Rumours and Stuff

[Tiger5150]

Stunning Wests Tigers development with O’Farrell on verge of return, Marshall to extend​

Michael Chammas, Adrian Proszenko and Dan Walsh​

Updated December 10, 2025 — 8.31pm,

In a stunning turnaround, sacked Wests Tigers chairman Barry O’Farrell is on the verge of returning to his role after a series of crisis meetings between the NRL and Holman Barnes Group, the Tigers’ majority owner.
Just nine days after HBG punted O’Farrell and three other independent directors, the former NSW premier has been asked to return to the role for what will be his third stint as the leader of the joint venture.
This masthead has been told the NRL has relayed its concerns about the state of the club to HBG, with the conversations set to result in O’Farrell’s return.

It comes as the Wests Tigers are poised to extend the contract of coach Benji Marshall until the end of 2029 in a bid to provide stability at the embattled club.

Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall is staying for the long term.Credit:Getty Images
After more than a week of changes and adverse headlines, the Tigers are attempting to lock down their most important football roles by extending Marshall’s tenure and appointing Shaun Mielekamp as interim chief executive.
However, the biggest news for long-suffering fans will be revelations that Marshall will remain coach in the long term. Sources not authorised to speak publicly have told this masthead that club officials are deep in negotiations with Marshall and his management. While a contract has not yet been signed, all parties are hopeful of finalising an extension shortly.

That has been aided by Marshall’s ability to help attract talent, with Jarome Luai recently reiterating that playing under the former Golden Boot winner was one of the reasons why he chose to switch from four-time premiers Penrith. Terrell May, Sunia Turuva and Taylan May also said they were attracted by the opportunity to learn and play under the Kiwi international.
In making an early call on Marshall, Tigers officials hope several big-name stars – Luai and Jahream Bula in particular – decide to also commit to the club long term. Luai has a clause that allows him to leave the club at the end of 2025 if he chooses, while there is a mutual option in Bula’s contract for his services beyond next season.

O’Farrell, sacked directors make stunning return as Tigers confirm new Marshall deal

The deposed chairman and two of the three independent Wests Tigers directors sacked just 10 days ago will be reinstated to their positions on the board, as the club confirmed a new deal for coach Benji Marshall.

www.smh.com.au

*cough* 48 hrs

 

[LyonHeart]

Stunning Wests Tigers development with O’Farrell on verge of return, Marshall to extend​

Michael Chammas, Adrian Proszenko and Dan Walsh​

Updated December 10, 2025 — 8.31pm,

In a stunning turnaround, sacked Wests Tigers chairman Barry O’Farrell is on the verge of returning to his role after a series of crisis meetings between the NRL and Holman Barnes Group, the Tigers’ majority owner.
Just nine days after HBG punted O’Farrell and three other independent directors, the former NSW premier has been asked to return to the role for what will be his third stint as the leader of the joint venture.
This masthead has been told the NRL has relayed its concerns about the state of the club to HBG, with the conversations set to result in O’Farrell’s return.

It comes as the Wests Tigers are poised to extend the contract of coach Benji Marshall until the end of 2029 in a bid to provide stability at the embattled club.

Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall is staying for the long term.Credit:Getty Images
After more than a week of changes and adverse headlines, the Tigers are attempting to lock down their most important football roles by extending Marshall’s tenure and appointing Shaun Mielekamp as interim chief executive.
However, the biggest news for long-suffering fans will be revelations that Marshall will remain coach in the long term. Sources not authorised to speak publicly have told this masthead that club officials are deep in negotiations with Marshall and his management. While a contract has not yet been signed, all parties are hopeful of finalising an extension shortly.

That has been aided by Marshall’s ability to help attract talent, with Jarome Luai recently reiterating that playing under the former Golden Boot winner was one of the reasons why he chose to switch from four-time premiers Penrith. Terrell May, Sunia Turuva and Taylan May also said they were attracted by the opportunity to learn and play under the Kiwi international.
In making an early call on Marshall, Tigers officials hope several big-name stars – Luai and Jahream Bula in particular – decide to also commit to the club long term. Luai has a clause that allows him to leave the club at the end of 2025 if he chooses, while there is a mutual option in Bula’s contract for his services beyond next season.

O’Farrell, sacked directors make stunning return as Tigers confirm new Marshall deal

The deposed chairman and two of the three independent Wests Tigers directors sacked just 10 days ago will be reinstated to their positions on the board, as the club confirmed a new deal for coach Benji Marshall.

www.smh.com.au

what an absolute basket case of a club

 

[King-Gutho94]

Nope not happening

Benny's hope of being chairman lasted as long as it takes people to realise his backdoored it out of a joint.

 

[LyonHeart]

and Benji getting an extension. You're kidding me. Finished below the Eels in a transition year with Moses missing most of the season

 

[Soren Lorenson]

Speak for yourself, I still lift regularly.

I wrestle. I’ll also be fine.

 

[Tiger5150]

what an absolute basket case of a club

Which is/was the whole point of the independent board and chairman

 

[King-Gutho94]

and Benji getting an extension. You're kidding me. Finished below the Eels in a transition year with Moses missing most of the season

Benji has played this as beautifully as a GF flick pass.

His got all the key important players on his side ready to die for him.

Throw it out in the media your contemplating your future with this mess going on.

Get the media to then feed some nonsense 7 players are going to walk.

Same day Wests Tigers -

Hey Benji we can't afford for you to go anywhere as it will piss off all the players here is another 2 years on your contract to take you to 2029.

 

[Tiger5150]

Benji has played this as beautifully as a GF flick pass.

His got all the key important players on his side ready to die for him.

Throw it out in the media your contemplating your future with this mess going on.

Get the media to then feed some nonsense 7 players are going to walk.

Same day Wests Tigers -

Hey Benji we can't afford for you to go anywhere as it will piss off all the players here is another 2 years on your contract to take you to 2029.

Benji isnt getting an extension yet.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Former Test star Ben Elias emerges as frontrunner in Wests Tigers chairman search​

In what shapes as the most important decision in the Wests Tigers’ tumultuous history, the club have launched their search for a new chairman, with a former legend among the leading candidates.

In arguably the most important decision in the club’s tumultuous 25-year history, the haemorrhaging Wests Tigers have launched their search for a new chairman with a former Test star the leading contender to claim the position.
This masthead had been told three candidates for the club’s top job are Ben Elias, Leo Epifania and Dennis Burgess.
Burgess, who may struggle to claim the chairmanship after revelations emerged last weekend that his Instagram account follows hundreds of sexually explicit pages, is chairman of Wests Magpies and Holman Barnes Group, while Epifania is on the Wests Tigers board and Elias is a Tigers legend with a powerful business CV.

View attachment 108370

When contacted about the possibility of becoming Wests Tigers chairman, Elias would only say: “It would be an honour and privilege to be chair of such a great club. We need to make some strong decisions and we need to do it soon because the NRL kicks off in less than three months’ time.
“I am totally supportive of Benji Marshall and the priority for the club is to put out these fires and move forward in a positive manner.”

View attachment 108371
Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall is known to be fed-up trying to protect his players from the boardroom drama.
A rally to protest how the club is being run will be held at 10.30am this Saturday where fans will march 1km from Pratten Park to Wests Leagues, Ashfield to demand that Holman Barnes Group directors resign.
“At this rally, fans and members will call on Peter V’landys and the NRL, as well as Liquor and Gaming NSW, to intervene and fix the shambolic governance of Wests Tigers once and for all,” said Inner West Mayor, Darcy Byrne.

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/former-test-star-ben-elias-emerges-as-frontrunner-in-wests-tigers-chairman-search/news-story/e7bdb49cc1fa2c13964315ae4d29a987?amp

There was a time when this sort of shit used to happen at our club and everyone would be excited at the possibility of bringing in new merkins who would finally sort it all out.

 

[Tiger5150]

There was a time when this sort of shit used to happen at our club and everyone would be excited at the possibility of bringing in new merkins who would finally sort it all out.

Thats the whole point for Tigers fans, we had that moment two years ago and brought in the independent merkins who sorted out the old HBG merkins, and they were sorting it out, until these HBG merkins sorted them out.

 

[LyonHeart]

Benji isnt getting an extension yet.

Tigers will bend over for him quicker than Bonnie Blue would

 

[Eelementary]

And yet you keep posting about them....

Keep?

I made one post.

Boy, you're in MY house - you best watch your manners, son.

 

[Zoso]

Seven figure offer allegedly.

Eels table mammoth four-year deal for Rabbitohs star

A new suitor has emerged for the signature of one of the game’s hottest off-contract forwards.

www.smh.com.au

 

[Johnny88]

Parramatta have tabled Keaon Koloamatangi a monster four-year offer in a bid to prise the representative forward out of South Sydney.
Koloamatangi is one of the biggest NRL stars off contract at the end of next season and his stocks rose further when he impressed during the Kangaroos’ recent undefeated tour of England. St George Illawarra have also made no secret of their desire to sign him and even flew him by helicopter to tour their facilities.

The Eels are keen to snare Souths star Keaon Koloamatangi.Credit:Louise Kennerley
The Roosters are also monitoring the situation, given forward Angus Crichton is off contract and considering a switch to rugby at the end of next season. Perth also inquired about 27-year-old Koloamatangi’s plans, but were told he wants to remain in Sydney.
However, the Eels are shaping as a genuine threat to South Sydney’s bid to retain the former NSW and Tonga star. Sources not authorised to speak publicly told this masthead the Eels have weighed in with a four-year offer worth seven figures a season.
Parramatta officials, including coach Jason Ryles, have met with Koloamatangi and his manager.
The Eels – who have extended the tenure of exciting fullback Isaiah Iongi until the end of 2030 – have money to spend after releasing winger Zac Lomax from his contract. Under the terms of the release, Lomax cannot play for another NRL club until 2028 without Parramatta’s permission. However, it is unlikely the former Dragon will return to the Eels, despite his mooted destination, the breakaway Rugby 360 competition, no longer being an immediate option after its start date was delayed until 2028.

The Rabbitohs are desperate to retain Koloamatangi, but could rue their decision not to finalise a contract extension before November 1.

“I’m sure everyone at the club is doing everything they can to keep him here. We as a playing group want to keep him, he’s done a fantastic job for us over the years, probably been in the top three or four players at our club last season.

Eels table mammoth four-year deal for Rabbitohs star

A new suitor has emerged for the signature of one of the game’s hottest off-contract forwards.

www.smh.com.au

 

[King-Gutho94]

Benji isnt getting an extension yet.

And why should he

Benji still has 2 more years to go.

Whats he actually proven to warrant a further 2 years atm.

By the time his current contract ends that will be 4 years in the role. I think thats a long enough to judge the progress.

End of next year will be a fair indication of where Benji's coaching is at to make any call on extensions.

 

[King-Gutho94]

Parramatta have tabled Keaon Koloamatangi a monster four-year offer in a bid to prise the representative forward out of South Sydney.
Koloamatangi is one of the biggest NRL stars off contract at the end of next season and his stocks rose further when he impressed during the Kangaroos’ recent undefeated tour of England. St George Illawarra have also made no secret of their desire to sign him and even flew him by helicopter to tour their facilities.

The Eels are keen to snare Souths star Keaon Koloamatangi.Credit:Louise Kennerley
The Roosters are also monitoring the situation, given forward Angus Crichton is off contract and considering a switch to rugby at the end of next season. Perth also inquired about 27-year-old Koloamatangi’s plans, but were told he wants to remain in Sydney.
However, the Eels are shaping as a genuine threat to South Sydney’s bid to retain the former NSW and Tonga star. Sources not authorised to speak publicly told this masthead the Eels have weighed in with a four-year offer worth seven figures a season.
Parramatta officials, including coach Jason Ryles, have met with Koloamatangi and his manager.
The Eels – who have extended the tenure of exciting fullback Isaiah Iongi until the end of 2030 – have money to spend after releasing winger Zac Lomax from his contract. Under the terms of the release, Lomax cannot play for another NRL club until 2028 without Parramatta’s permission. However, it is unlikely the former Dragon will return to the Eels, despite his mooted destination, the breakaway Rugby 360 competition, no longer being an immediate option after its start date was delayed until 2028.

The Rabbitohs are desperate to retain Koloamatangi, but could rue their decision not to finalise a contract extension before November 1.

“I’m sure everyone at the club is doing everything they can to keep him here. We as a playing group want to keep him, he’s done a fantastic job for us over the years, probably been in the top three or four players at our club last season.

Eels table mammoth four-year deal for Rabbitohs star

A new suitor has emerged for the signature of one of the game’s hottest off-contract forwards.

www.smh.com.au

I heard a rumour 6 weeks ago the Roosters were sniffing.

This is the first time they have been linked publicly with Keaon.

And its perfect for Uncle Nick he never misses out on his man just lurking in the background while the Dragons/Eels get publicly linked suits his style perfectly to swoop in.

And obivously could match most offers if they wanted.

Perhaps the hold up is Angus Crichton future if he goes to Rugby then the roosters have the money and spot available to Keaon.

 

[Grigor]

There was a time when this sort of shit used to happen at our club and everyone would be excited at the possibility of bringing in new merkins who would finally sort it all out.

There was a time when you could read this forum and it was about the eels as well and now because of one tigers fan on here hundreds have to see what goes on at a club which is a joke , sad days

 

[Twizzle]

It’s a jungle out there.

Nice theme song, perhaps they should get the Carlton Underbelly crew to run the club, then heads will literally roll.

 

[Gazzamatta]

.

Nope not happening

Heard some good reports of this Shaun Mielekamp. What's your opinion mate?

 

[Gazzamatta]

Benji has played this as beautifully as a GF flick pass.

His got all the key important players on his side ready to die for him.

Throw it out in the media your contemplating your future with this mess going on.

Get the media to then feed some nonsense 7 players are going to walk.

Same day Wests Tigers -

Hey Benji we can't afford for you to go anywhere as it will piss off all the players here is another 2 years on your contract to take you to 2029.

If only he was as smart a coach.