Manly try to cool hype
FARAH TO CALL TIME AT TIGERS
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.
“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.
— Dean Ritchie MANLY skipper Daly CherryEvans called an impromptu team meeting yesterday in a desperate bid to dismiss the increasing hype around his side’s premierships chances.
It seems the Sea Eagles are attempting to stay under the radar yet again.
Manly coach Des Hasler is notorious for playing down his side’s chances – a tactic now employed by Cherry-evans
Told Manly couldn’t stay under the radar any longer, Cherry-evans said: “We’ll find a way.”
A shock 11-10 golden point win over Melbourne at AAMI Park last weekend saw bookies slash Manly’s odds into $10 to win this season’s grand final.
“I actually addressed the players just then about not listening to the external noise. That sort of stuff can quite quickly derail teams,” CherryEvans said.
“It can distract individuals and take away from what you’re trying to achieve. Looking too far ahead is never a good thing in rugby league.
“That sort of win wasn’t a surprise to me. I have always had a lot of belief in the team and where we can go this year.
“Maybe everyone else is starting to see that now but we will just try and keep our heads down and keep winning footy games.”
Manly sit in fifth place but know they must somehow secure a top-four spot to have a real crack at this — year’s Trent title. Slatter