Luke
Member
ROBBIE Farah is a contented man.
He has a successful business, a girlfriend of two years (Ashleigh), a supportive family and plenty of fans.
And his football team is on a roll.
At 27, however, his outlook on life has changed dramatically.
Once pre-occupied with individual honours - playing for his state and his country - he now takes on a less selfish role, as a leader of young men.
The Wests Tigers captain is so focused on his team that he says he’d give up his generous salary if it meant winning another premiership.
“Seriously, it’s that good. If you could guarantee me now that I’ll win another premiership, I’ll play the rest of my career for free,” he says.
Robbie talks openly about changes to his temperament.
A few seasons ago, he wouldn’t talk to family after a loss. He wouldn’t talk to teammates at training. And he would take his temper on to the field.
“Fail” was the worst of four-letter words. After poor results four seasons ago, his bags were packed and he was about to leave the club.
“Maybe there were others who felt as bad as I did about the way the club was going but I was the one who spoke up. Things had to change or I needed to find somewhere else to go,” Farah says.
That would have been a huge call for the man who grew up in the inner west, lived at Campsie and went to school at Ashfield.
He still lives at home and has strong ties to his family and Lebanese culture. It would have been wrong for Robbie Farah not to be a Tiger for life.
History shows he was handed the captaincy, and his club has turned around. He handles media commitments with poise, at times calming his passionate coach.
More importantly, it’s Robbie’s job to take young players through the turbulent times a football career offers.
Before, he would allow his temper to take control. Now, he looks at life more rationally and relies on his three brothers to keep him grounded.
“I might have scored three tries, but they still find faults in my game,” he says.
“But it’s great. I’ve got nephews who want me to drive them to school so they can brag to their mates. Of course I do it; it’s good for them.”
Life it seems, has become a little less about Robbie Farah. Rather, it has become about those around him.
YOU ASKED ON FACEBOOK
Ash: Benji is noted for helping kids with cancer. Do you dip your toe into charity work?
Robbie: I have my own charity with three mates called Mates on a Mission.We have a golf day and poker night every year. Lately, we’ve been working with schools for kids with disabilities.
Scott: Do you lament rule changes in relation to the ruck and scrum?
Robbie: I don’t think I’d have survived in the scrum in the ’80s, the game has evolved a lot. The emphasis is on the slowing down of the ruck, which has been a bit of a hindrance to my game this year.
Anthony: What do you think of calls for the scrum to be dispensed with?
Robbie: I’d like to see it stay part of the game. There are plenty of opportunities for set moves off the scrum and Tim Sheens works hard at that part of our game.
Tony: How do you think the growth of AFL will affect rugby league?
Robbie: I don’t think too much. Our game is the best product. Just look at the TV ratings.
Michael: Who’s the best player you’ve ever faced?
Robbie: If I was a coach and could buy any player, it would be Billy Slater.
INNER WEST BEST
Host: LeichhaTiger, 55 Norton St, Leichhardt;
Food: Woodfired ham and pineapple pizza.
ON THE MENU
Shopping strip: Balmain
Play place: Leichhardt Oval
Hiding place: My lounge room
Meeting place: LeichhaTiger
Iconic structure: Leichhardt Oval
Personality: Lote Tuqiri
Source: http://inner-west-courier.whereilive.com.au/news/story/top-cat-keeps-cool/
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Pretty interesting article, a lot of us have bagged Robbie in the past for playing too much for himself and SOO honours but we have seen a change in him this year. He doesn't try and get involved all the time like he used to and lets Benji and Lui control the game a bit more and injects himself when needed. I think we'll see Robbie really start to fire up leading into and through the finals. Watch out!
He has a successful business, a girlfriend of two years (Ashleigh), a supportive family and plenty of fans.
And his football team is on a roll.
At 27, however, his outlook on life has changed dramatically.
Once pre-occupied with individual honours - playing for his state and his country - he now takes on a less selfish role, as a leader of young men.
The Wests Tigers captain is so focused on his team that he says he’d give up his generous salary if it meant winning another premiership.
“Seriously, it’s that good. If you could guarantee me now that I’ll win another premiership, I’ll play the rest of my career for free,” he says.
Robbie talks openly about changes to his temperament.
A few seasons ago, he wouldn’t talk to family after a loss. He wouldn’t talk to teammates at training. And he would take his temper on to the field.
“Fail” was the worst of four-letter words. After poor results four seasons ago, his bags were packed and he was about to leave the club.
“Maybe there were others who felt as bad as I did about the way the club was going but I was the one who spoke up. Things had to change or I needed to find somewhere else to go,” Farah says.
That would have been a huge call for the man who grew up in the inner west, lived at Campsie and went to school at Ashfield.
He still lives at home and has strong ties to his family and Lebanese culture. It would have been wrong for Robbie Farah not to be a Tiger for life.
History shows he was handed the captaincy, and his club has turned around. He handles media commitments with poise, at times calming his passionate coach.
More importantly, it’s Robbie’s job to take young players through the turbulent times a football career offers.
Before, he would allow his temper to take control. Now, he looks at life more rationally and relies on his three brothers to keep him grounded.
“I might have scored three tries, but they still find faults in my game,” he says.
“But it’s great. I’ve got nephews who want me to drive them to school so they can brag to their mates. Of course I do it; it’s good for them.”
Life it seems, has become a little less about Robbie Farah. Rather, it has become about those around him.
YOU ASKED ON FACEBOOK
Ash: Benji is noted for helping kids with cancer. Do you dip your toe into charity work?
Robbie: I have my own charity with three mates called Mates on a Mission.We have a golf day and poker night every year. Lately, we’ve been working with schools for kids with disabilities.
Scott: Do you lament rule changes in relation to the ruck and scrum?
Robbie: I don’t think I’d have survived in the scrum in the ’80s, the game has evolved a lot. The emphasis is on the slowing down of the ruck, which has been a bit of a hindrance to my game this year.
Anthony: What do you think of calls for the scrum to be dispensed with?
Robbie: I’d like to see it stay part of the game. There are plenty of opportunities for set moves off the scrum and Tim Sheens works hard at that part of our game.
Tony: How do you think the growth of AFL will affect rugby league?
Robbie: I don’t think too much. Our game is the best product. Just look at the TV ratings.
Michael: Who’s the best player you’ve ever faced?
Robbie: If I was a coach and could buy any player, it would be Billy Slater.
INNER WEST BEST
Host: LeichhaTiger, 55 Norton St, Leichhardt;
Food: Woodfired ham and pineapple pizza.
ON THE MENU
Shopping strip: Balmain
Play place: Leichhardt Oval
Hiding place: My lounge room
Meeting place: LeichhaTiger
Iconic structure: Leichhardt Oval
Personality: Lote Tuqiri
Source: http://inner-west-courier.whereilive.com.au/news/story/top-cat-keeps-cool/
–
Pretty interesting article, a lot of us have bagged Robbie in the past for playing too much for himself and SOO honours but we have seen a change in him this year. He doesn't try and get involved all the time like he used to and lets Benji and Lui control the game a bit more and injects himself when needed. I think we'll see Robbie really start to fire up leading into and through the finals. Watch out!
