Mark geyer: Drop Tigers Bring back Wests Magpies

[madunit]

Why were Perth given the arse in the first place.

Didn't they have a good sized and strong junior base?

And weren't they financially growing?

 

[Perth Tiger]

I feel for Perth league fans.
They must trawl the Sydney papers daily looking for clubs in turmoil in the faint hope they will get dumped unto the dustbowl Perth.

Nah most Perth fans have strong feelings for at least one of the current clubs and don't want to see any fold.

We want and deserve a team here, but a half way competently run competition can easier have a Perth team without having much effect on the current teams.

 

[Perth Tiger]

Why were Perth given the arse in the first place.

Didn't they have a good sized and strong junior base?

And weren't they financially growing?

The short answer is super league.

You could write a book about it but in short once the Reds were admitted by the ARL they were saddled with some pretty ridiculous requirements such as having the pay the travel for all visiting teams which, rightly or wrongly, lead them to signing with super league with promises that that were an important part of the new comp.

Once the two comps merged super league prompted stabbed us in the back in favor of the financial riches of a Melbourne team.

You are right, in 97 we had the financial base and growing junior base that would of seen a self sufficient team by now. Over the last couple of years this base is probably close to if not greater than it was back them.

 

[TheFrog]

Seriously it really does show what a lack of talent we have in this country from an employment perspective when the likes of Geyer can get a full time job when unemployment is so high. Like many who can get a job on radio and TV in fact.

Geyer, the intellectual giant, plays on the fact that he came from Mt Druitt as if he worked his way to the top of the corporate ladder. Then there's his colleagues like Johns and his supposed superiority parting judgement on others for any misdemeanour but forgets about he and his brother.

Mark Geyer threw the money ball that won a premiership, in fact his club's first premiership. Very few players can make that claim. Thus he commands immense respect.

But even legends of the game have to make a living after they retire from playing, and Geyer's living is making provocative statements on the air. Sort of like the late Stan Zemanek. He's entitled to his opinion. Maybe he has an axe to grind against Balmain but really he should never have left Penrith.

And I wouldn't worry, the Wests Ashfield club have indicated that the Wests Tigers joint venture is perfectly safe. I'm sure they realise that the Tigers brand is far more valuable than the Magpies brand.

 

[madunit]

The short answer is super league.

You could write a book about it but in short once the Reds were admitted by the ARL they were saddled with some pretty ridiculous requirements such as having the pay the travel for all visiting teams which, rightly or wrongly, lead them to signing with super league with promises that that were an important part of the new comp.

Once the two comps merged super league prompted stabbed us in the back in favor of the financial riches of a Melbourne team.

You are right, in 97 we had the financial base and growing junior base that would of seen a self sufficient team by now. Over the last couple of years this base is probably close to if not greater than it was back them.

the travel costs was coupled with accommodation costs as well.

Western/Perth Reds were by far the best and most promising expansion club added to the premier competition since the Broncos.

 

[Perth Tiger]

the travel costs was coupled with accommodation costs as well.

Western/Perth Reds were by far the best and most promising expansion club added to the premier competition since the Broncos.

Yep

It was the same problem that has plagued Rugby League for decades, short term vision and self interest affecting decision making.

 

[DanOz]

I am wondering why our board and members would accept a proposal by the NRL to appoint 3 independant directors which, would effectively run the club. The Wests side would have 2 Directors along with 2 Balmain non voting members.

I am concerned the WESTS Group do not want the Wests Tigers Rugby League Club. Wouldn't the supporters prefer one of the JV partners assume control collaboratively until the other is back on its feet? I would prefer WESTS run the club than the NRL as they may have an agenda. It sounds like Balmain side would prefer the NRL over Wests.

Any thought s on the matter?

Agree. Wests should take control. They have no intention of becoming the Magpies again, and have publicly stated as much. Leaving Wests in control ensures Wests Tigers stay in Sydney, and is the only chance of keeping the suburban grounds, although this is unlikely due to Wests having to fund the JV without assistance from Balmain. If the NRL take control they will be advocating the best interests of the NRL, not the Wests Tigers. If an independent board is put in place, I hope their allegiance is to the Club, not the NRL.

 

[madunit]

Agree. Wests should take control. They have no intention of becoming the Magpies again, and have publicly stated as much. Leaving Wests in control ensures Wests Tigers stay in Sydney, and is the only chance of keeping the suburban grounds, although this is unlikely due to Wests having to fund the JV without assistance from Balmain. If the NRL take control they will be advocating the best interests of the NRL, not the Wests Tigers. If an independent board is put in place, I hope their allegiance is to the Club, not the NRL.

the old faithful on the Balmain side would never allow it.

 

[Trollhammaren]

Obviously MG is off his dial and the Magpies will never return, but can anyone shed some light on his time at the Tigers? Does he hold a grudge for some reason?

 

[magpie_man]

there will be 3 independent directors to the 2 Wests and 2 balmain ones; if the indies try to push-through some hair-brained idea like shipping the tigers off to Perth, the Wests and balmain directors can simply band-together and outvote them 4:3.

 

[madunit]

Obviously MG is off his dial and the Magpies will never return, but can anyone shed some light on his time at the Tigers? Does he hold a grudge for some reason?

to put it succinctly.

Turned up
made an appearance
played like a busted
cashed cheque
repeat for Round 2.

Club ended up Sacking him when he couldn't be f**ked turning up to training in pre-season at the start of his second season.

He went and played for Umina then moved to the Reds where he found his grubby form again. Think he got suspended for a while for eye-gouging while at Perth?

Got an OA I believe for his services.

Which begs the question, why isn't Les Boyd knighted?

 

[madunit]

there will be 3 independent directors to the 2 Wests and 2 balmain ones; if the indies try to push-through some hair-brained idea like shipping the tigers off to Perth, the Wests and balmain directors can simply band-together and outvote them 4:3.

Balmain doesn't have any votes until they repay their debt to the NRL I believe.

That would mean we would be at the mercy of the Independent board members and Balmain and Wests will be powerless to stop them.

The bickering and bitching from both sides could see about the death of the side and then the most senior team for all three clubs will probably be SG Ball.

 

[The Charlatan]

Balmain doesn't have any votes until they repay their debt to the NRL I believe.

That would mean we would be at the mercy of the Independent board members and Balmain and Wests will be powerless to stop them.

The bickering and bitching from both sides could see about the death of the side and then the most senior team for all three clubs will probably be SG Ball.

Or the Magpies in RMC. It would be a fitting end to 15 years of boardroom subterfuge & sabotage.

 

[magpie_man]

Balmain doesn't have any votes until they repay their debt to the NRL I believe.

That would mean we would be at the mercy of the Independent board members and Balmain and Wests will be powerless to stop them.

The bickering and bitching from both sides could see about the death of the side and then the most senior team for all three clubs will probably be SG Ball.

I didn't realize that, it's a bit of a worrying situation to be in...

 

[Matchball]

I'm ok with the Balmain board not getting a vote. If anything goes to shit they can't be blamed for the mess.
Carry on.

 

[DanOz]

Balmain doesn't have any votes until they repay their debt to the NRL I believe.

That would mean we would be at the mercy of the Independent board members and Balmain and Wests will be powerless to stop them.

The bickering and bitching from both sides could see about the death of the side and then the most senior team for all three clubs will probably be SG Ball.

Correct me if I am wrong but if Balmain cant meet their debts don't Wests get options to have their board seats?

I hope so. The Balmain faithful need to remember this. Wests want them back to pay half the bills. They are not reverting back to a stand alone, so they want Balmain to get their shit together to pay half the bills.

 

[madunit]

i understood it that because the NRL paid Balmain's debts, the NRL would also have Balmain's seats in the board room until Balmain repaid the debt to the NRL.

 

[TYGA]

i understood it that because the NRL paid Balmain's debts, the NRL would also have Balmain's seats in the board room until Balmain repaid the debt to the NRL.

Madunit you are correct.

NRL get the Balmain Votes therefore they have total control of the club until loan is repaid.
I believe it is $8m ($4m Wests/$4m Balmain). If it cant be paid back (Balmain may not be solvent) there are two options.

1) Wests take all the risk of running the Rugby League Club by stumping up all the cash.
2) NRL take ownership of the club.

The risks are real that the club folds, reverts to Wests or gets relocated by the NRL.

As a fan I hope Balmain come good but if not I hope Wests Ashfield are interested in the RL club Wests Tigers. I fear they could care less about anything apart from those pokies in Ashfield.

 

[madunit]

I think Wests Ashfield will be happy to keep it as Wests Tigers....

 

[DanOz]

I think Wests Ashfield will be happy to keep it as Wests Tigers....

They have said as much. The new structure with the 3 independents assures as much. But if the NRL via these 3 independents tries to put too much pressure on Wests to keep funding the team in its current Balmain dominated structure then watch Wests bail out and the NRL relocate the Wests Tigers elsewhere.

Perhaps that is the NRL's agenda. Time will tell.