Wests Tigers sign Robbie Farah for 2018 Official

[bp_tiger]

lets face it JT would drive u to say just about anything, the bloke was a moron.

 

[Masterton]

Geez the way some are carrying on….he is coming and it will only be for half a year .

Not having a go at you, forevatiger, but I find it hard to believe he wouldn't be pushing for another season if he gets us to the semis. And deservedly so.

 

[Nelson]

Some would say the reason why Potter hasn’t gotten another gig was because he was sabotaged by Farah. Plus, like Taylor he had no cap to spend on anybody. Between those two hurdles, what chance did he have?

Yeah once you've been spiked as a coach, particularly early in your career, it can be very hard to get another look in regardless of your ability. Not many roles come up and when they do there are often a lot of options available. Right now for any given position that came up he'd have to compete with the likes of Hasler, McGuire, possibly Bennett and then beyond them the assistant coaches at any club recruiting. His circumstances don't say much about his coaching ability, which may or may not be good. I'm certainly not going to think he's a rubbish coach just because Robbie Farah didn't like him.

JT has been head coach at 3 different clubs, if he was any good ( and he is not ) he would still be coaching in the NRL, he through his own poor people skills, stubbornness, ego and poor team selections is exactly where he should be, away from here and not head coach.

I was talking about Mick Potter. I think there is probably enough evidence out there that Jason Taylor is lacking in some aspects of coaching…

 

[foreveratiger]

Geez the way some are carrying on….he is coming and it will only be for half a year .

Not having a go at you, forevatiger, but I find it hard to believe he wouldn't be pushing for another season if he gets us to the semis. And deservedly so.

Your not having a go at me with that post.

I don't think that would be in Ivan's plans , Robbie would have to play out of his skin every game and make a major contribution to the teams performances to Warrant being signed on for next year .
Robbie would have to be realistic and maybe play for no more than $150k for 2019 i reckon but can't see it happening past this year.
I think the plan would be to let Liddle build up his minutes in Reserve Grade and get confidence back in his game.

I'm confident that with Mbye and Farah we will be playing Semi Final footy.

 

[Masterton]

I have misgivings about having Robbie back, but there's little doubt we are a better chance of making the semis than we were 3 weeks ago.

 

[Tweed_Tiger]

Cleary wont let it get out of hand.

Ivan was clear again today in the coaching insider that Liddle is the future.

So if it does happen it will be good cover for Liddle until he can get his body right and that might take until he gets a full preseason in him.

If it doesn't work out Ivan will just flick him and there wont be any push back from the supporter base maybe some die hard Robbie fans. But the majority wont care.

I would imagine the contract would have some conditions. Ivan isn't a pushover and if he thinks Robbies head is in the right place and it adds to our squad I am sure he would consider it.

 

[fibrodreaming]

Geez the way some are carrying on….he is coming and it will only be for half a year .

Yeah he acted stupidly at the time but he felt a need to do so for the falling outs he had in the football office, he was sticking to his rights of the Contract that he had .

If we agree or disagree on him coming back is irrelevant as we have issues in our hooking area and he will clean up the ruck with 30-40 tackles a game give him his chance just like Benji was given.

I enjoyed the way you air-brushed history in the second paragraph forever - a nicely sanitised version of events.

I am inclined to agree with your last paragraph though. Robbie for the back half of season would be an improvement. I'm just not sure we should go down that path.

 

[newtiger]

It is what it is.

All you can do is get behind the players and the team.

At last some common sense, whatever Ivan decides to go with should have the backing of the club supporters and forum members.
Well said Gall.

 

[bigsiro]

Side Note:
I last checked this vote when there were about 150 votes.
At that stage it was about 65/35 Against.
Now after 250 votes it is just over 50% For.

Don't know if it means anything - just thought it was interesting….

 

[joelw2002]

Side Note:
I last checked this vote when there were about 150 votes.
At that stage it was about 65/35 Against.
Now after 250 votes it is just over 50% For.

Don't know if it means anything - just thought it was interesting….

Because it's out in the media now people have to agree with it.

 

[foreveratiger]

Geez the way some are carrying on….he is coming and it will only be for half a year .

Yeah he acted stupidly at the time but he felt a need to do so for the falling outs he had in the football office, he was sticking to his rights of the Contract that he had .

If we agree or disagree on him coming back is irrelevant as we have issues in our hooking area and he will clean up the ruck with 30-40 tackles a game give him his chance just like Benji was given.

I enjoyed the way you air-brushed history in the second paragraph forever - a nicely sanitised version of events.

I am inclined to agree with your last paragraph though. Robbie for the back half of season would be an improvement. I'm just not sure we should go down that path.

Didn't brush anything away just saying it how it is , Farah ain't a saint and conducted himself very poorly on many fronts .

I'm solely looking at it what value he will bring to our squad for the rest of the year and think that his presence from dummy half might get us over the line for semi final footy .

 

[Byron_Bay_Fan]

Side Note:
I last checked this vote when there were about 150 votes.
At that stage it was about 65/35 Against.
Now after 250 votes it is just over 50% For.

Don't know if it means anything - just thought it was interesting….

I was most upset as someone was awarded with the queerest analogy prize in spite of some my real gems getting deleted. I would compare this poll with the gay marriage poll - years ago everyone was against then it turned into a landslide in the opposite direction. Like if the Earth reversing it's orbit.

Seriously other fans just seen the light - we want to win games and we needed help, so we take a walk on the wild side.

 

[NT_Tiger]

Side Note:
I last checked this vote when there were about 150 votes.
At that stage it was about 65/35 Against.
Now after 250 votes it is just over 50% For.

Don't know if it means anything - just thought it was interesting….

Because it's out in the media now people have to agree with it.

It swayed some, I'm still a resolute No. But then again, little in the media sways me these days.

 

[colmcd]

100% bring Farah back.

Hookers are a premium now.
No one else would be up for a 6 month contract.
Taylor isn't working.
Reynolds needs prep in the position.
Liddle seems to be out injured. Hope the guy can perform, but he has had 2x shoulder reconstructions….. I honestly don't know, he needs time to heel.
Marshall is out injured.

Farah can do the job. He won't be Captain, he can just be hooker. It's either Farah, or Mcillwick. I like Mcillwick, but even Farah has a better passing game on him.
Farah is the better option and the option that will give us a chance at the 8.

 

[Byron_Bay_Fan]

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/back-on-the-leichhardt-scoreboard-farah-eyes-perfect-tigers-homecoming-20180616-p4zlvi.html

A few hours ago in the SMH Cleary seems to know about it and not dismissing it at all. Saying it worked with Benji and he will continue doing it??? wow

 

[Byron_Bay_Fan]

Back on the Leichhardt scoreboard: Farah eyes perfect Tigers homecoming
By Adrian Proszenko
16 June 2018 — 4:13pm

Leichhardt Oval will be the location for Robbie Farah’s first game back if he returns to Wests Tigers in what would be an emotional homecoming for the former skipper.

The Tigers were so desperate to get rid of Farah just 18 months ago that they paid $750,000 just to get him off the books. However, coach Ivan Cleary is genuine about bringing Farah back, with a final call likely to be made at a Tigers board meeting on Monday night.

Emotional scenes: Robbie Farah is mobbed by fans following his appearance in a NSW Cup clash at Leichhardt in 2016\. It was the beginning of the end for Farah at the Tigers.
Emotional scenes: Robbie Farah is mobbed by fans following his appearance in a NSW Cup clash at Leichhardt in 2016\. It was the beginning of the end for Farah at the Tigers.

Farah and Cleary first spoke about the prospect of a Tigers return six months ago, the talks intensifying in recent weeks as the June 30 transfer deadline approached. While Cleary has never coached the Rabbitohs hooker, the pair have a relationship from their brief time together as coach and player for the Lebanon national side.

The Tigers view Jacob Liddle as the club’s long-term dummy half. However, a series of injuries – Liddle has already undergone two shoulder reconstructions – have prevented the 21-year-old from cementing a first-grade position. With one spot still remaining in his top-30 roster and with his team struggling without a top-class hooker, Cleary is keen to add Farah to a new-look spine that would also include Bulldogs mid-season signing Moses Mbye.

If Farah was to return to Concord, it would only be for the remainder of the season. Given there is no NRL played next weekend due to the representative round, his first assignment would be against the Titans at his beloved Leichhardt Oval. With the game scheduled on a Sunday, a sellout crowd would be guaranteed for what would be one of the biggest events in the oval's recent history.

Last drinks: Robbie Farah is interviewed on the Leichhardt Oval scoreboard by Fox Sports Emma Lawrence journalist following his farewell from the Tigers in 2016.
Last drinks: Robbie Farah is interviewed on the Leichhardt Oval scoreboard by Fox Sports Emma Lawrence journalist following his farewell from the Tigers in 2016.

Photo: Supplied
Farah was reduced to spectator status when farewelling Leichhardt in 2016\. After watching the Tigers suffer a demoralising loss to Canberra that robbed them of a finals place, the former NSW rake downed a beer while sitting on the Leichhardt Oval scoreboard. Now he could be back in action for the Tigers, who also have a round 23 clash at the picturesque ground against the Dragons.

There is some resistance to Farah’s return to the Tigers, due to his acrimonious departure. While it is likely his transfer would receive the boardroom support required, Cleary did not want to discuss the matter until it was resolved.

“We’re not going to discuss publicly any form of speculation around transfers and the June 30 deadline,” Cleary said.

“I’ve got a spot to fill and we’re always looking to improve our roster. There have been numerous discussions in-house about possibilities. The reality of our game is this period, the intensity around speculation and possibility of transfers [is intense].

“In fairness to all concerned, it’s very sensitive and we’re not going to discuss anything unless we have something to confirm.”

Getting the band back together: Robbie Farah and Benji Marshall in 2012.
Getting the band back together: Robbie Farah and Benji Marshall in 2012.
The successful return of Benji Marshall to club is proof that, under the right circumstances, it is possible to welcome a favourite son back into the fold. Farah’s departure was much messier after he fell out with former coach Jason Taylor, but with Taylor gone there is the opportunity for Marshall and Farah to finish their careers together on a high.

Asked if Farah’s return could provide a similar boost to that of prodigal son Marshall, Cleary said: “Benji has definitely been a positive addition to our club. We have made some changes to the Wests Tigers and we’re very conscious of respecting the past and it’s been great to have Benji as a past player. Not just as a past player, but a hugely popular and influential player on and off the field.

“To have him come back has proven to be a really good boost. Benji has really enjoyed it and as a club as well we want to bring past players back into the fold as much as we can. That’s obviously off the field as well.

“That’s what we’re trying to do as a club. That’s what we will continue to do.”
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/back-on-the-leichhardt-scoreboard-farah-eyes-perfect-tigers-homecoming-20180616-p4zlvi.html

 

[TonyTiger]

Farah still has the skills and a great kicking game close to the line but how many hookers do we want?
With so many short arses running around we could become Limbo champions … anyhow I support whatever Ivan thinks.

 

[Spud_Murphy]

Wow Benji and now Farah back at the Tigers! How surreal, never thought it would ever happen and not even sure if I wanted it to, but if (and it's a big if) they can help us to get to the finals this season, then I'm all for both of them being back here.

Farah, even in his twilight years, is streets ahead of anyone (bar Liddle) that we've had playing dummy half this season. If we make the 8 maybe he and Benji can make up for that cock up 5th tackle option they took late in the game against the Warriors in the 2011 semi - happened right in front of me and still haunts me to this day! Kick it long, kick - it - loooong!!!

 

[Tim Sheens]

No he hasn't - he's spot on.

Short memories,Potter can not coach the team can make the 8 then the DUMMY SPITTER decided to trash the season …Happy !some have very short memories, this was the second coach the TURD had booted a very humble man and had the team performing. It will be a sad day when this grub puts a Tigers jersey on again .

Nice guy Potter but being a nice guy doesn't mean you are a good NRL coach. Neither Potter or Tayler have NRL roles which is strongly suggestive of what the other clubs think of their NRL coaching skills.

Farrah made that comment to Tallis in confidence. The slime Tallis aired the comment.

The fullness of time has shown that Farrahs opinion of Potter was to some degree right as no one has picked him up as coach and clubs preferred unknowns like Barrett over potter.

Formerly known as Tiger Come Lately?

 

[Tim Sheens]

It is what it is.

All you can do is get behind the players and the team.

At last some common sense, whatever Ivan decides to go with should have the backing of the club supporters and forum members.
Well said Gall.

I will support him as part of the team if signed, but that is the extent of it and only if he shows some remorse, with no individual support, as he lost that right long ago.