Tigers legend Robbie Farah believes he’s given his career everything he can

Robbie Farah heads into retirement after 300 NRL games secure in the knowledge he has given all he can for the Wests Tigers cause.

• LEGEND: Tigers great Farah calls time on career

• KENT: Is consistency too much to ask for?

A little more than a month ago, veteran hooker Robbie Farah approached Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire and confessed: “I’ve got nothing more to give.”

With those six words, the curtain began to come down on his illustrious 17-season career.

Farah, 35, confirmed yesterday he would retire at the end of the season in a finale he hopes will go deep into the finals.

“I don’t think there’s much more for me to give,” Farah said. “I know within myself I have given everything I’ve got and I can retire content.

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Robbie Farah will retire at the end of the season. Picture: Dean Lewins

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“It was something I thought long and hard about but I think it’s the right decision.

“The time is right, the club is in good hands. I’m ready.

“I wouldn’t want to go a year too long and have my body break down. I have always given my all and have left nothing in the tank.”

In a win for fans, the Farah farewell tour won’t leave Sydney because the Wests Tigers’ remaining regular-season games are all in the Harbour City.

Starting with tomorrow night’s clash with North Queensland at Leichhardt Oval, Farah will visit ANZ Stadium, Lottoland, Campbelltown, the Sydney Cricket Ground and then go back to Leichhardt for a final-round game against Cronulla.

“Emotionally, it’s been tough,” Farah said.

“I am very emotionally invested in what I do. I ride the highs and lows. That gets draining.

“Getting on the field each week takes a lot of effort and work. You work around the clock and then there’s the anxiety and stress that comes with that.”

Farah almost retired while at the Rabbitohs in 2018. Picture: Dave Hunt

After 248 games as a Tiger, Farah was forced out of the club and joined South Sydney, where he had mixed fortunes in 26 games at the club.

“At times I thought my career was going to finish playing reserve grade at the Bears,” Farah said of his stint with Souths’ then feeder club.

“There were so many people around me who kept me going and pushed me and told me to hang in there and that things would turn.

“Hopefully I can go out a winner having played semi-final football in September this year.”

The 11th-placed Tigers are just one point outside the top eight. Now his decision is out there, Farah — a Wests Tigers life member — can extract every ounce of energy from his weary body over the final rounds.

“I will leave everything out on the field,” he said. “I’m sure we’re going to do everything we can to push for a finals berth. I’d love to finish on that note.

“I fought so hard because of the love I have for this club. I will always fight for this club. That never changed with everything I went through.”

A driving factor in Farah’s decision was to leave when he wanted, not when he was tapped on the shoulder.

“To have the opportunity to go out on my terms is big,” he said.

“I feel like I’m still playing some good footy. But you never know what the future holds.

“It’s been a blessing for me to come back to this club and have the opportunity to finish my career here.

“I never thought that would happen. It’s more than I could have ever asked for. It’s been a struggle with my body through my career.

“I would love to be involved with the club for a long time to come, passing my passion and love — how much we care about this club — on to the players who can then take this club forward.”

Farah is yet to speak with Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe about an ambassadorial role after a previous mooted agreement with the club cost the Wests Tigers boss a six-month suspension.

“That is a conversation that will take place after the next 10 weeks,” Pascoe said.

Farah made a point of thanking Souths, where he played in 2017 and part of last year before returning home.

“I guess the silver lining in me leaving the Tigers is that, in some way, I am part of the Rabbitohs’ history and will be forever,” Farah said.

A Leichhardt junior, Farah played his 300th NRL game last weekend — 274 of those for Wests Tigers and 149 as skipper.

“Robbie has given so much to Wests Tigers in his unwavering commitment on and off the field, and it is wonderful to recognise his career and achievements,” Tigers chairman Barry O’Farrell said.

“His loyalty to the club, determination and toughness will be a lasting inspiration for Wests Tigers players, and it is fantastic to see him finish his time in rugby league in the colours he is so passionate about.”

Tigers coach Michael Maguire added: “Robbie has played an incredibly important part in the history of this club, but his role in setting the direction for our team this year has been just as important.

“As a leader, his competitiveness and desire to win are as high as any player in the game.”