Farah deserves NRL farewell: teammates

Wests Tigers players have welcomed the possibility of out-of-favour veteran Robbie Farah farewelling the club in this weekend’s last regular-season game.

Farah is believed to be on the verge of finally moving out of Concord, with the former captain heavily linked with South Sydney and Cronulla.

A decision before Sunday’s fixture against Canberra at Leichhardt Oval, a game that could decide whether they play finals football in 2016, would allow the 2005 premiership winner to say goodbye to Tigers fans.

A near-capacity crowd is expected at the club’s spiritual ground, especially if eighth-placed Gold Coast leave the door open for the Tigers to steal a finals spot should the Titans lose to North Queensland.

It is understood discussions continue on how much of Farah’s reported $950,000 deal for next season the joint-venture will foot for a new club for the State of Origin rake.

The Tigers were yet to begin preparations on a farewell, however teammates said an opportunity to honour the club’s longest-serving player would be the right way for Farah to depart.

“Obviously, he’s been at the club for quite a while. For him to go out here would be good. I think the fans would obviously appreciate the opportunity to see him again,” back-rower Chris Lawrence said.

Prop Jesse Sue said he felt bad for Farah, but that the star hooker deserved a lap of honour.

“I think it would be good for Robbie, just some closure. I really feel bad for him, but it’s footy. It’s a cut-throat sport. We’re still close mates – hopefully, he gets the best deal for himself,” he said.

“I’d love to see the best farewell for Robbie if he does leave.”

Lawrence said it was time for the two parties to go their separate ways, ending what was at times a bitter standoff that had dragged on for more than a year.

It’s almost 12 months to the day since Farah was told he was free to play elsewhere.

“It’s tough for Robbie and it has been over the past couple of months. But he’s staying strong and he’s obviously looking to move on and finalise things,” Lawrence said.

“It’s dragged on for too long and I think everyone needs to move on from it.”

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