Since news of Robbie Farah being urged to look for a new club next season, two of the clubs thought to be most likely in for his services have since come out and denied interest.

Both the Titans and the Rabbits, who many have as the favourite to land Farah, have publically stated they will not be making a play for the champion number nine.

If Farah is not picked up by another side next season, the Tigers will be forced to pay out his contract.

Not only this, but they’ve stated they will be playing Farah in reserve grade should this happen, which means they’ll be playing almost a million dollars for a NSW cup hooker.

Farah, after very publically being told his services are no longer required, is unlikely to be able to put this aside and star for the NSW cup side next season.

To sum up, if Farah isn’t offered a contract elsewhere, the Tigers will be paying huge dollars for a disinterested reserve grader.

The reason the Tigers are so desperate to move their captain on is due to the huge money he will be on in his final two years of his contract due to a heavily back-ended contract.

For those who aren’t aware of the term, a back-ended contract is when a player is paid a larger percentage of money in the final years of his contract. (pretty self-explanatory)

Farah would have played for less money in previous years with the knowledge that his final two seasons would top up his contract.

To be honest, I can’t remember an instance where a back-ended contract has worked in the club’s favour.

Anthony Watmough was forced out of the Sea Eagles as they tried to avoid paying him a million dollars in the final year of his contract in order to extend contracts elsewhere.

Michael Jennings was another player reported to be on a back-ended contract. The Panthers went to great lengths to move him on so they could balance their roster.

Fans were outraged when Jennings was allowed to join the Roosters, although the Panthers were likely going to lose some exciting talent in order to honour the Jennings deal.

Luke Lewis left for the Sharks on the same basis. Should he and Jennings have stayed, they would have taken up a large percentage of the cap, meaning the Panthers would have to cut elsewhere.

In theory a back-ended contract could be beneficial. It would allow you to sign a big name player on the short-term on big money, whilst another play sacrifices, knowing he will be compensated in later years.

Unfortunately in the cases of Farah, Jennings and Watmough, the club’s did not plan well around the final years.

The Tigers need to enter the player market, and need funds to do so.

At 31, it’s arguable that Farah isn’t the player he was at say 28, however his pay packet will be much larger due to contract structure.

The Tigers knew that their younger players would need upgrades, so I don’t understand why they signed such a big name player to such a contract.

Tedesco, Brooks, Moses etc were all highly spoken of a few years back. Common sense would dictate they would improve and require contract extension and upgrades.

Back-ended contracts reek of “we’ll deal with this later”.

If managed correctly they offer the chance to rebuild a squad quickly, but if mismanaged, they can provide huge headaches and require even bigger decisions to be made.

Farah has not had his best season, but is arguably the Tigers second most important player after James Tedesco.

Although there are rumours of other factors playing a part in the decision made, what we know is that the Tigers need his contract money to improve their squad.

I’m certainly not saying his back-ended contract is purely to blame for the situation, however it surely doesn’t help.

I can’t remember an instance of it working …

NFL buzz down under

There is plenty of buzz in NFL circles following the incredible pre-season form of Jarryd Hayne, however talk of NFL scouts raiding the NRL is downright laughable.

Let’s be honest, Jarryd Hayne is no ordinary footballer. He is special.

He was one of the game’s elite, and could literally do it all.

His skills have transferred well to date, however one NRL player’s pre-season form is not going to see squads raided for talent.

Greg Inglis, a few seasons ago, could have possible made the switch, however Greg Inglis, if given the time, could do anything.

I’m sure if given the time there could be other converts, but why would the NFL chase Aussie kids who have never played the game before over American kids who have played the game since they were kids?

In the Hayne instance, he is a special player, and a no risk prospect for the 49’ers.

If he thrives, he’s a big name recruit in a new market, that won’t cost a bundle. If he failed to fire, they just cut him.

There may be NRL players making the switch in the future, but there will be no mass raid.

Fans threaten to burn jerseys

Tigers’ fans have taken to social media to say they will be handing back memberships or even in some cases burn jerseys after the Farah news.

This sort of over reaction is not uncommon.

Sharks fans threatened to hand in their memberships following the sacking of Todd Carney.

Eels’ fans have been threatening similar action following a few years of horror results on and off the field.

I fully understand fans getting behind their players, especially a champion such as Farah, however as a fan of the club, you support the club.

I have been massively, and publicly, critical of my side over the years, however unless they were to relocate and change their name, I will still support them.

For the record there will certainly be the odd fan who passes on renewing their membership next season, but I don’t see any mass jersey burning.

Farah is a Tigers legend, but who is to say his moving on won’t allow the club to develop five or six future legends?

Only time will tell if this is the right decision.