Wests Tigers hooker Robbie Farah looks certain to head to the Bulldogs after the final year of his contract with the 2005 premiers expires next year. With the anti-tampering deadline set to be officially scrapped in the near future, players will be free to negotiate with other teams whenever they want.
But according to sources within the club, Farah has already become a high priority for the Belmore-based club for season 2008 and beyond. And Farah is an unashamed fan. Admitting he was looking to secure his future in the coming weeks, Farah told Big League the Bulldogs was a club he would heavily consider.
"The Bulldogs have one of the best packs in the competition and Sonny Bill and Willie Mason are tied there long term so obviously I'd love to play with them," Farah told Big League. "If they are seriously interested, I'd think about it but I'd ensure the Tigers had last right of reply whenever I looked at a deal."
The City Origin hooker is hoping to have his future sorted out sooner rather than later and with the Tigers' season finishing up after Round 26, the time is right for him to finalise his future. "Whenever there is interest you owe it to yourself to consider it," the 22-year-old said.
"With the anti-tampering deadline gone, every player needs to look after their future the best they can, and now you can do that earlier on. "Whatever my future holds I can get it over and done with this off-season. Whether I'm moving on or staying, I can get it out of the way and then concentrate on playing through the season." That's a positive to come out of the anti-tampering change."
But the Tigers have warned other clubs to stay away from their star rake, claiming anyone who approaches Farah would still be in breach of the anti-tampering laws. "You can tell any other club that until the anti-tampering deadline is officially scrapped, Robbie is off limits until June 30 next year, so they better watch their backsides," Tigers recruitment manager Warren McDonnell said. "We are obviously very keen to keep him and will be sitting down with him as soon as possible to come up with an extension on his current deal."
If Farah does choose to leave, the Tigers are blessed with two up-and-coming number nines who could fill the breach. "The club has some great juniors coming through including hookers like Stuart Flanagan and Isaac De Gois, so if I stay they might be disappointed but if I move on they could easily become regular first graders," Farah offers.
