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http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/robbie-farah-to-lead-tigers-from-the-shadows/story-e6frexs9-1226545439527
Wests Tigers skipper Robbie Farah says finishing outside the top eight again next season will be unacceptable. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: The Daily Telegraph
It's a startling admission. Especially in the final days of a year where this Wests Tigers captain has buried his mother, represented his country and produced 64 tackles in that State of Origin performance.
A season where the 28-year-old rake excelled despite his worth as an Origin player being questioned.
Despite both a Twitter drama involving no less than Prime Minister Julia Gillard and the persistent questioning of his relationship with fellow Tiger Benji Marshall.
And which Tigers player could honestly say Farah didn't represent them well in that explosive interview with NRL on Fox host Matty Johns?
Yet still the Tigers skipper wants to do more.
"As a captain, much more," he tells The Daily Telegraph.
"Sure, I'm kinda pleased with the way I handled a tough year. A year where I was challenged a fair bit mentally.
"But as far as the Tigers are concerned, we missed the NRL playoffs. That's unacceptable. And it's my job to ensure we get the very best from this playing group.
"So whether it be through my actions on the field, or maybe something else, it's my role to help get the best out of every individual. I have to drag players along with me because failing to make the top eight again won't be accepted by this club."
Despite being among NRL premiership favourites at the start of the year, Wests Tigers finished 10th - a result which eventually led to head coach Tim Sheens being sacked after 10 years in charge.
Farah says Sheens' departure - with two years still to run on his contract - proves to the players that another season finishing outside the top eight will be followed by the sound of further contracts shredding.
"If we'd made the top eight, Tim Sheens would still be here - so I think the precedent has now been set," he says.
"Making the eight, it's now the NRL standard. Anything less is considered unacceptable and the club has proved that by moving Tim on.
"It's no secret rugby league's a business and the players need to know they aren't immune. The way we played last year as group wasn't good enough. We need to turn that around."
After a summer in which he holidayed in Bali and went to the Melbourne Cup, Farah insists a tough pre-season under new coach Michael Potter had the Tigers primed for a year of redemption.
The players have already sweated through a draining three days at Camp Competitive Edge on the Central Coast then, more recently, were dragged through that Sydney torture chamber know as the Wanda sand dunes.
"Mick's come in with a tough attitude which is great," the hooker says.
"He's big on discipline, on accountability and that's exactly what we need around here.
"Players are certainly on their toes because they know, reputations count for nothing. It's a new year, a new start and everyone is being treated the same."
Wests Tigers skipper Robbie Farah says finishing outside the top eight again next season will be unacceptable. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: The Daily Telegraph
It's a startling admission. Especially in the final days of a year where this Wests Tigers captain has buried his mother, represented his country and produced 64 tackles in that State of Origin performance.
A season where the 28-year-old rake excelled despite his worth as an Origin player being questioned.
Despite both a Twitter drama involving no less than Prime Minister Julia Gillard and the persistent questioning of his relationship with fellow Tiger Benji Marshall.
And which Tigers player could honestly say Farah didn't represent them well in that explosive interview with NRL on Fox host Matty Johns?
Yet still the Tigers skipper wants to do more.
"As a captain, much more," he tells The Daily Telegraph.
"Sure, I'm kinda pleased with the way I handled a tough year. A year where I was challenged a fair bit mentally.
"But as far as the Tigers are concerned, we missed the NRL playoffs. That's unacceptable. And it's my job to ensure we get the very best from this playing group.
"So whether it be through my actions on the field, or maybe something else, it's my role to help get the best out of every individual. I have to drag players along with me because failing to make the top eight again won't be accepted by this club."
Despite being among NRL premiership favourites at the start of the year, Wests Tigers finished 10th - a result which eventually led to head coach Tim Sheens being sacked after 10 years in charge.
Farah says Sheens' departure - with two years still to run on his contract - proves to the players that another season finishing outside the top eight will be followed by the sound of further contracts shredding.
"If we'd made the top eight, Tim Sheens would still be here - so I think the precedent has now been set," he says.
"Making the eight, it's now the NRL standard. Anything less is considered unacceptable and the club has proved that by moving Tim on.
"It's no secret rugby league's a business and the players need to know they aren't immune. The way we played last year as group wasn't good enough. We need to turn that around."
After a summer in which he holidayed in Bali and went to the Melbourne Cup, Farah insists a tough pre-season under new coach Michael Potter had the Tigers primed for a year of redemption.
The players have already sweated through a draining three days at Camp Competitive Edge on the Central Coast then, more recently, were dragged through that Sydney torture chamber know as the Wanda sand dunes.
"Mick's come in with a tough attitude which is great," the hooker says.
"He's big on discipline, on accountability and that's exactly what we need around here.
"Players are certainly on their toes because they know, reputations count for nothing. It's a new year, a new start and everyone is being treated the same."
