Marshall and Farah

[Harvey]

I am amazed. About everyone in the team made a blunder except Farah. When he was taken off they failed to get a kick away on the fifth, the try they achieved had little to do with the DH I think, but their first try the DH was involved (RF).

I am happy whatever he decides to do but he was far from being responsible for the loss to night. Brooks on one occasion did not get a kick away on the fifth so soon after Farah gets one good away himself far into the tackle count - good play. He displayed quick reflexes to catch balls in tight play etc etc - I won't claim that he is still fast but Damien Cook has recently proven that being fast by itself is insufficient. Liddle is great but lacks smarts near the line but is definitely learning.

So 2 seven tackle sets given away and kicks directly into the opposition don't count as a mistake? He also knocked on about 2 metres out from his own line, but you hmust have been distracted in each of these events.

 

[Demps]

Farah didn't lose us that game…
Neither did Brooks.

 

[notarealtiger]

Biggest problem I've seen with these two recently is that Farah keeps giving the ball to Benji rather than Brooks. Fair enough for long kicking but when we need to make an attacking play we need the ball in Brooks' hands.

Other than that, I think they've been good and we can't blame them for losing tonight (at least not Farah). Some of you are being very harsh, the only reason we've even been in the mix this year has a lot to do with these two.

 

[Byron_Bay_Fan]

I am amazed. About everyone in the team made a blunder except Farah. When he was taken off they failed to get a kick away on the fifth, the try they achieved had little to do with the DH I think, but their first try the DH was involved (RF).

I am happy whatever he decides to do but he was far from being responsible for the loss to night. Brooks on one occasion did not get a kick away on the fifth so soon after Farah gets one good away himself far into the tackle count - good play. He displayed quick reflexes to catch balls in tight play etc etc - I won't claim that he is still fast but Damien Cook has recently proven that being fast by itself is insufficient. Liddle is great but lacks smarts near the line but is definitely learning.

So 2 seven tackle sets given away and kicks directly into the opposition don't count as a mistake? He also knocked on about 2 metres out from his own line, but you hmust have been distracted in each of these events.

Of course the occasional kick will go astray but they weren't grossly over the line and there was a funny breeze I believe. At least he got kicks away that is better than some attempts of much younger players. Do you mean he knocked on during that scramble on the ground for the ball - of course that could easily happen, it was in broken play and all so quick. About 20 out of 20 players would also lose the ball in those circumstances. Talk about any excuse to have a go at him when he was probably the best and consistent player out there. But he did manage to catch balls in tight situations to over compensate.

 

[old_man_tiger]

I think we can cover the errors of one of them, but not both. I'd rather neither and hope they do the right thing and put the club first (I.e. Retire with dignity at the end of the year)

Tonight their kicking game was atrocious, decision making appalling. We were dominant in he first 20 and they hogged the ball, kicked like swaddled newborns and put undue pressure on Brooks and to a
lesser extent Mbye. Yes, handling was bad from outside men, but the spine butchered their fair share.

Should have been 18-6 at halftime and we were never winning after this failure of "game management".

 

[old_man_tiger]

Biggest problem I've seen with these two recently is that Farah keeps giving the ball to Benji rather than Brooks. Fair enough for long kicking but when we need to make an attacking play we need the ball in Brooks' hands.

Other than that, I think they've been good and we can't blame them for losing tonight (at least not Farah). Some of you are being very harsh, the only reason we've even been in the mix this year has a lot to do with these two.

I respectfully disagree with your second paragraph. The reason we were in the mix was the stirring effort of the first 6 rounds. Farah wasn't here and Benji has been ineffective since the second half of round 4 against Parra. I count 2 good games since then for him.

I do agree with your first paragraph. I think it is a factor in why we have struggled to put teams away.

Winning a premiership in 2005 has given me endless joy as a supporter, and I think Benji and Robbie were great players for us. Benji's highlights literally make the hair on the back of my neck standup. I just think we have to move on, no animosity or regret as they have given their all for us.

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

I am amazed. About everyone in the team made a blunder except Farah. When he was taken off they failed to get a kick away on the fifth, the try they achieved had little to do with the DH I think, but their first try the DH was involved (RF).

I am happy whatever he decides to do but he was far from being responsible for the loss to night. Brooks on one occasion did not get a kick away on the fifth so soon after Farah gets one good away himself far into the tackle count - good play. He displayed quick reflexes to catch balls in tight play etc etc - I won't claim that he is still fast but Damien Cook has recently proven that being fast by itself is insufficient. Liddle is great but lacks smarts near the line but is definitely learning.

So 2 seven tackle sets given away and kicks directly into the opposition don't count as a mistake? He also knocked on about 2 metres out from his own line, but you hmust have been distracted in each of these events.

Was probably packing the Billy and missed those.

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

I am amazed. About everyone in the team made a blunder except Farah. When he was taken off they failed to get a kick away on the fifth, the try they achieved had little to do with the DH I think, but their first try the DH was involved (RF).

I am happy whatever he decides to do but he was far from being responsible for the loss to night. Brooks on one occasion did not get a kick away on the fifth so soon after Farah gets one good away himself far into the tackle count - good play. He displayed quick reflexes to catch balls in tight play etc etc - I won't claim that he is still fast but Damien Cook has recently proven that being fast by itself is insufficient. Liddle is great but lacks smarts near the line but is definitely learning.

So 2 seven tackle sets given away and kicks directly into the opposition don't count as a mistake? He also knocked on about 2 metres out from his own line, but you hmust have been distracted in each of these events.

Of course the occasional kick will go astray but they weren't grossly over the line and there was a funny breeze I believe. At least he got kicks away that is better than some attempts of much younger players. Do you mean he knocked on during that scramble on the ground for the ball - of course that could easily happen, it was in broken play and all so quick. About 20 out of 20 players would also lose the ball in those circumstances. Talk about any excuse to have a go at him when he was probably the best and consistent player out there. But he did manage to catch balls in tight situations to over compensate.

A seven tackle set is a seven tackle set, regardless of whether the ball is an inch or mile from staying in goal.

 

[Mickeyboy]

Where is the poll??

 

[magpiecol]

Don't need a poll. Everyone runs out of time. No big deal.

Thanks to both. Have a great retirement.

 

[Eddie]

Both have been excellent for us in 2018\. 34 years olds playing decent footy in an average side.

You dont get Premiership players run around for you every day that want to come back.

I agree guys they should retire. But lets appreciate them rather then stick the knife into them. They have produced more at this club then most.

Looking at the roster they should do the start thing and hang them up.

This is not exactly a side on the rise.

The fact they walk into our team at 34 says it all really.

 

[gallagher]

Both have been excellent for us in 2018\. 34 years olds playing decent footy in an average side.

You dont get Premiership players run around for you every day that want to come back.

I agree guys they should retire. But lets appreciate them rather then stick the knife into them. They have produced more at this club then most.

Looking at the roster they should do the start thing and hang them up.

This is not exactly a side on the rise.

The fact they walk into our team at 34 says it all really.

Agreed Eddie, both champions that should be farewelled in style.
But Cleary stating he wants them both to continue says it all about our leadership.

 

[Eddie]

Wel he cant exactly say he wants them to retire in public I guess.

I reckon both boys will know what to do.

I get the feeling Ivan wants to go back to Penrith. SO what does he care anyway

 

[on_the_hill]

Signing Farah was a coach clutching at straws. A 9 game contact for a bloke stuck in reserves.
Clearly lost me that day.

He's not the long-term answer but we've been noticeably better since Farah joined us. We're playing him too many minutes for his age though.

 

[Byron_Bay_Fan]

Signing Farah was a coach clutching at straws. A 9 game contact for a bloke stuck in reserves.
Clearly lost me that day.

He's not the long-term answer but we've been **noticeably better** since Farah joined us. We're playing him too many minutes for his age though.

If we had 13 players out there who made the team **noticeably better** with their inclusion we would be in the finals for sure. Farah's kicks etc I believe were made out of desperation at failed attempts by other specialists players. If next year Jacob can't play 26 or 30 tough games with big guys deliberately running at him every week for 80 minutes then we are gone next year guaranteed. Our spine was 100% rubbish before Farah was called in - it was worse than my school boy team, an embarrassment. If not for Farah LO would not have been sold out yesterday.

 

[TIGERPOWER]

If they can’t lead us to the finals this year, what hope do they have of doing it next year when they are yet another year older. They rarely did it in their 20’s and we’re now meant to think they can do it in their mid 30’s? The fact Ivan was so blaise in leaving the decision to play on up to them, maybe that’s the giveaway Cleary won’t be here to worry about them next year.

All 3 of them shouldn’t be here next year. If Cleary is leaving it up to them then he is having a laugh at us. The future is Liddle and Reynolds and Farah and benji to retire. If not, let’s write of next year from now.

 

[Byron_Bay_Fan]

If they can’t lead us to the finals this year, what hope do they have of doing it next year when they are yet another year older. They rarely did it in their 20’s and we’re now meant to think they can do it in their mid 30’s? The fact Ivan was so blaise in leaving the decision to play on up to them, maybe that’s the giveaway Cleary won’t be here to worry about them next year.

All 3 of them shouldn’t be here next year. If Cleary is leaving it up to them then he is having a laugh at us. The future is Liddle and Reynolds and Farah and benji to retire. If not, let’s write of next year from now.

I don't think you will find a Farah supporter against that if Liddle holds up. But surely Farah does not deserve the boot he is copping because of his yesterday's effort. The game was well and truly lost on the scoreboard and mentally by all those dropped balls that were not by him. The game should have been locked and keyed before he got gassed, then Liddle comes on at half time.

 

[weststigerman]

If they play next year happy to be supporting Liddle and Reynolds I have no issue retaining them.

 

[yeti]

Farah was the difference between us going close to the finals and going close to the spoon!
Having said that, it's definitely time for the club to move on from both Farah and Marshall. Benji has played 6 decent games all year - the rest were rubbish. If he is anywhere near our team next year then we may as well pack it in now!

 

[jadtiger]

If they can’t lead us to the finals this year, what hope do they have of doing it next year when they are yet another year older. They rarely did it in their 20’s and we’re now meant to think they can do it in their mid 30’s? The fact Ivan was so blaise in leaving the decision to play on up to them, maybe that’s the giveaway Cleary won’t be here to worry about them next year.

All 3 of them shouldn’t be here next year. If Cleary is leaving it up to them then he is having a laugh at us. The future is Liddle and Reynolds and Farah and benji to retire. If not, let’s write of next year from now.

I don't think you will find a Farah supporter against that if Liddle holds up. But surely Farah does not deserve the boot he is copping because of his yesterday's effort. The game was well and truly lost on the scoreboard and mentally by all those dropped balls that were not by him. The game should have been locked and keyed before he got gassed, then Liddle comes on at half time.

I have been a massive supporter of Robbie/Benji over the years but their time is up both collectively and individualy it is time to go.