Robbie Farah and Tim Sheens at Campbelltown Sports Stadium this afternoon. Pictures: Simon Bennett
Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens and captain Robbie Farah know how important tomorrow night’s clash against Penrith Panthers is to keep their finals hopes alive.
‘‘We’ve both lost a few games in a row now so it’s a crucial game,’’ Sheens said this afternoon at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
‘‘Although we beat them in round seven they had a number of people out.’’
Farah said he’s ready for the clash after time on the sidelines with a concussion.
‘‘Obviously it’s been a tough few weeks, coming off the back of Origin I guess it’s tough mentally to come back from it.
‘But the club was good enough to give me a few days off and I had a chance to get away and freshen up a bit so I’m looking forward now.
‘‘We’ve got a tough run home ahead of us and we’re in a position where we need to win a few footy games to get back in the eight.’’
With most attention this week on the fact Luke Lewis will leave the Panthers at the end of the season, Sheens and Farah expect Lewis and the Panthers squad to come out firing.
‘‘With players, when they sort out their future, whether it’s a contact to stay or go, generally once it’s settled they settle down and then they’ll give their best for their mates,’’ Sheens said.
‘‘I know Luke pretty well, I’m sure he’ll be out to do the best he can for that team.’’
Farah said that when any club went through adversity they tended to respond on the footy field.
‘‘Penrith will be no different this week.
‘‘I know Luke, he’ll be out for a big game to show that he’s committed to the back end of the year and to play for the boys.
‘‘I know how much his teammates mean to him and he’ll go out there tomorrow night and show that.’’
Sheens is not getting too carried away with worrying about the run home to the finals.
‘‘I think about this week’s game first.
‘‘Our main focus at the moment is trying to keep everyone healthy as best we can and get our best side on the park and win as many games as we can.’’