Robbie Farah keen to stay one-team man

[Bulldog Force]

Source: http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/sport/nrl/story/0,26799,24804678-5006066,00.html

Robbie Farah keen to stay one-team man

ROBBIE Farah says the chance to remain a one-club player will weigh heavily on his mind when deciding whether to remain at Wests Tigers.

Farah looked at ease around his teammates yesterday as he watched the likes of Chris Lawrence and Chris Heighington face former Sri Lankan Test star and new Tigers fan, Russel Arnold, at Concord.

But the 24-year-old Farah, who has the Tigers and Gold Coast Titans in a tug of war for his signature, said the contract talks had caused him plenty of sleepless nights in recent weeks.

"I've never been in this situation before and it's all new to me. All I know is it's something I'm not going to rush," Farah said.

"It's been stressful actually because it's a decision that will affect me for the next three or four years.

"When I first started playing first grade I always said I wanted to be at the one club my whole career, which is rare these days.

"And it will definitely be a bonus if I do decide to stay at the Tigers.

"But this isn't something I want to rush into. I'm not sure if a decision will be made by Christmas."

Farah is close with a lot of the players and has his family based in Sydney, other factors likely to come into consideration. Meanwhile, a trial set down for the Tigers against the Titans on February 28 in Lismore has been cancelled.

 

[Bulldog Force]

Source: http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,24804458-23214,00.html?from=public_rss

Christmas family get together may decide Robbie Farah's fate

By Laine Clark
December 15, 2008 CHRISTMAS is a special time for family man Robbie Farah but it may take on extra significance for the in-demand Wests Tigers rake this year.
Gold Coast chief executive Michael Searle said the Titans would not table a formal offer to the off contract, Sydney-based hooker until they know he was genuinely interested in relocating to the tourist strip - and the Farah family Christmas may yet decide his fate.

"We have always said if he wanted to spend some time over Christmas with his family and discuss it at length," Searle said.

"And if he wants to make that decision at Christmas that he wants to consider moving I will be on the first plane down there (Sydney) to meet him and his family.

"But if his decision is that he wants to stay at the Tigers we will respect that as well."

While the Wests Tigers are expected to table an offer to Farah this week, Searle said the Titans had not given the hooker a deadline.

"We are not going to put a timeline on the kid," he said.

"I have great respect for him being so devoted to his family. We would never try and impose an unreasonable time in him making a decision.

"The only thing we have said is we will table a formal offer to Robbie once his family is comfortable that he wants to relocate."

Farah's contract runs out at the end of 2009 but he wants to make a decision on 2010 and beyond before the next season starts, and has already been to the Gold Coast to meet Titans management.

Being a one club player would appeal to the fiercely loyal Farah.

But Searle believes the transformation of former Wests Tigers teammates Scott Prince and Anthony Laffranchi into regular internationals at the Gold Coast would make a trip north very tempting for Farah.

"I think he takes comfort from the fact that Laffranchi and Prince have continued to climb at a great rate by coming here," Searle said.

"Laffranchi realistically probably wasn't at that (representative) level when he first came up here.

"But he has continued to improve and I think that is something that Robbie will take some comfort out of.

"The bad old days are over when you come to the Gold Coast and your rep career is over - we have seen more rep careers start here than end here, that should give him some confidence."

 

[hybrid_tiger]

"Laffranchi realistically probably wasn't at that (representative) level when he first came up here."

Bullsh1t. F**k you Searle.

 

[Bulldog Force]

Bullsh1t. F**k you Searle.

The Titans are absolutely criminal.

 

[aids]

grandfinal victory with tigers.
representative failure with titans.

 

[Magpies Forever]

We have to consider something though- WT under Sheens have been a dismal failure in getting Australian qualified players into the national and state squads- he has been more successful with Kiwi qualified players (although lower numbers of suitable players certainly helps to qualify that statement). Gold Coast have been much more successful in the field of getting players to the next Australian level than Sheen's WT's.

I'm sure that must figure in Farahs thinking. He would be mad if he didnt want to go to the next level and the question is - can a WT side coached by Sheens deliver that? My gut feeling is no. Can it be delivered by anyone else at WT's- I dont know.

I think WT have an image problem (or something) with selectors and the rugby league heirarchy- some of the state and national team selections in the past have left me puzzled in the omission of WT players. There was the time Prince could not get a look in, Heighington does not seem to ever get mentioned, Farahs omission- just to name a few that come to mind quickly.

 

[westie]

Bullsh1t. F**k you Searle.

f**k you Sheens more like it. He admitted he let him go when he could have signed him.

 

[Bulldog Force]

We have to consider something though- WT under Sheens have been a dismal failure in getting Australian qualified players into the national and state squads- he has been more successful with Kiwi qualified players (although lower numbers of suitable players certainly helps to qualify that statement). Gold Coast have been much more successful in the field of getting players to the next Australian level than Sheen's WT's.

I'm sure that must figure in Farahs thinking. He would be mad if he didnt want to go to the next level and the question is - can a WT side coached by Sheens deliver that? My gut feeling is no. Can it be delivered by anyone else at WT's- I dont know.

I think WT have an image problem (or something) with selectors and the rugby league heirarchy- some of the state and national team selections in the past have left me puzzled in the omission of WT players. There was the time Prince could not get a look in, Heighington does not seem to ever get mentioned, Farahs omission- just to name a few that come to mind quickly.

Why? He's going to make NSW origin side and no matter who he's coached under, he won't take over Cameron Smith as Australian hooker - only if Cameron is injured (seeing he's the next Australian Skipper).

 

[Magpies Forever]

I dont think he can take it for granted he will be the next NSW hooker- especially whilst at WT's- the selectors have managed to ignore other WT players no matter how strong their claims- they have managed to find someone else from other teams many other times.

All I am saying is that it cannot be guaranteed he will be the next NSW hooker (I am not aware of it being written in blood anywhere)- on past precedent the selectors have overlooked qualified WT players- even Farah is no exception- something like when the City / Country hooker was injured- remember Teflon Tim then sought to give him "experience" at 1/2 back to boost his (Farah's)credentials.......... that little seed of doubt about staying at WT's and being able to progress to where he wants to be must be there.

 

[hybrid_tiger]

f**k you Sheens more like it. He admitted he let him go when he could have signed him.

I remember Noyce saying they made a big mistake about Laffranchi too.

At the time when he left, everyone assumed he wanted to go, but looks like they could have made more of an effort to keep him here. Typical.

Anyway, Searle is full of sh1t. Laffranchi is playing just like he was with us. He hasn't improved, he's just finally been recognised by NSW and Australian selectors.

 

[851]

I remember Noyce saying they made a big mistake about Laffranchi too.

At the time when he left, everyone assumed he wanted to go, but looks like they could have made more of an effort to keep him here. Typical.

Anyway, Searle is full of sh1t. Laffranchi is playing just like he was with us. He hasn't improved, he's just finally been recognised by NSW and Australian selectors.

Spot on Hybrid,I hate the whole club,not just Searle.

 

[rupertpupkin]

I remember Noyce saying they made a big mistake about Laffranchi too.

At the time when he left, everyone assumed he wanted to go, but looks like they could have made more of an effort to keep him here. Typical.

But there was a vision. We got Slammin' Sam.

 

[bjm8]

"But if his decision is that he wants to stay at the Tigers we will respect that as well."

Bullsh1t you will. You'll kick up the sh1ts and come up with a story about not ever offering him anything, then chase after the next hooker in the food chain in your quest to buy a premiership.

 

[innsaneink]

Bullsh1tartist is his middle name.....who can forget the turner saga.

 

[Monk]

i really hope Farah stays at the tigers,

at the titans Friend has become one of the better no9's in the game and i feel for him in this saga.

 

[madunit]

sounds like Robbie is playing both clubs to ensure he gets a big deal

 

[gurstar]

sounds like Robbie is playing both clubs to ensure he gets a big deal

agreed there he is chashing the bucks he will stay where he is . but the titans didnt offer any cash as yet