Robbie Farah’s resolution to remain at Wests Tigers is the biggest debacle in rugby league

ROBBIE Farah is staying at the Wests Tigers, but it may only be the opening act of the circus with the club’s future clear as mud.

Robbie Farah in camp with the West Tigers at Nelson Bay. Picture by Peter Lorimer.

THE end of the Robbie Farah saga shapes as the ugly beginning for a fresh new wave of controversy at the club.

A reported resolution to the contract standoff will see Farah remain at the club for the next two seasons to fulfil the deal that ends in 2017.

Confirmation that Farah will stay with the Wests Tigers is reportedly set to be announced within the next 48 hours, with the star hooker set to paid the full $1.9 million for seeing out the final two years of his NRL contract, according to The Daily Telegraph.

However, his decision to stay at the club clouds the futures of a number of key players and figures at the club.

Former Newcastle great Matthew Johns told Triple M on Tuesday morning the debacle could easily turn into a disaster next year.

“The whole thing has been a straight out mess, there’s no doubt about it,” he told Triple M’s Grill Team.

“The most important thing is what happens from here, and the most important thing from here is they have to get off to a good start.

“If they are one win from six at the start of the year there are problems, and they’re aware of that, and the rot will really set in.

“For the Tigers, whatever’s happened they just got to get over it as quickly as they can. They’ve got some great young players, they’ve got their best years ahead of them. Start the year well, and all will be forgotten.”

Starting the season well is a big question mark for Wests Tigers. The club won just four of its final 16 matches of 2015 to finish equal last on 20 competition points with Newcastle.

Here’s what the dramatic end to the saga means for the key players at the struggling joint venture.

THE COACH

Keep your friends close.

TIGERS coach Jason Taylor told Farah to look for another club in August.

The same month he publicly said Farah would be playing reserve grade in 2016 if he decided to stay at the club.

Fast forward just over three months and the pair will now be expected to pick up the pieces and be the best of friends.

The Tigers do not have an answer to the rift between its coach and highest profile player.

They are simply hoping the toxic relationship will fizzle out and that both Taylor and Farah can be professional enough not to further divide the club.

Taylor also has two years remaining on his contract, but the Tigers were prepared to sack veteran mentor Tim Sheens with two years running on his deal in 2012.

THE OTHER GUY

Matt Ballin didn’t expect to have Robbie Farah as a teammate.

TO prove his declaration about playing Robbie Farah in reserve grade was no bluff, Taylor signed Manly No. 9 Matt Ballin on a two-year deal beginning in 2016.

The 31-year-old, who is a qualified personal trainer, was regarded as one of the fittest players at the Sea Eagles and will at the very least apply pressure on Farah to hold onto the No. 9 jumper.

Ballin reportedly contacted Farah to clear the air before his contract with the Wests Tigers was announced.

THE BOARD

West Tigers board member Marina Go.

THE Wests Tigers board has had a huge backlash from fans as it has stumbled from one disaster to the next since Farah’s uncertain future was first made public earlier this year.

News.com.au published a letter from a club member to Tigers non-executive director Marina Go in August outlining the series of bungled decisions the club has made in recent seasons.

The club’s resolution with Farah is sure to please more fans than it distances further, but the messy situation will again cast the spotlight on yet another issue that degenerated into a debacle.

The club was also without a chief executive until CEO Justin Pascoe was appointed in September following Grant Mayer’s resignation in June.

The club’s board room is the NRL’s laughing stock.

THE FANS

So you’re telling me there’s a chance.

The Daily Telegraph reported on Tuesday the Wests Tigers would not be issuing an apology to Farah, but intends to reach out to the club’s supporters with an official apology for the way the saga played out.

Fans were forced to swallow a number of poorly handled incidents at the club in recent seasons, including the public falling outs with former coaches Mick Potter and Tim Sheens.

The club also let playmaker Blake Austin move to Canberra without putting up a fight.

NRL followers were not scared to vent their frustration again on social media on Tuesday.

Glad @robbiefarah is back. Foul up by the @WestsTigers to even think of letting him go! Here's to a top season! #nrl #tigergate

— Gareth Kidd (@garethvk) December 1, 2015

Looks like Robbie Farah has won and he's going to be staying at Tigers. Good for him. Now he and Taylor have to rebuild that club.

— Steve Zemek (@stevezemek) November 30, 2015

good to see @robbiefarah sticking with the Wests Tigers. If any1 deserves to be a 1 club player and be treated with respect it's Robbie.

— Dylan Whipper (@whipzy77) November 30, 2015

Congratulations to Robbie Farah for securing the Captain-Coach-CEO role at @WestsTigers #NRL

— Dr NRL (@dr_nrl) November 30, 2015

STATE OF ORIGIN

Laurie Daley is standing by his man.

NSW coach Laurie Daley has repeatedly said he would not hesitate to select Farah to play for NSW in 2016 from reserve grade.

Daley also said the same thing of former Penrith centre Michael Jennings when the Blues speedster was dropped to reserve grade by Panthers supremo Phil Gould to play in the NSW Cup before he was called up to play for NSW.

Originally published as Robbie Farah’s resolution to remain at Wests Tigers is the biggest debacle in rugby league