Robbie Farah set to report for Wests Tigers pre-season training as he prepares to dig in his heels

ROBBIE Farah’s future was the talking point at the Wests Tigers grand final luncheon — and it looks like the skipper’s set to dig in his heels.

Robbie Farah of the Wests Tigers rugby league team arrives with his manager Sam Ayoub at the Wests Tigers grand final luncheon at Doltone House, Sydney. Pic Brett Costello

THE next time Robbie Farah greets his Wests Tigers teammates will be day one of pre-season training.

The Tigers on Friday held their grand final luncheon with superstar fullback James Tedesco crowned Players’ Player by his teammates and the members.

But the real talking point was the future of Farah, and whether the inspirational skipper will return to see out the final two years of his deal.

The Saturday Telegraph understands Farah plans to report for the start of pre-season training when the Tigers resume on November 2.

It’s been nearly six weeks since Farah was told by the Tigers he was free to look elsewhere, with the club even prepared to pick up a large chunk of his $1.9 million tab.

The threat of playing in the NSW Cup if he chooses to hang around remains genuine.

But Farah is prepared to dig in his heels. He wants to be a one-club player.

The relationship with coach Jason Taylor continues to be strained, with the pair barely acknowledging each other on Friday.

Farah was accompanied by his manager Sam Ayoub, who has on several occasions publicly criticised the Tigers for their treatment of his representative client.

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Asked if Farah would run out for round one for the Tigers if he couldn’t find a new club, new Tigers’ CEO Justin Pascoe told The Saturday Telegraph: “He’ll have the opportunity to prove to the coach, and the coach has that right to make a decision (on availability), not only with him, but with every single player.

“We’re honouring all obligations to the contract.

“We gave him an opportunity to look elsewhere. It’s as simple as that.’’

James Tedesco and Robbie Farah at the Wests Tigers grand final luncheon. Picture: Brett Costello

Tedesco expected Farah to resume training next month, and hoped he remained at the Tigers.

“If another club doesn’t chase him up, I expect him to be there the first day,’’ Tedesco said.

“Robbie has been a great mentor to me. He’s been here since I’ve been here, he’s a legend of the club and if he gets an offer, good luck to him, but I’d be happy to see him stay with us.’’

Tedesco and bearded prop Aaron Woods were two blokes who really aimed up for the Tigers this season.

Playing every minute of every game this season, Tedesco revealed he had stem cells injected into his knee a fortnight ago.

“I had a needle put into my stomach, they took some fat out and mixed it with some blood from my arm, and they put it in my knee. There’s not much cartilage or meniscus down there, so it was for a bit of protection,’’ said Tedesco, who will push for NSW honours should he start 2016 the way he finished this year.

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Originally published as Robbie Farah set to report for Wests Tigers pre-season training as he prepares to dig in his heels