What's new
The Front Row Forums

Register a free account today to become a member of the world's largest Rugby League discussion forum! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Rumours (signings, sackings & other NRL stuff)

Ron's_Mate

Bench
Messages
4,109
More boardroom dramas as civil war erupts at Wests Tigers’ owners
By Adrian Proszenko
November 7, 2024 — 9.54pm

A civil war has erupted at the owners of Wests Tigers after the Holman Barnes Group moved to cancel the memberships of three directors.

Staff at three of the venues owned by the Holman Barnes Group [HBG], including Wests Ashfield, have been instructed not to allow Rick Wayde, Tony Andreacchio and David Gilbert from entering the premises.

HBG is formerly known as the Wests Ashfield Leagues Club and is the main financial backer of the Wests Tigers, with Balmain Tigers RLFC owning a minor share.

Gilbert is also a director of the Wests Tigers, who are attempting yet another rebuild after earning three consecutive wooden spoons. The three directors are expected to contest the decision.

This masthead attempted to contact Wayde, Andreacchio and Gilbert, as well as HSG CEO Simon Cook and chair Julie Romero.

The latest development is yet another political skirmish that began when the factions were battling for control of Wests Tigers.

The NRL club has a long history of tension between the Wests and Balmain sides of the joint venture; as late as August, Balmain director Gery Leo called for Balmain to immediately sever ties with the Western Suburbs side of the merger.

Wests Tigers received a huge shake-up of its management and boardroom last year when long-time chief executive Justin Pascoe and chairman Lee Hagipantelis were removed from their positions following an independent review of the club.

The current Wests Tigers chair, Barry O’Farrell, will be expected to reapply for his position as the HSG also seeks to appoint new independent directors. O’Farrell, who has acted as chair in a previous stint at the club, is expected to go through a process that will require him to meet a skills matrix.

The Tigers are yet to announce a new major sponsor for next year, a position that has been filled by Hagipantelis’ firm, Brydens Lawyers.

There are concerns that the latest round of infighting is an unwanted distraction to the football program overseen by Tigers CEO Shane Richardson and coach Benji Marshall. The first wave of Tigers players returned to preseason training this week.

 
Messages
16,921
More boardroom dramas as civil war erupts at Wests Tigers’ owners
By Adrian Proszenko
November 7, 2024 — 9.54pm

A civil war has erupted at the owners of Wests Tigers after the Holman Barnes Group moved to cancel the memberships of three directors.

Staff at three of the venues owned by the Holman Barnes Group [HBG], including Wests Ashfield, have been instructed not to allow Rick Wayde, Tony Andreacchio and David Gilbert from entering the premises.

HBG is formerly known as the Wests Ashfield Leagues Club and is the main financial backer of the Wests Tigers, with Balmain Tigers RLFC owning a minor share.

Gilbert is also a director of the Wests Tigers, who are attempting yet another rebuild after earning three consecutive wooden spoons. The three directors are expected to contest the decision.

This masthead attempted to contact Wayde, Andreacchio and Gilbert, as well as HSG CEO Simon Cook and chair Julie Romero.

The latest development is yet another political skirmish that began when the factions were battling for control of Wests Tigers.

The NRL club has a long history of tension between the Wests and Balmain sides of the joint venture; as late as August, Balmain director Gery Leo called for Balmain to immediately sever ties with the Western Suburbs side of the merger.

Wests Tigers received a huge shake-up of its management and boardroom last year when long-time chief executive Justin Pascoe and chairman Lee Hagipantelis were removed from their positions following an independent review of the club.

The current Wests Tigers chair, Barry O’Farrell, will be expected to reapply for his position as the HSG also seeks to appoint new independent directors. O’Farrell, who has acted as chair in a previous stint at the club, is expected to go through a process that will require him to meet a skills matrix.

The Tigers are yet to announce a new major sponsor for next year, a position that has been filled by Hagipantelis’ firm, Brydens Lawyers.

There are concerns that the latest round of infighting is an unwanted distraction to the football program overseen by Tigers CEO Shane Richardson and coach Benji Marshall. The first wave of Tigers players returned to preseason training this week.

Thanks for posting,…never a dull moment under our esteemed leadership.

Must be a reason for HBG to lock out the good ol boys?

This is a long way from over.

Us rank and file, we slurp our milkshakes and watch yet another power play unfold.

Business as usual (sigh).
 

Nutz

First Grade
Messages
5,072
I seem to remember a condition for Richo coming to the club was that the board would not be pulling the shit they are pulling at the moment.

99% of the fanbase have had a gutful of this Wests/Balmain crap. Let's get on with it boys or pull the pin for a more worthy new club entry.
Who are these Balmain and Western Suburbs teams they keep talking about?
Never heard of em.
 

Wizardman

First Grade
Messages
9,295
I don't think it has anything to do with the Balmain side. I think it's Wests Tigers being dickheads but I don't give a shit. All I care about is on field performance.
It is amazing how often a strong front office and strong football department go hand in hand.
 

Das Hassler

Bench
Messages
3,278
Seems like all are Magpies side of the club. I wonder if they got caught trying to enact a coup and got found out or double crossed

If there are any board members and / or officials ( which i have zero doubt there are) who are wedging any doors open for a move to go back to either Wests Magpies or Balmain ..who came last and 3rd last respectfully in their last year then Wests Tigers won't be getting another cent from me anytime soon no matter how many Luai's are signed.
Wests Tigers HAS TO purge the partisan office holders out of the place...if they're not 110% committed to being in THIS century and working for the longterm success of Wests Tigers alone then they should be on the next Uber out!!
 
Last edited:

Tiger05

First Grade
Messages
9,609
It is amazing how often a strong front office and strong football department go hand in hand.

A couple of points here:-

1. We are discussing the board and not the front office. That would be Richo and his team. Richo has also stated the coach is the most important person in the club.
2. This is a belief that people have but beliefs and facts backed up with data are two different things. One thing I've learned over the last 5 years or so is that facts (unbiased data) matter to me.

So I'll just do what I do each year and ignore the BS off field shit and hope the team performs. My expectations are higher now as well because I think we have a better team. My concern is the coaching staff.
 

BrotherJim05

Bench
Messages
3,442
I'm hearing a lot of rumours about Terrell May and Hetherington, but does anyone know if we are trying to get both? I imagine it will be dependent on whether we can move certain players on.

Bateman is the obvious choice. Not sure what team would take him though.

Sullivan isn't going anywhere. If he could barely stand out in NSW cup I don't see him getting more than 250k at another club

Would probably have to be Doeuihi, although I'm not happy about it as he is one of the very few players that actually love our club

Then there is a bunch of players who I've never heard of. Why the fk did we sign so many unknowns to our Top 30?

If we are able to have our cake and eat it to, this could potentially be who we roll out with for 2025:

1. Bula
2. Skelton
3. Doeuihi
4. Olam
5. Turuva
6. Galvin
7. Luai
8. May*
9. Api
10. Pole
11. Fainu
12. Bird
13. Hetherington*

14. TDS
15. Hunt
16. Twal
17. Seyfarth/Klemmer
 

Tigerm

Coach
Messages
10,596
I'm hearing a lot of rumours about Terrell May and Hetherington, but does anyone know if we are trying to get both? I imagine it will be dependent on whether we can move certain players on.

Bateman is the obvious choice. Not sure what team would take him though.

Sullivan isn't going anywhere. If he could barely stand out in NSW cup I don't see him getting more than 250k at another club

Would probably have to be Doeuihi, although I'm not happy about it as he is one of the very few players that actually love our club

Then there is a bunch of players who I've never heard of. Why the fk did we sign so many unknowns to our Top 30?

If we are able to have our cake and eat it to, this could potentially be who we roll out with for 2025:

1. Bula
2. Skelton
3. Doeuihi
4. Olam
5. Turuva
6. Galvin
7. Luai
8. May*
9. Api
10. Pole
11. Fainu
12. Bird
13. Hetherington*

14. TDS
15. Hunt
16. Twal
17. Seyfarth/Klemmer
There is chatter about Manly wanting Bateman, but it's gone cold lately.
Hetherington is a hot tip, I understand, but again only chatter.
May has been mentioned, but only with a bunch of other clubs.
I believe Doeuihi's contract is only a minor one, but there is interest from the Drags.
They have offered Sullivan out for half of his contract, I believe.
I believe Naden and Staines have been told they can have a look around?

But it's all gone quiet, so who knows?
 
Messages
16,921
There is chatter about Manly wanting Bateman, but it's gone cold lately.
Hetherington is a hot tip, I understand, but again only chatter.
May has been mentioned, but only with a bunch of other clubs.
I believe Doeuihi's contract is only a minor one, but there is interest from the Drags.
They have offered Sullivan out for half of his contract, I believe.
I believe Naden and Staines have been told they can have a look around?

But it's all gone quiet, so who knows?
It’s a sensitive time in clubland. A lot of movements and clean outs. Richo is a veteran campaigner, knows the ropes. He’s always said he will keep mum so not to thwart our own chances.

We will have targets within our broader plans I’d think, but it’s a puzzle and only a select few really know what’s happening or who we have prioritised and what we are prepared to pay.

I was reading recently that the NAB are struggling with record home loan debt. You don’t see that on ads on the internet.

Players might want to reassess their value.
 

Nutz

First Grade
Messages
5,072
There is chatter about Manly wanting Bateman, but it's gone cold lately.
Hetherington is a hot tip, I understand, but again only chatter.
May has been mentioned, but only with a bunch of other clubs.
I believe Doeuihi's contract is only a minor one, but there is interest from the Drags.
They have offered Sullivan out for half of his contract, I believe.
I believe Naden and Staines have been told they can have a look around?

But it's all gone quiet, so who knows?
Hetherington is staying at Brisbane in 2025 amid interest from Wests Tigers and Dragons. Madge spoke with him last week and apparently he's staying at Red Hill.
 

WA Tiger

Bench
Messages
4,705
Anyone in any job where your under the thumb of someone else will at times wish they wernt there..may doesn’t drink so with an honest and clear head he just said it..precious Robbo (assuming that was the reason)
 
Last edited:
Top