Wests Tigers star Robbie Farah dropped from NRL to reserve grade

[tigerman80]

I can't fathom any support for Taylor in this debacle.
Whether you like him personally or not Farah has played 247 games for this club, most as captain, and is a life member and a rarity in this day and age - a one club player.
He is also a current SOO player and has represented his country.
Taylor on the other hand is an under performing (never performing) coach with no allegiance to this club past his current contract - and will be out the door soon anyway.
I was always under the impression a coach moulded a team and improved and got the best from his players.
Can anyone illustrate this to be true of Taylor?
He has been gifted some of the best young players in our history and only Tedesco (a real freak), playing at the back, has managed to play consistently good.
His game plans have been all over the place, his emphasis on defence has us sitting as the 2nd worst defensive team (after nearly 2 years of his master plan) and his team selections (before this debacle) have had everyone scratching their heads in disbelief.
This makes me wonder why some hold such animosity towards Farah and stick up for a blow in coach with no great track record at NRL success or man management?
Could it be he's costing us so much of the cap?
If so it was the club who made the decision on his salary - the club you all support.
It is also well noted Farah's contract is backended because he took less earlier so we could retain other players.
Yet some people almost demand Farah just throw away a million dollars a year for 'the club' he loves.
I wonder how many asking him to do that would also be so accommodating if they were in the same boat.
Farah stated only a week ago he doubted he would be here next year so but would like to be associated with the club in the future - surely an opening for discussion there.
Could it be some people are choosing sides and STILL don't like the fact he came from the Balmain side of the venture and our illustrious coach once donned the black and white?
16 years on and you can still see it - you only have to look at the avatars or recall past comments from some of his biggest critics.
Could it be his ethnic heritage?
I'd hate to think this swayed some people but, unfortunately you can see it - even in some over the top comments regarding his manager.
In the end I am loyal to the club and have seen players come and go from my earliest memories of Rugby league in the early 60's.
I remember watching wonderful players from both our merged clubs.
Now I see a petty little man trying to destroy the last hurrah of this joint ventures greatest servant.
And some of you are soaking it up with glee…....

Well said, your spot on with everything. Farah was a pivotsl part of 2005, something we are unlikely to see again especially if THE IMPOSTER is still around. The club tried to force him out last year and it backfired. Why not sit downxwith Farah give him his 250 games, a farewell and tell him he is not part of our plans for next year. That he csn stick around but will play reserve grade. Not do it now with 7 games to go. Taylor and whoever above approved this, has just shown the rest of the playing group they dont give a crap about the players or have loyalty towards them.

 

[supercoach]

I can't fathom any support for Taylor in this debacle.
Whether you like him personally or not Farah has played 247 games for this club, most as captain, and is a life member and a rarity in this day and age - a one club player.
He is also a current SOO player and has represented his country.
Taylor on the other hand is an under performing (never performing) coach with no allegiance to this club past his current contract - and will be out the door soon anyway.
I was always under the impression a coach moulded a team and improved and got the best from his players.
Can anyone illustrate this to be true of Taylor?
He has been gifted some of the best young players in our history and only Tedesco (a real freak), playing at the back, has managed to play consistently good.
His game plans have been all over the place, his emphasis on defence has us sitting as the 2nd worst defensive team (after nearly 2 years of his master plan) and his team selections (before this debacle) have had everyone scratching their heads in disbelief.
This makes me wonder why some hold such animosity towards Farah and stick up for a blow in coach with no great track record at NRL success or man management?
Could it be he's costing us so much of the cap?
If so it was the club who made the decision on his salary - the club you all support.
It is also well noted Farah's contract is backended because he took less earlier so we could retain other players.
Yet some people almost demand Farah just throw away a million dollars a year for 'the club' he loves.
I wonder how many asking him to do that would also be so accommodating if they were in the same boat.
Farah stated only a week ago he doubted he would be here next year so but would like to be associated with the club in the future - surely an opening for discussion there.
Could it be some people are choosing sides and STILL don't like the fact he came from the Balmain side of the venture and our illustrious coach once donned the black and white?
16 years on and you can still see it - you only have to look at the avatars or recall past comments from some of his biggest critics.
Could it be his ethnic heritage?
I'd hate to think this swayed some people but, unfortunately you can see it - even in some over the top comments regarding his manager.
In the end I am loyal to the club and have seen players come and go from my earliest memories of Rugby league in the early 60's.
I remember watching wonderful players from both our merged clubs.
Now I see a petty little man trying to destroy the last hurrah of this joint ventures greatest servant.
And some of you are soaking it up with glee…....

I will go on record and say I have been behind Taylor for most of his time in tigertown. Have not always agreed with his selections, but for the most part I have agreed with what he wants to achieve and how he has gone about it.

BUT….this one I am totally against it and just do not see any justification for the call or any logic

 

[stevetiger]

Its a big call by JT and if it doesn't pay off, he will be out of a job. You have to at least respect him for putting his jatz crackers on the line like this

If anything I have lost even more respect for the guy. I wouldn't handle the situation like he has.

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

I know I posted a smartarse GIF before but this raises more questions than it answers for mine which troubles me given our precarious position on the ladder.

Given that JT made an attempt to move Farah on last year that was kyboshed by the board and CEO. The club responded by appointing a middle man between the coach and board to oversee football operations. We've heard from different sources that Taylor no longer makes team selections on his own, and O'Neill is alleged to be one of those whom have a say. We've heard from a supposed insider that it's a power move in order to retain ET and we've heard the usual innuendo about JT and Farah's tenuous relationship reappear in the media. These are the questions that rise from this scenario IMO:

- Why now does JT make this selection decision to stand down Farah and receive support from those above him after being emasculated for attempting to move him on last year?

- What are now the catalysts that see this as being considered a move worthy of support?

- Who are the key powerbrokers in the club now? To be picked on the bench one day and then rissoled the next, I get the feeling that JT is being utilised as a hatchet man with little freedom in the decision making.

- Most importantly, how will the rest of the team respond?

I will say that I have had my piece to say regularly over this whole sorry affair between JT and Farah and have maintained my position that JT is the coach and should have full autonomy over his selections. If he deems Farah to be surplus to requirements that is his decision and it is what the club employs him for. That being said, it is pretty clear that the dynamic of Farah coming off the bench is working rather well of late and sees us far more competitive in games. If dropping Farah for puerile reasons such as a personality clash is the catalyst for this rather than performances it is a poor indictment on the coach and club. Given that JT has been previously shackled and unable to make these sorts of decisions in the past where he probably would have liked to have had Farah away from first grade leads me to believe that there's someone higher up overseeing the power play. JT has had all this time to drop Farah and has not until now.

I've always said that a coach should be able to run the team as they see fit. I have never supported players interfering in the football operations of a club. What this current scenario does suggest is that JT once again has no freedom to run the team the way he wants, not because of player power this time, rather that he could well now be beholden to those above him. If this proves to be true, this is a poor outcome not just because it is a perceived poor treatment of a club stalwart, but also poor treatment of a coach which may further detract any coaches of quality being attracted to the club in the future.

To quote the Bard: Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.

 

[cqtiger]

In the end, if this is the kick up the bum that Robbie needs to leave this place freeing up the cash to re-sign ET then i'm all for it.

But then again if we hadn't re-signed so many squaddies so quickly then we may have had enough cash to re-sign Taylor as is… Sirro, Brooks and Moses all taking up their options is as much behind this decision as Farah's ability to play to a gameplan.

BB again we are paying the price for previous management's poor decision-making. Sirro, Brooks & Moses only took up the option that were in THEIR favour.

Robbie is in much the same mess from the previous mob. It's not his fault that he was offered a hugely back ended contract because he took less money a few years earlier to keep some of his mates at the club. These back-ended deals always hit you at the end because it now stops current or new players from signing to strengthen the roster.

I believe that I read something earlier that we are no longer back-ending contracts. That may have come from the NRL.

I am sure that all this hysteria would not be happening if Robbie was on a $500k contract this year and last.

 

[Gary_Bakerloo]

Literally every question is put to JT in this press conference, from team strategy to the timing of the team announcement:

http://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2016/07/21/press_conference_jas.html

 

[Gary_Bakerloo]

Why not sit downxwith Farah give him his 250 games, a farewell and tell him he is not part of our plans for next year. That he csn stick around but will play reserve grade. Not do it now with 7 games to go. Taylor and whoever above approved this, has just shown the rest of the playing group they dont give a crap about the players or have loyalty towards them.

JT was asked about the milestone and his response was, "no individual milestone is bigger than the team."

 

[underdog]

Never been prouder of our coach.

Not even kidding.

 

[goldcoast_tiger]

Great result. Farah will be gone next year and if it's costs Taylor his job due to results this season it's a win win. Clearly to coach in 2017

Great result???
We are still a slight( Very Slight) chance of getting in the Eight,
So our D/head coach drops one of our best players, and without a doubt, out best dummy halfs,
Before a game that could keep us in sight of the 8
This has nothing to do with players form .
It's about trying to force Farah out. To get his hands on some of the money that goes to his contract. Obviously Taylors given up on this year, otherwise he'd be putting our best players on the field.
From all reports , Farah is fine about coming of the bench, and it was probably the one good thing that the moron coach has done, that has worked out ok.
I hope the crowd shows their feelings on the weekend
This club has reached the bottom .
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I hopeFarah digs his heels in and has a blinder in the reserves, and embarrasses Taylor
No end.

 

[tigerman80]

Why not sit downxwith Farah give him his 250 games, a farewell and tell him he is not part of our plans for next year. That he csn stick around but will play reserve grade. Not do it now with 7 games to go. Taylor and whoever above approved this, has just shown the rest of the playing group they dont give a crap about the players or have loyalty towards them.

JT was asked about the milestone and his response was, "no individual milestone is bigger than the team."

And i agree no individual is bigger than the team. But Farah is contracted next year. If i was Farah i would stick around another just to shove it in THE IMPOSTERS face. My point is the only way to get Farah to go to England next year is to get him onside not offside, have a plan for him to come back and be involved with the club. Look at how Penrith handled the Soward situation. Soward will be back coaching at Penrith when he is done in England. Absolutely pathetic situation, no idea how to do run a club or team.

 

[TigerSJ]

I have really tried to look at both sides of this mess and way them up, however I don't believe the argument that we are a better team without Farah - we may have won some early games without him and lost some when he was in the side, but that has evened up in more recent weeks and the contrary has been true - we have looked better with him off the bench and in fact he has made a difference when playing. The options JT has played without RF have been less than workable.

Those on here saying we almost beat the dogs are dreaming IMO - as I have previously written in the relevant post, they had our measure and rolled through us when they needed to, we scored 3 tries to their 6 (an they could have scored 10) - take another look, the scoreboard flattered us.

Furthermore, the timing of this announcement is incredible - I can't believe that this club could think of any better way to sabotage whatever hopes we might have had for this season. The perfect way to create an even bigger split amongst the sponsors, members, fans and players.

Whatever you think of RF this is not the way our club should handle this matter. He deserves his 250 game milestone at WTs - lets give him that this year and then work with him to find a place elsewhere in 2017.

I am very keen to see what happens over the next few games and how this all unfolds. JT could well find himself a casualty of this move. I'm starting to think that they both need to go if we are any chance next year.

 

[Love_the_WestsTigers]

Im sorry but JT is so FOS
He says he is doing things things to improve the team and making changes

Mate, what about the RHS Defense, just turn a blind eye to it ?
what about playing Rankin over JAC ?
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Im sorry JT, this is a personal attack to let Robbie who is incharge

If you were putting the team interest first you'd address the defensive issues and team selections first

Robbie makes a lot of tackles too, cant say he was ineffective there..

 

[Telltails]

Wayne Bennett dropped W Lewis to end his career. Bennett terrible coach???
Warren Ryan punted Turvey Mortimer…awful coach think he coached 2 premierships??
Mick Hagan punted Matty John's...premiership winning coach with obviously no idea.
JT has to be admired for his stance in my view

Bennett also punted Langer.

And Gene Miles ,Trevor Gillmeister , Darren Smith

You punt players when you replace them with better ones - how does that equate to our team on Sunday.
And the above mentioned were they punted halfway through a contract with 900 a year - I think not.

Also let Lazarus go too.

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

What does typing in upper case achieve, apart from accentuating your childishness?

 

[happy_tiger]

Im sorry but JT is so FOS
He says he is doing things things to improve the team and making changes

Mate, what about the RHS Defense, just turn a blind eye to it ?
what about playing Rankin over JAC ?
\
\
Im sorry JT, this is a personal attack to let Robbie who is incharge

If you were putting the team interest first you'd address the defensive issues and team selections first

Robbie makes a lot of tackles too, cant say he was ineffective there..

Sorry but most can see Robbie future is extremely limited , whereas ET has a fair few years left

Again when you play with fire like Robbie has you risk getting burnt

 

[cqtiger]

What does typing in upper case achieve, apart from accentuating your childishness?

Sorry mate, it was only one word that I was trying to emphasise.

It won't happen again.

 

[PerthBalmainTiger]

Hey everyone only just joined today from WA!! Not had a chance to go through everyones comments but im with taylor and the club on this. Farah is a legend but all legends pass

 

[Sco77y]

Good to read that latest article - answers all my quesions and was much needed by fans to see his reasoning behind the decision. A day too late, but I'm glad we've been kept informed nonetheless. It makes sense and I totally agree if it's best for the team, but one thing I really can't understand is how Farah can't stick to the simple gameplay being suggested by JT. Surely he's capable of simplifying his game, but maybe he really is that set in his ways that he's unable to? Another thing regarding the timing also is that we don't really have a suitable replacement.. Apart from that I'm keen for these changes. I think JT was really pinning his hopes on Ballin to progress into this role, but unfortunately that has backfired with his injury.

 

[gallagher]

Why not sit downxwith Farah give him his 250 games, a farewell and tell him he is not part of our plans for next year. That he csn stick around but will play reserve grade. Not do it now with 7 games to go. Taylor and whoever above approved this, has just shown the rest of the playing group they dont give a crap about the players or have loyalty towards them.

JT was asked about the milestone and his response was, "no individual milestone is bigger than the team."

And i agree no individual is bigger than the team. But Farah is contracted next year. If i was Farah i would stick around another just to shove it in THE IMPOSTERS face. My point is the only way to get Farah to go to England next year is to get him onside not offside, have a plan for him to come back and be involved with the club. Look at how Penrith handled the Soward situation. Soward will be back coaching at Penrith when he is done in England. Absolutely pathetic situation, no idea how to do run a club or team.

I think they tried that last year, they even went to ayoub to see how to best handle the situation. But all they got was a child like response.
He isn't going to go anywhere by his own doing so we have him a push. It had to be done, otherwise he'd be still here next year.
It should have been done last year.

 

[tigerman80]

Why not sit downxwith Farah give him his 250 games, a farewell and tell him he is not part of our plans for next year. That he csn stick around but will play reserve grade. Not do it now with 7 games to go. Taylor and whoever above approved this, has just shown the rest of the playing group they dont give a crap about the players or have loyalty towards them.

JT was asked about the milestone and his response was, "no individual milestone is bigger than the team."

And i agree no individual is bigger than the team. But Farah is contracted next year. If i was Farah i would stick around another just to shove it in THE IMPOSTERS face. My point is the only way to get Farah to go to England next year is to get him onside not offside, have a plan for him to come back and be involved with the club. Look at how Penrith handled the Soward situation. Soward will be back coaching at Penrith when he is done in England. Absolutely pathetic situation, no idea how to do run a club or team.

I think they tried that last year, they even went to ayoub to see how to best handle the situation. But all they got was a child like response.
He isn't going to go anywhere by his own doing so we have him a push. It had to be done, otherwise he'd be still here next year.
It should have been done last year.

In what round did they try it last year?? When every club had there full roster and no money to spend. Handled badly last year, handled badly this year, when will they learn.