Farah at the end of the game

[TV Ted Ellery]

Anyone masochistic enough to stick it out to the bitter end as the players were walking off the field? Did you notice how exasperated Farah looked? That, in itself, wasn't remarkable given his competitive nature and the effort he put in during the game which amounted to nothing. But what stood out to me was a conversation Farah had with Beau in which he was gesticulating towards Marshall. He was visibly upset and Beau had to console him. Farah's reaction coupled with Farah's avoidance of passing to Marshall in the second half suggests he's on the same page as the fans regarding Marshall's form. We all know he has a lot of clout at the club so maybe he could dissuade humpty from signing Marshall to a long term deal. With our meagre finances it's not prudent to give a $4m contract to anyone, let alone a washed up 28 year old. Even more disastrous a consequence of keeping Marshall would be if it stalled the promotion of Brooks and Mosses or worse yet, it forced them elsewhere. I want to say it would put egg on the face of humpty but that bad pun trivialises how bad such an outcome would be.

 

[madunit]

Tigers are in a unique situation where the ball is essentially in their court regarding Benji.

Benji's form has been poor for quite a while, even at Test level.

If Benji went on the open market looking for 900k, I doubt any club would show any interest.

Tigers should see what the market is willing to pay for Benji before deciding upon any contract upgrades.

 

[Radical Rat]

Yeah I've never seen anything like last night. The last 20 minutes Robbie literally refusing to pass the ball to Benji. And rightly so I might add.

However it is very predictable when the opposition knows every play is coming from dummy half. In saying that, Robbie is so damn good that he still looked dangerous every play.

 

[madunit]

Robbie managed to get two repeat sets in that time with his play.

Something Benji can't do.

 

[Radical Rat]

I've always defended Benji in the past. But last night was indefensible. He doesn't want to be there. He never went looking for the ball. I would love to hear him explain what the hell he was doing last night.

 

[851]

I've always defended Benji in the past. But last night was indefensible. He doesn't want to be there. He never went looking for the ball. I would love to hear him explain what the hell he was doing last night.

I agree,if he gets a contract extension now Humpty needs to be sacked.

 

[FootynRacing]

Tigers are in a unique situation where the ball is essentially in their court regarding Benji.

Benji's form has been poor for quite a while, even at Test level.

If Benji went on the open market looking for 900k, I doubt any club would show any interest.

Tigers should see what the market is willing to pay for Benji before deciding upon any contract upgrades.

100% agree. I don't think we can keep using our forwards not doing a good enough job as an excuse for Benji's form because he doesn't perform any better when he is playing with the best forwards nz has to offer. This contract we keep hearing about is madness. Someone playing for a contract usually plays out of their skin, Benji just looks like he'd rather be somewhere else.
It took me a long time to accept the fact that Sheens was no longer our best option, I've reached that same point with Benji !!! If he takes up that chunk of our cap for the next 5 years I feel like we are destined to watch more games like last night for quite some time. It's depressing !!!

 

[innsaneink]

Humpty shouldve been punted a long time ago

Benji and Tauber have only ever played the jap rah rah card...the club should call their bluff, there'll be no takers...but Humpty seems cut from the same cloth as those in the ALP that money is no object so he'll sign him for what they want come the 21st or 22nd, despite us being skint

 

[benched tiger]

Anything government run usually ends up f**k**,so you do have wonder are the WT run by a Government body....lol

 

[Tiger05]

I've always defended Benji in the past. But last night was indefensible. He doesn't want to be there. He never went looking for the ball. I would love to hear him explain what the hell he was doing last night.

I think that game turned me off him completely. He just didn't try and get involved.

 

[madunit]

Is there any footage of Farah, post-match?

I recorded the replay but it cut away just as a very unhappy Farah was standing by himself, looking at the ground.

Farah looks like he gone past desperation & fustration & has got to the point where he looks mentally spent.

 

[Ron's_Mate]

I watched until just after the end of the game. Farah was down on one knee looking like he'd lost the grand final while the other players were all socialising with the opposition as they do these days.
This is his twitter account since last night.

robbie farah ‏@robbiefarah 18h So true “@Sports_Greats: BLOOD, SWEAT & RESPECT. First two you GIVE. Last one you EARN. -Dwayne Johnson”


robbie farah ‏@robbiefarah 4h
Thanks 2 all @Wests_Tigers fans 4 the continued support through these tough times.Must be hard to watch us but we need u now more then ever

 

[Dogs Of War]

Don't agree that Benji is washed up, but I do think both the club and player need to part ways if either are to improve.

 

[meltiger]

^ Could be right DOW. Benj has provided memories most on either side of the JV amongst the old timers like me, and even the new kids have probably never seen but something is up. But apart from the odd game, it's simply not happening anymore. Fit or not.

Change of club, and the challenge of having to earn the respect of new team mates may be what the boy needs

 

[BrotherJim05]

The real issue is that if Benji went to a new club I would be willing to bet he will snap back into his excellent form and we will all be going....f**k

 

[Magpies Forever]

The real issue is that if Benji went to a new club I would be willing to bet he will snap back into his excellent form and we will all be going....f**k

Crap. You play a player with potential / speculation cheap bucks. For huge salary you have to demand consistent results. We cannot be afraid of making the hard decisions based on form over a sustained period and not reputation. FFS even if he did fire more for them than us its one or two matches a year and we do know how he plays and can be limited. If the better teams now already know how surely we too can figure it out.

 

[Dogs Of War]

The real issue is that if Benji went to a new club I would be willing to bet he will snap back into his excellent form and we will all be going....f**k

The problem is, that I doubt he will snap into that form at your club. So your choices are to be happy with the performances he is delivering, or move on and hope you guys can find someone who can replace him. The money you save would go a long way to improving the rest of your squad. Siro isn't too bad, just need a half to complement him, and I'm not sure what forwards are available in the market, but trying to get a premier prop to complement what you have would go a long way to pushing you guys in the right direction.

 

[BrotherJim05]

The problem is, that I doubt he will snap into that form at your club. So your choices are to be happy with the performances he is delivering, or move on and hope you guys can find someone who can replace him. The money you save would go a long way to improving the rest of your squad. Siro isn't too bad, just need a half to complement him, and I'm not sure what forwards are available in the market, but trying to get a premier prop to complement what you have would go a long way to pushing you guys in the right direction.

Couldnt agree more. If we spent all the money from Blair, Benji and Anasta leaving on premier forwards, Siro and Brooks would shine in the halves. Manly gave Foran and Cherry a shot behind a strong pack and they excelled brilliantly.
That being said im a firm believer in second chances so I would not think about cutting benji untill he is given chance to get form back

 

[Magpies Forever]

Couldnt agree more. If we spent all the money from Blair, Benji and Anasta leaving on premier forwards, Siro and Brooks would shine in the halves. Manly gave Foran and Cherry a shot behind a strong pack and they excelled brilliantly.
That being said im a firm believer in second chances so I would not think about cutting benji untill he is given chance to get form back

Marshalls current contract goes till end of 2014 (I have also seen 2015 in a couple of lists so I'm not sure) but that is enough time to make decisions. We should not rush to re-sign him now, his form does not warrant it, nor does the price he is asking. If he wants to test the market next year fine, let him.

 

[moller]

I noticed the Farah/Ryan discussion, the former looked absolutely shattered and Beau was trying to cheer him up.

Benji and Blair walked down the tunnel together and copped pelters.