Tigers launch external review after miserable season; Manly prop on cusp of exit
By Adam Pengilly
September 14, 2023 — 7.45pm
A powerful group of Wests Tigers owners met with frustrated supporters before commissioning a review into the governance of the embattled club, which could have major implications for how it is run.
Less than a fortnight after their second straight wooden spoon, the majority shareholders in the Tigers announced on Thursday they had contracted ex-NRL executive Tony Crawford to put the club’s structure under the microscope.
The independent review is the most significant step taken by the club after claiming a second straight wooden spoon. No timeline has been given for a report to be tabled.
But amid further changes within the football department - the Tigers have told Alex Twal he is free to leave before the end of his contract and assistant coach David Furner has been axed with a year left on his deal - the spotlight will now fall on its off-field operations.
The fact the review has been instigated by the Holman Barnes Group, the trading name for Western Suburbs Leagues Club Limited, which owns 90 per cent of the Wests Tigers, is the first sign of a potential summer of change looming at the joint venture.
“The board of the Holman Barnes Group has commissioned an independent report into the governance of Wests Tigers,” a statement provided to this masthead said.
“The board would like to thank all members and fans of Wests Tigers for their feedback in relation to this matter, especially all those that took the time to sign the petition that was submitted through the hosts of Wests Tigers podcast. While we are unable to set a specific timeframe for the completion of the report, we are hopeful it is completed in a timely manner.”
Gary Barnier, the former chief executive of Australia’s largest aged care chain and managing director of Cooperage Capital, will join Crawford for the review.
The Tigers have faced increasing public protests from frustrated fans, whose side has missed the NRL finals for 12 straight seasons and have Benji Marshall taking over as head coach next season.
Supporters vented their fury at chief executive Justin Pascoe, in particular, with banners inside stadiums during the final weeks of the season.
On the field, the Tigers are preparing to move on one of their longest-serving players after this masthead revealed rival clubs had been alerted to cult hero Twal’s availability despite having another year to run on his deal.
According to club sources speaking on the condition of anonymity due to the private negotiations, the Sea Eagles had expressed an interest in adding the Lebanese international to their roster.
It comes as Manly prop Sean Keppie became the latest player to be given the green light to speak to rival clubs despite being under contract on the northern beaches until the end of 2026.
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The Sea Eagles only upgraded Keppie’s contract late last year, but he’s landed on the radar of the Tigers as both clubs seek to reshape their forward packs.
Furner’s time at the Tigers is over after Marshall told the veteran coach he wouldn’t be required to finish the last 12 months of his deal as an assistant, with ex-South Sydney staffer John Morris arriving at his old club.
Furner, the former Raiders and Leeds coach has admirers at the Rabbitohs, was discussed internally at South Sydney as a potential replacement for Sam Burgess, who walked out on the club with one match left of the regular season.
But NSW Cup coach Joe O’Callaghan is considered the favourite to step up to Jason Demetriou’s staff after leading the Rabbitohs to the second tier grand final on Sunday week.
Meanwhile, the Tigers insist they have no intention of letting schoolboy sensation Lachlan Galvin leave the club before next season after the playmaker starred in Westfields Sports High School’s national title win on Wednesday.
Galvin will move into the Tigers’ top 30 next year.
The majority owners of the Wests Tigers have listened to fan fury as a contender emerged for the signature of cult hero Alex Twal.
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