Huge loss to Eels exposed why Robbie Farah, Benji Marshall still Wests Tigers most valuable players

Veterans Robbie Farah and Benji Marshall might be coming towards the end of their illustrious careers but they are still the two most valuable players in the Wests Tigers’ squad.

Robbie Farah and Benji Marshall are vital to the Wests Tigers finals cause.

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Robbie Farah and Benji Marshall might be coming towards the end of their illustrious careers but they are still the two most important players when it comes to making the Wests Tigers roar.

As the huge loss to Parramatta again exposed, Farah and Marshall’s leadership is the one thing the Tigers cannot live without.

The Tigers are a squad who do not have the overall talent and depth of many of their rivals, but what they thrive on is playing tough and never giving up on each other, which comes on the back of their spirit of togetherness.

Robbie Farah and Benji Marshall are vital to the Wests Tigers finals cause.

Michael Maguire is a coach who prides himself on winning the small battles that make up an 80-minute performance, which would have only made watching what his players dished up against the Eels all the more embarrassing.

Before leaving for Tamworth to take on Gold Coast on Saturday afternoon, Maguire said it was up to his players to respond to the 51-6 humiliation.

And the most significant point Maguire made was that the Tigers have to play as a team, not as individuals.

“When you talk about attitude sometimes you can try too hard,” Maguire said.

“Unfortunately there were moments in the game (against Parramatta) where they ran the length of the field and that doesn’t happen normally.

Farah had to be replaced after just nine minutes against the Eels.

“I think just the way we reacted to that is probably not the right way. Rather than solve it together, we tried to solve it individually.”

But this is where the absence of Farah and Marshall was crucial.

While Moses Mbye is captain and Luke Brooks chief playmaker, the lack of talk and direction against the Eels after a disastrous start was the most obvious ingredient missing, and clearly the loss of Farah in the opening minutes was a huge blow.

The 35-year-old veteran only lasted nine minutes before suffering a head knock and the moment he went off any hope the Tigers had of fighting back went with him.

And it was more than just his crafty dummy half work that was missing.

It was a tough day at the office for the Tigers against the Eels last Monday.

With Marshall already sidelined with a hamstring injury, the Tigers lost their way and, as Maguire said, played as individuals.

You just have to look at the teams in this competition and while talent and depth separate the best from the rest, experience counts as well.

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While this clash against Gold Coast hasn’t had near the build up of the Easter Monday blockbuster, don’t underestimate just how important it could ultimately be to the Tigers’ season.

No disrespect to the Titans who have won their last two games, but the Tigers draw gets significantly tougher in the coming weeks, taking on the Sydney Roosters next round followed by Penrith, Melbourne and South Sydney before the bye heading into the opening State of Origin.

Sitting on three wins from their opening six games, the Tigers desperately need this win against the Titans.

Maguire confirmed that Farah would be a certain starter although Luke Garner has been ruled out after also suffering concussion in the loss to Parramatta.

Next week the Tigers should get Marshall back, but on Saturday it has to be Farah who takes charge.

Originally published as Huge loss to Eels exposed why Robbie Farah, Benji Marshall still Wests Tigers most valuable players