Rod Farlow wont ever regret the decision to leave the holiday destination of Bali for a rushed trip to the foot of the mountains.
His son, Jarred, finally got the chance to make his NRL debut at Penrith today after seven years of playing the game he loves for Balmain Ryde Eastwood and Wests Tigers in the NSW Cup competition.
The 26-year-olds journey to first grade is a story of perservance and self belief. A full-time electrician, Farlow has been training with the NSW Cup team after work.
For Rod Farlow, the decision to interrupt a two-week family holiday would have been the furthest thing from his mind when his son ran onto the field for the first time in the second half.
The trip back and Jarreds NRL debut may not have even eventuated if it wasnt for the NRL approving a request from Wests Tigers for a second tier salary cap exemption due to the amount of injuries the club has experienced this season.
The clearance came through after Farlow was named on the interchange bench by Coach Mick Potter.
When Mick told me on Monday that there was a possibility of me playing subject to NRL approval, it was a very nervous wait, Jarred revealed.
My parents didnt know whether to come back or not. When I got the all clear, I rang them. Dad decided to return and only arrived back in Sydney this morning. He flies out again tomorrow.
It was an awesome experience to play in the NRL. It was just good to get out there and make my first run. To be on the end of a win was even better.
The match was even more special for Farlow as one of his best mates in Sean Meaney a player who too has been battling away in the NSW Cup in between limited first grade appearances played full-back in the win.
The importance of what the game meant to Farlow was not lost on Meaney.
I was over the moon for Jarred. He has just been toiling away each season hoping to get his chance, Meaney said.
He is the one player who I probably have played with the most who deserved a first grade game and he really took it with both hands. It was a really proud moment to just be out there with him.
Jarred is such a team player. No matter what, he just keeps turning up and turning up and doing those little one per centres that nobody really wants to do. He is always there and puts the team first.
Rod Farlow should enjoy every moment of the 4637km flight back to Bali.
His son, Jarred, finally got the chance to make his NRL debut at Penrith today after seven years of playing the game he loves for Balmain Ryde Eastwood and Wests Tigers in the NSW Cup competition.
The 26-year-olds journey to first grade is a story of perservance and self belief. A full-time electrician, Farlow has been training with the NSW Cup team after work.
For Rod Farlow, the decision to interrupt a two-week family holiday would have been the furthest thing from his mind when his son ran onto the field for the first time in the second half.
The trip back and Jarreds NRL debut may not have even eventuated if it wasnt for the NRL approving a request from Wests Tigers for a second tier salary cap exemption due to the amount of injuries the club has experienced this season.
The clearance came through after Farlow was named on the interchange bench by Coach Mick Potter.
When Mick told me on Monday that there was a possibility of me playing subject to NRL approval, it was a very nervous wait, Jarred revealed.
My parents didnt know whether to come back or not. When I got the all clear, I rang them. Dad decided to return and only arrived back in Sydney this morning. He flies out again tomorrow.
It was an awesome experience to play in the NRL. It was just good to get out there and make my first run. To be on the end of a win was even better.
The match was even more special for Farlow as one of his best mates in Sean Meaney a player who too has been battling away in the NSW Cup in between limited first grade appearances played full-back in the win.
The importance of what the game meant to Farlow was not lost on Meaney.
I was over the moon for Jarred. He has just been toiling away each season hoping to get his chance, Meaney said.
He is the one player who I probably have played with the most who deserved a first grade game and he really took it with both hands. It was a really proud moment to just be out there with him.
Jarred is such a team player. No matter what, he just keeps turning up and turning up and doing those little one per centres that nobody really wants to do. He is always there and puts the team first.
Rod Farlow should enjoy every moment of the 4637km flight back to Bali.
