injuries for most of the season.

Farah would baulk at being an 80-minute hooker if he played on, but the idea of mentoring a player like Liddle would have appeal.

The Tigers' final home game at Leichhardt Oval will be round 23 against the St George Illawarra, with Farah hoping to have a decision either way by that date so farewell celebrations can be either planned or canned.
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Anderson's five-set marathon win, Houston walk off for victory, Pussy Riot invade World Cup, Porte crashes out of Tour de France, France win the 2018 World Cup.

Another season would see Farah pass 300 NRL games, provided he stays fit and in form, which has huge appeal. Should the Tigers pass on Farah, he will pull the pin, having decided he will not play for another club.

As Farah makes up his mind, his good friend and fellow premiership winner Benji Marshall is expected to give serious thought to his own future in the next fortnight.

The Tigers also announced on Tuesday Josh Reynolds would miss the rest of the season and undergo surgery to his shoulder, which kept him out of action during an injury-plagued first year at the club.

Marshall said on Tuesday about Farah possibly playing on: "If he keeps going way he's going, 100 per cent he can. He hasn't had a chance to play. That energy from being home, I think he can maintain it, and if he keeps going the way he's going, why not?''

Marshall said he had held no discussions with Farah about their futures, and they did not want to make the run home to the finals all about them.

The Tigers are in tenth and two wins outside the top eight after a shock win over St George Illawarra. Marshall said the Cook-Farah match-up was the biggest highlight in a Saturday evening game that will also feature John Sutton play 300 NRL games for the one club.

"Everyone has seen what 'Cooky' can do, and Robbie the last couple of weeks has been outstanding,'' Marshall said. "It's the most mouth-watering match-up of the weekend, with Robbie against his old club, his 250th game for the Tigers, Sutton's 300 games, there are a lot of good storylines for this game, and hopefully it's a great game we win.''

Marshall returned from injury to help the Tigers to a 20-16 victory over the Dragons with his spiral bomb to Matt Dufty as good as it gets.

He is expected to sit down with club officials in the coming weeks to work out his plans, and said the club could even make the decision for him.

New Tigers' No. 1 Moses Mbye was one player chuffed to run around with Farah and Marshall, and recalled watching them work their magic in the 2005 grand final win.

"Robbie has a really good footy IQ, he's been really good to have around this spine, especially with the new spine,'' Mbye said. "To have someone like him come in and guide the side around like he has been, it's a huge bonus.''

Meanwhile, Reynolds will undergo surgery on his right scapula, while Chris Lawrence will also go under the knife for a hand fracture he suffered along with a hamstring injury against the Dragons.
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THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD

 

[Harvey]

Yes, lets sign 2 35yo's that will set up a good base for the future.

 

[Eddie]

Pick the best players regardless of age.

My gut feeling is Marshall will def retire. Robbie is probably 50-50.

 

[Tim Sheens]

Thurston was good as well last year, but not the same this season as age catches up. Anyone in their right mind would savor this opportunity that Farah and co have for a last hurrah and say goodbye on their own terms whilst the sun is shining.

Langlands is the perfect example, needle issue or not, he played too long.

Edit; apart from that, I couldn't stand having any more of the plethora of similar threads on here, let alone all the souffs crap that is prevalent of late.

 

[innsaneink]

5 odd more games after this and then there is the lure or 300 Games looms large.

At the right price… Im open to it as a fan.

If he does go on and the club agrees, if the above is the reason then its the wrong reason
Im sure it will be very appealing to farah tho

 

[Snake]

Yes, lets sign 2 35yo's that will set up a good base for the future.

I ramble on about how entrenched mediocrity is in the club at all levels ,this is a prime example .Wanting 35 year olds to sign new contracts time to let the past on all fronts go , maybe the thinking should be let’s sign players that will propel the club to a final series ..I do struggle to remember the last time .

 

[GNR4LIFE]

If the club is serious about signing two 35 year olds for next year, then they have already thrown in the towel for 2019\. They must not have confidence in Grub staying fit, and they have no confidence in Liddle. 2019 looks like its going to be another nostalgia act.

 

[hobbo]

If the club is serious about signing two 35 year olds for next year, then they have already thrown in the towel for 2019\. They must not have confidence in Grub staying fit, and they have no confidence in Liddle. 2019 looks like its going to be another nostalgia act.

I can’t see a problem if both Farah and Marshall are fit and able to go around again .
What’s happens if Reynolds and Liddle breakdown again next year ?
Who plays 5/8 ?
Who goes into the hooking role ?

 

[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.

 

[tigerap]

If the club is serious about signing two 35 year olds for next year, then they have already thrown in the towel for 2019\. They must not have confidence in Grub staying fit, and they have no confidence in Liddle. 2019 looks like its going to be another nostalgia act.

I can’t see a problem if both Farah and Marshall are fit and able to go around again .
What’s happens if Reynolds and Liddle breakdown again next year ?
Who plays 5/8 ?
Who goes into the hooking role ?

100% but only IF BOTH accept the fact they will be second fiddle to Reynolds and Liddle…..and that means playing ISP or on the bench(only one of them) at best....I just cant see them accepting this.....as both are club legends.

 

[hobbo]

If the club is serious about signing two 35 year olds for next year, then they have already thrown in the towel for 2019\. They must not have confidence in Grub staying fit, and they have no confidence in Liddle. 2019 looks like its going to be another nostalgia act.

I can’t see a problem if both Farah and Marshall are fit and able to go around again .
What’s happens if Reynolds and Liddle breakdown again next year ?
Who plays 5/8 ?
Who goes into the hooking role ?

100% but only IF BOTH accept the fact they will be second fiddle to Reynolds and Liddle…..and that means playing ISP or on the bench(only one of them) at best....I just cant see them accepting this.....as both are club legends.

I doubt Benji will go around again anyway . He’s probably already got a good media gig lined up .

Farah is a must if he wants to go again .
I don’t think he’d care if he came off the bench each week.
We just can’t have hacks like Taylor playing hooker if Liddle breaks down .

 

[Telltails]

If the club is serious about signing two 35 year olds for next year, then they have already thrown in the towel for 2019\. They must not have confidence in Grub staying fit, and they have no confidence in Liddle. 2019 looks like its going to be another nostalgia act.

I can’t see a problem if both Farah and Marshall are fit and able to go around again .
What’s happens if Reynolds and Liddle breakdown again next year ?
Who plays 5/8 ?
Who goes into the hooking role ?

100% but only IF BOTH accept the fact they will be second fiddle to Reynolds and Liddle…..and that means playing ISP or on the bench(only one of them) at best....I just cant see them accepting this.....as both are club legends.

I thought form determined who played FG. That sort of approach sounds very JT like - ie when you are trying to get rid of players.
Dont think coaches use that approach when trying to get the best from players.

 

[Russell]

Alt 1\. They will be so called ambassadors :unamused: of the club when they retire - they can tutor Liddle etc. from the sideline and in training.

Alt 2\. $5000 per game when required.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

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

 

[Telltails]

No guarantees with any player you sign no matter what age and how much they are paid.
Less risk signing Farah on a one year minimum contract deal than signing someone for 4 years on $650+ who doesnt perform and or gets injured.
Thurston is at the end of a multimillion dollar contract - different situation with Farah .

 

[hobbo]

No guarantees with any player you sign no matter what age and how much they are paid.
Less risk signing Farah on a one year minimum contract deal than signing someone for 4 years on $650+ who doesnt perform and or gets injured.
Thurston is at the end of a multimillion dollar contract - different situation with Farah .

The haters would rather see us struggle than see Farah go around again .

 

[Geo]

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

I'd sign Cammy..