Hugh McGahan: Farah not the victim, he may be the problem

Robbie Farah. Photo / Getty Images

Robbie Farah shouldn't feel victimised over Gorden Tallis' claim of what Farah told him about Wests Tigers coach Mick Potter.

Tallis had every right to reveal the culprit who made the statement after Tallis was being accused of making it up.

The Tigers are failing to quell the rumours of Potter's imminent demise and pressure has mounted for the team to remain in contention for the playoffs. Potter has been under the microscope for some time. The Tigers started the season well but have dropped away.

Last week reports suggested Potter would be sacked after their game against the Dragons.

This was when Tallis was challenged about his knowledge of disharmony among the players towards their coach.

It was acknowledged by Farah's agent that he questioned Potter's credentials 15 months ago but had since changed his mind. Well, that's all Farah had to say to the public. Instead, he tried to claim it was a false accusation and has stood by his proclamation. He could have killed off this story and settled a horrible scenario for the coach.

The Tigers played as though the controversy affected them against the Dragons and said as much afterwards. The blowtorch was applied to Farah at the press conference and he bristled at claims made by Tallis. He then took time away from training because of stress.

Farah was involved as a senior player in the removal of Tim Sheens as Tigers coach. He has denied this previously but there are too many similarities now to what unfolded around Sheens and his role cannot be underestimated.

Farah is the last of the group of players still at the club who dictated results on and off the field.

Others such as Benji Marshall, Beau Ryan, Chris Heighington and Bryce Gibbs have departed and were at the forefront of the Tigers' player power.

Farah has a churlish and gruff personality and needs to look at how he relates to people. He may be the problem.

There are always expectations the Tigers can reproduce the formula that saw them win the title in 2005, but they have never been able to achieve the consistency required to win bigger games.

Sheens realised that and removing those strong influences to win back control was his only option. It was a last resort.

It was a tough decision but, unfortunately, he wasn't selective enough before his sacking.

It doesn't look like Potter will survive to bring about the changes required for the Wests Tigers to live up to their potential.