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IN a season of rotten results and bad luck, Robbie Farah feared the ultimate jinx had been saved for last.
Less than eighty minutes short of becoming the most capped player in Wests Tigers history, the skipper dislocated his knuckle just a day after he even realised the honour was looming.
“To be honest, I probably jinxed myself with that injury,” Farah said.
"On the night before we played Gold Coast (in round 21), I was getting some physio and we spoke about equalling Chris Heighington’s record of 201 games against the Titans.
“I was talking about going past him the next week and then I did the injury.”
Wests Tigers skipper Robbie Farah says finishing outside the top eight again next season will be unacceptable. Picture: Gregg Porteous
The bizarre complaint threatened to leave Farah stranded until next season, but determined work to strengthen his grip with squeeze balls and mini players will ensure the record his broken against South Sydney at Allianz Stadium tomorrow night.
For a local junior who began with the Tigers on a $1,000 salary in 2003, Farah still has to pinch himself about being etched into the joint venture’s folklore.
“Even little things like when I go out and people come up to me, you still find it a bit surprising because we’re just normal blokes,” he said.
“I still remember watching footy and State of Origin as a kid and you never imagine that might be you one day.”
Wests Tigers captain Robbie Farah. Picture: Cameron Richardson
Farah also didn’t imagine that he’d surpass Heighington so soon.
The hardworking lock had another year at Concord when he was told to look elsewhere 12 months ago, rendering Farah’s achievement a “bittersweet” moment.
“I would much prefer that Heighno had the chance to finish his career with us, rather than be breaking this record now,” Farah said.
"I always thought that would happen and that the record would probably be 250 games, so it’s come much sooner than I expected.
Robbie Farah and his Tigers teammates look on after a Knights try. Picture: Gregg Porteous
“We’ve pretty much moved on from all that, but it was disappointing at the time and that makes it a little bit bittersweet.”
Farah committed to the Tigers for life in March, agreeing to a four-year extension that was left unsigned until two weeks ago.
Ironically, Souths were one of the clubs chasing his services but Farah did not entertain rival offers because he never wanted to finish-up elsewhere.
Eyeing his 30th birthday next January, Farah is also beginning to think about life after football and revealed sports administration was attractive.
He completed an Economics degree two years ago and also led NRL players in their negotiations for improved conditions in the new collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
“Sometimes with footy players, they want the world but they aren’t prepared to do anything for it,” he said.
"As a senior player, I saw it as my responsibility to take some ownership and work hard for a new CBA.
“I do enjoy the administration side of things.”
Farah also keeps a close watch on the fragile relationship in his club’s boardroom, which is severely fractured between the Wests and Balmain factions.
While the constant boardroom infighting is rarely discussed in the locker room, Farah said it was impossible to ignore.
“It’s got to the stage where something needs to be done about our boardroom structure, because to be successful we need everyone pulling in the same direction,” he said.
"I wouldn’t say it’s distracting, but you certainly can’t ignore it when it’s always in the newspapers and fans on the street are asking the players what’s going on.
“I do speak to the CEO and board members about things. They keep me informed about what’s going on.”
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You can’t help but have such respect for the guy. Deserves to be the most capped Tiger!
An economics degree? Certainly a switched on bloke.
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“It’s got to the stage where something needs to be done about our boardroom structure, because to be successful we need everyone pulling in the same direction,” he said.
Finally
It wasnt until players began to be subtley critical of sheens was something done with that problem.
Hopefully the ball starts rolling re: the board.
Great captain….#1 in the club, hes not perfect but he’s an inspiration
Congrats Robbie! -
Love him!!!
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What a great leader he is and his at the the best club in the world hope we get a win 2moro.
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You can’t help but have such respect for the guy. Deserves to be the most capped Tiger!
An economics degree? Certainly a switched on bloke.
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At USyd no less, great university for a great guy.
I definitely think he could go into the management aspect within the NRL, maybe even a coach although thats pretty hard to gauge from the outside.
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Love to see him look after players after he stops playing. Not as a manager but as an advocate
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Could definitely see him pursuing a coaching role, similar to what payten has done.
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