South Sydney signing Robbie Farah has revealed how close he came to playing for the NRL club in 2016 as he searched for ways to leave the Wests Tigers.
Farah's drawn out exit from Concord began in August 2015, when he was sensationally told by coach Jason Taylor he was free to play for another club.
The then-Tigers captain was immediately linked with a move to the Sydney Roosters, however Farah admitted he almost became a Rabbitoh instead.
"I got to meet (South Sydney coach Michael Maguire) last year about the possibility of coming to Souths this year," Farah told the Rabbitohs' website.
"But that didn't work out at the time."
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The veteran rake began this season as the Tigers' No.1 hooker but was demoted to the bench when he went away for State of Origin duty with NSW.
A round 17 game against Penrith was his final match in club colours as he was denied an opportunity to reach 250 NRL games with his local club.
Despite having another season on his contract, Farah was again on the search for a new club, and the Rabbitohs again came calling.
"This time, when things were going sour at the Tigers again, Madge was on the phone to me again, and from day one he made me feel wanted," Farah said.
"I'm happy to put that behind me now and it feels good to get a resolution there.
"I'm just looking forward to a fresh start."
The incumbent Blues hooker had piqued the interest of eventual 2016 premiers Cronulla, as well as St George Illawarra in the latter half of the season.
But he ended up signing a two-year deal with the Bunnies, believing he could play a major role in helping the club back to the finals in 2017.
"To hear how determined Sam (Burgess) and GI (Greg Inglis) and the playing group are to turn things around, I felt that by me coming there would help things turn around next year," he said.
