Wests Tigers boss Justin Pascoe on his return and that Robbie Farah deal

Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe is back at the club after his six month suspension. He spoke with Michael Carayannis about what he learned during his time away, the salary cap and Robbie Farah and Benji Marshall.

CEO Justin Pascoe is back at the Wests Tigers. Picture: Brett Costello

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Returning Wests Tigers chief executive Justin Pascoe has rejected suggestions his club needs to off-load multiple players as he revealed the mental torment of being suspended by the NRL.

Pasoce also confirmed the Robbie Farah ambassador deal which led to his temporary deregistration is still an option once Farah retries. The Tigers boss returned to his desk last Wednesday having been sidelined for the past six months for failing to disclose Farah’s deal.

Pascoe is working closely with coach Michael Maguire for the first time as he tells Michael Carayannis about the impact his ban had on his family, the Tigers salary cap position and what the future holds for Farah and Benji Marshall.

CEO Justin Pascoe is back at the Wests Tigers. Picture: Brett Costello

THE FALLOUT

Reality bit for Pascoe when his seven and 10-year-old children would come home and quiz him.

“My kids kept on coming home and people at school we’re saying to them ‘you’re fired, you’ve been this you’ve been that,” Pascoe said. “They were wondering why dad was always home.

“My first reaction when I was told I would be deregistered was of shock.

“It’s tough because of the great unknown. You’re in a position where there is no certainty. One thing which could’ve created certainly was to say ‘thanks very much I’ll seek employment elsewhere’. That didn’t cross my mind but it would’ve removed uncertainty and stresses.

“There were plenty of up and down days.”

Robbie Farah’s ambassador deal is still an option. Picture: Alix Sweeney

TIME AWAY

Pascoe spent time with his family. He took up surfing and tried to explore ways to better his leadership skills. He was unable to have any communication with the club but was allowed to attend games. Pascoe barely missed a match. He sat on the hill in the pouring rain during the Tigers round one clash against Manly and travelled interstate to watch the side play.

“No one wants it to happen but to spend months dropping off the kids, picking them up and taking them to post school activities, I’d never take that back,” Pascoe said. “In regards to work, I did a lot of research in best practice. What makes a winning company a winning company. That just validated things.”

Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe with coach Michael Maguire in November last year. Picture: AAP

S ALARY CAP

Much has been made of the Tigers salary cap for next year. As part of the club’s cap punishment they can’t spend $319,000 of their cap this year and next year. Pascoe empathetically denied suggestions any player had been told to leave the club.

“There is lots of talk and noise around cap challenges,” Pascoe said. “I would strongly point out the cap position we were in when we were handed down a sanction as not many clubs could be hit with a $319,00 punishment without losing players. We could not only absorb it but we bought Robert Jennings.

“Next year none of the on-contracted players will have to be moved on as a consequence of the sanction. We’ve had zero conversations with any player about (being moved on). No conversations at all. The club, myself or mangers haven’t had a discussion with any player.

“In 2021 (our salary cap) opens up dramatically. There is a really substantial amount of cap space to be really aggressive in the market place.

“The club has done exceptionally well to absorb a challenging position.”

MARSHALL AND FARAH

Pascoe said it will be up to the club’s two veteran players if they want to play on again but that conversation is yet to. Pascoe also confirmed the Farah’s post-playing ambassador role is “very much on the table” if Farah wanted to take it up.

T HE FUTURE

The club is in the midst of appointing a head of football for the outgoing Kelly Egan. Pascoe wants that sorted within weeks.

Originally published as Wests Tigers boss Justin Pascoe on his return and that Robbie Farah deal