Robbie Farah awaits results of club review before deciding future
by: Margie McDonald
From: The Australian
September 22, 2012 12:00AM
PRESSURE has intensified on Wests Tigers after Robbie Farah's manager admitted last night his client's future at the club could hinge on the outcome of the review of its disappointing season.
Farah spent a large part of Thursday night on the phone to his manager, Sam Ayoub, as he and other members of the Tigers squad vented their frustration over club changes.
Ayoub said yesterday Farah had obligations as club captain to let management announce the results of its investigations into 2012 _ the Tigers finished 10th _ before he looks at his own situation.
The 28-year-old is off contract at the end of next season and has already been linked with a move to Parramatta in 2014, which would reunite him with NSW coach Ricky Stuart.
The pair forged a strong bond during this year's State of Origin series and Farah was effusive in his praise for the Blues and now-Parramatta mentor when he won recently the Brad Fittler Medal as NSW's player of the year.
"He's decided not to weigh into it at the moment and let the events pan out," Ayoub said.
"Obviously depending on what happens, it could influence what he does beyond next year."
While Farah is keeping his powder dry, teammate Benji Marshall made his feelings known on The Footy Show on Thursday night when he admitted he was disillusioned with the decision to release senior players, the latest being Beau Ryan and Chris Heighington.
However, the possibility that Farah could also leave will only put more pressure on chief executive Stephen Humphreys as he conducts the review into the Tigers' failings.
Coach Tim Sheens is also under increasing pressure as he becomes the focal point of fan and player anger over the decision to allow some of the club's most influential figures to leave. It is understood talks were ongoing yesterday, but it seems likely the club and Sheens will end their decade-long relationship within days.
There had been speculation the four-time premiership winner could be offered a role as coaching director but it is understood that is not being considered.
Sheens has also been linked with a move to the Warriors, but even if he is unable to find another club, he will remain in coaching with the national team.
Options to replace Sheens include Manly and NSW assistant coach Matt Parish, who played for Balmain and was involved with Farah in his capacity with the Origin side. While Farah is yet to publicly declare his position on Sheens, rumours of player unrest have been circulating since news emerged of the departure of Ryan and Heighington.
It emerged yesterday that a group of players met at a Sydney hotel on Monday night to discuss the situation. It is understood Farah was not among the group.
Towards the end of last year, popular forwards Bryce Gibbs and Andrew Fifita were told to look elsewhere. They both had strong seasons with Cronulla.
Humphreys declined to comment when contacted by The Weekend Australian yesterday. However, some of the club's most prominent supporters remain deeply upset with what has taken place in recent weeks.
lGeorge Mimis has dropped his fight against the six-month ban imposed by the Rugby League Accredited Players Agent Scheme.
Mimis, who heads the SFX Group, was suspended in April along with David Riolo and Isaac Moses of the Titan Management Group in relation to Melbourne's salary-cap breaches that were uncovered in 2010.
Billy Slater, Brett Stewart, Anthony Watmough, Justin Hodges and Darius Boyd are all managed by Mimis, who remains suspended until October 31.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING: AAP
