tigersrule4life
New member
Brent Read
From:The Australian
March 22, 201312:00AM
FITTINGLY, Robbie Farah announced his decision to play out his career at Wests Tigers from a room overlooking the club's famous old ground, Leichhardt Oval.
"I have been playing at this ground since I was 12 years old," Farah said yesterday as he celebrated the new four-year deal worth upwards of $3 million.
"This club means everything to me and I have a strong emotional attachment. I love the club dearly. I never take for granted that I have been given the responsibility of being captain of this club.
"It's something I thoroughly enjoy and something I want to keep doing."
Farah admits there have been times over the past 12 months when that love has been tested. The club has said goodbye to some of his closest mates and parted ways with long-time coach Tim Sheens, although he still remains on the payroll because the club hasn't been able to negotiate a payout.
Still, Farah couldn't bring himself to contemplate leaving. He told his manager Sam Ayoub to exhaust all options with the Tigers before considering any alternatives. Thankfully for all concerned it never got to that point.
"It's no secret that the last six months has probably been a difficult time for the club with everything that's happened," Farah said.
"There's times where you probably get cranky, and you get the shits with things that have gone on. The club means more to me than that.
"Just because you go through a rough patch doesn't mean you pack your bags and leave. I think that's what makes this club and makes you as a person.
"You ride out the tough times and come through the other end. I am looking forward to turning things around. I see that as me having a big part in leaving the club, when I am done and dusted, leaving it in good hands.
"That's what it's about. It's not always going to be rosy. When things are bad you can't just turn your back and walk away. I am a very loyal person.
"I am the captain of this club. I see it as well as my responsibility . . . when things do go bad, it's my job to help turn things round, not jump ship. That's the challenge I am looking forward to."
It's been a mixed start thus far this season. The Tigers were battered in round one but better in round two. Farah's decision to stay adds to the optimism that followed last weekend's win over Penrith.
Asked whether other clubs were interested in his services – he was linked with a move to Parramatta -- Farah said: "I don't know because, to be honest, it wasn't about money for me and it wasn't about trying to squeeze or compare what I could have got at other clubs.
"I never formally sat down with another club. I didn't want to play that game or string other clubs along, presuming I was going to leave here. I told Sam get it done here, and if you can't, that's when we'll go to another club and say, 'I'm not staying at the Tigers, let's have a chat'. It never got to that point and I am glad it's all sorted."
Farah's next challenge is the Eels tonight but beyond that he wants to add to the premiership he won in 2005 and ensure he leaves the club in position to compete for titles for years to come.
"I love to win, so I want to win a premiership," he said. "(20)05 is a long time ago. We came close a couple of times and fell just short. I really believe . . . we can really build into a strong squad.
"As I said, we have some of the best young guys going round. With a good core group around them, I am really confident next four or five years the Tigers will be back up where they should be."
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/nrl/money-no-object-as-robbie-farah-chooses-leichhardt-for-life/story-fnca0von-1226602893344
From:The Australian
March 22, 201312:00AM
FITTINGLY, Robbie Farah announced his decision to play out his career at Wests Tigers from a room overlooking the club's famous old ground, Leichhardt Oval.
"I have been playing at this ground since I was 12 years old," Farah said yesterday as he celebrated the new four-year deal worth upwards of $3 million.
"This club means everything to me and I have a strong emotional attachment. I love the club dearly. I never take for granted that I have been given the responsibility of being captain of this club.
"It's something I thoroughly enjoy and something I want to keep doing."
Farah admits there have been times over the past 12 months when that love has been tested. The club has said goodbye to some of his closest mates and parted ways with long-time coach Tim Sheens, although he still remains on the payroll because the club hasn't been able to negotiate a payout.
Still, Farah couldn't bring himself to contemplate leaving. He told his manager Sam Ayoub to exhaust all options with the Tigers before considering any alternatives. Thankfully for all concerned it never got to that point.
"It's no secret that the last six months has probably been a difficult time for the club with everything that's happened," Farah said.
"There's times where you probably get cranky, and you get the shits with things that have gone on. The club means more to me than that.
"Just because you go through a rough patch doesn't mean you pack your bags and leave. I think that's what makes this club and makes you as a person.
"You ride out the tough times and come through the other end. I am looking forward to turning things around. I see that as me having a big part in leaving the club, when I am done and dusted, leaving it in good hands.
"That's what it's about. It's not always going to be rosy. When things are bad you can't just turn your back and walk away. I am a very loyal person.
"I am the captain of this club. I see it as well as my responsibility . . . when things do go bad, it's my job to help turn things round, not jump ship. That's the challenge I am looking forward to."
It's been a mixed start thus far this season. The Tigers were battered in round one but better in round two. Farah's decision to stay adds to the optimism that followed last weekend's win over Penrith.
Asked whether other clubs were interested in his services – he was linked with a move to Parramatta -- Farah said: "I don't know because, to be honest, it wasn't about money for me and it wasn't about trying to squeeze or compare what I could have got at other clubs.
"I never formally sat down with another club. I didn't want to play that game or string other clubs along, presuming I was going to leave here. I told Sam get it done here, and if you can't, that's when we'll go to another club and say, 'I'm not staying at the Tigers, let's have a chat'. It never got to that point and I am glad it's all sorted."
Farah's next challenge is the Eels tonight but beyond that he wants to add to the premiership he won in 2005 and ensure he leaves the club in position to compete for titles for years to come.
"I love to win, so I want to win a premiership," he said. "(20)05 is a long time ago. We came close a couple of times and fell just short. I really believe . . . we can really build into a strong squad.
"As I said, we have some of the best young guys going round. With a good core group around them, I am really confident next four or five years the Tigers will be back up where they should be."
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/nrl/money-no-object-as-robbie-farah-chooses-leichhardt-for-life/story-fnca0von-1226602893344
