Farah: We need to be professional

Wests Tigers skipper Robbie Farah has called on his players to “be professional” ahead of Sunday’s encounter with reigning premiers St George.

The club was earlier this month found to be among five clubs to have broken the salary cap in 2010 – leaving them with the possibility of hefty fine from the NRL.

It also means a number of the current squad could be axed as the club attempts to rectify the breach.

But Farah says after a lengthy players meeting, they are ready to put their full focus on the significant task at WIN Jubilee Oval.

He said: “There are a few things going on with the salary cap and guys being spoken about leaving the club. You like to think it isn’t affecting you but we are all close mates here and sometimes that can play on your mind a little bit, especially for the boys that are being talked about.’’

“We have to be professional enough to put that aside and play our footy. We can’t let that affect us when we go out onto the field whether it be issues like that or issues you have got at home.

“I know we can find that form [from last year]. We are not playing our best but we know its there. We are not too far off. We just need to tweak a few things. I’ve got every confidence in the side still.”

A fortnight ago the Tigers produced a limp performance in the loss to South Sydney and showed only small improvements in the following week’s narrow win over Penrith.

Farah added: “In the Souths game, we were just not switched on in the first half and by half-time, the game was gone. I thought against Penrith we started well but then we just kept dropping the ball.

“We know our ball control this week is crucial which is what the Dragons are so good at. If we give them the amount of ball we gave Penrith, they are going to put us to the sword. Our completions are a key this week.”