Wests Tigers club news

[Nutz]

I wonder who leaked this.....?

Reid, Carrianus, it's on YouTube. Richo would have had his manager leak stuff too.

 

[Shredder]

Why would Richo want this out?

 

[Ned Kelly]

Wests Tigers CEO Richardson at centre of NRL integrity unit probe after whistleblower tip-off

The NRL integrity unit has conducted several preliminary interviews over concerns about the conduct of CEO Shane Richardson and senior staff.

www.smh.com.au

"Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson is at the centre of an NRL Integrity Unit probe to determine whether there are grounds to investigate the veteran administrator following a whistleblower tip-off over his conduct."

Wow. What convenient timing for the HBG.

I don't need to wait until Monday. I will no longer be a fan of the Tigers. This is too nuts ( no offense Nutz).
Whatever the results I can't see us being a top 8 squad for another 15 years if ever.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

Wests Tigers CEO Richardson at centre of NRL integrity unit probe after whistleblower tip-off

The NRL integrity unit has conducted several preliminary interviews over concerns about the conduct of CEO Shane Richardson and senior staff.

www.smh.com.au

"Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson is at the centre of an NRL Integrity Unit probe to determine whether there are grounds to investigate the veteran administrator following a whistleblower tip-off over his conduct."

Wow. What convenient timing for the HBG.

I don't need to wait until Monday. I will no longer be a fan of the Tigers. This is too nuts ( no offense Nutz).
Whatever the results I can't see us being a top 8 squad for another 15 years if ever.

Ffs stand your ground Ned.

WT fans and members, we die on our feet.

No cowardice in the ranks.

Anyone who retreats in battle, I’ll take them out myself.

I didn’t join this club to have a good time.

I signed up to make a difference.

I signed up to stand shoulder to shoulder with the brave and best fans in this man’s NRL.

Besides, I’ll miss you.

 

[macnaz]

Nutz , make a statement and contact them to cancel your membership, the more people that do the better

 

[TheDefinitionOfMadness]

Yes, all roads lead to Rome.

Or Ashfield?

 

[RedVee]

Go way back when I said this would evolve.
There is a divide between the old Balmain and Western Suburbs Magpies. Even at all this time, idiots like Burgess are dragging the joint venture into the ground.
Yes , they know how to run pokie machines because they have thousands of willing people in their catchment to throw their money away, it must be easy to open a machine and take the money out. They don't know how to run a football club though.
Now the independents who were brought in to stabilise the issues are sacked. IDIOTS!
There will always be an us and them when you have split destinations for home grounds, two different jerseys, no joint reserve grade and so on.
It was reveiled last week that when the supporters were shouting tigers tigers tigers at a CS game, a corporate box full of board members were shouting magpies magpies magpies.
The joint venture at the beginning was made that the club be named Wests to satisfy those Magpie supporters and the Logo be Tigers.
We have a Magpie on our merch. So it could be called The Balmain Western Suburbs Tiger Magpies....trying chanting that.
At the time when the joint venture started the tigers were a stronger club than the maggies and more marketable. The Balmain Leagues Club burnt down and the area became less of an entertainment precinct.
No income meant increased debt.
Both clubs knew what they were getting themselves into and now the board are talking about bringing back the Magpies.
The NRL have to take over the Wests Tigers and deregister the the HBG until someone buys it. Probably Landy
Melbourne are in a non NRL state and are opposed by a lot of Aussie Rules supporters but it has worked. Do you hear constant crap about that club.
On the other hand, St George Illawarra's marriage semed to have worked too, why's that @RedVee ?
Why doesn't Burgess and the HBG stop meddling with the very two that got this club out of the gutter, our CEO and ex chairmain.
Where's the proof that these sacked board members had been warned about the lack of communication, especially the jersey.... don't the board have to sign off on important decisions like the new seasons jerseys?
Come next week, our CEO will resign because his good mate ex chairman has been sacked and Richo has clauses in his contract, so has Bula and our captain. They go and Benji might go too.
I am regretting renewing my membership now.

G’day mate, there is still a fair bit of angst amongst Dragons fans in regards to the JV.

But we have officially, ie from the Chairs voice, ceased being a JV and are just a Club now. Unofficially as soon as something bad happens - ie almost constantly since 2019 - fans (at least the fans) tend to devolve back into “us and them” factions.

We are a more successful union to outside eyes because the club itself keeps fairly quiet, and when compared to Northern Eagles and Wests Tigers I guess we are more successful (rather than successful per se) in getting along.

Remember too, the Steelers are gone, the club is owned by St George DRLFC and Birketu PL (owned by the family that also owns WIN). If that makes a difference? Maybe it does.

Personally, every time I start despairing over my Dragons the WT’s shoot themselves in the foot (spectacularly!) and take the attention away.

Not sure that makes any sense.

 

[TheDefinitionOfMadness]

You dead set could not make this stuff up.

As the Vietnam vets say, SNAFU.

 

[Nutz]

Why would Richo want this out?

It's just my gut feeling Shreds, because the HBG is destabilizing everything he and a smart ex politician chairman has tried to fix.
Richo keeps saying that our membership is up and we finally made a profit. Then the board made a press release a couple if days ago by saying basically who cares, it's the long term picture that we are looking at.
What long term picture is that??????
Richo's regime looks more impressive now than ever and would be snapped up in a blink of an eye, possibly new clubs or other struggling clubs. He's a winner.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

G’day mate, there is still a fair bit of angst amongst Dragons fans in regards to the JV.

But we have officially, ie from the Chairs voice, ceased being a JV and are just a Club now. Unofficially as soon as something bad happens - ie almost constantly since 2019 - fans (at least the fans) tend to devolve back into “us and them” factions.

We are a more successful union to outside eyes because the club itself keeps fairly quiet, and when compared to Northern Eagles and Wests Tigers I guess we are more successful (rather than successful per se) in getting along.

Remember too, the Steelers are gone, the club is owned by St George DRLFC and Birketu PL (owned by the family that also owns WIN). If that makes a difference? Maybe it does.

Personally, every time I start despairing over my Dragons the WT’s shoot themselves in the foot (spectacularly!) and take the attention away.

Not sure that makes any sense.

Thanks for being there for us.

 

[Ned Kelly]

Besides, I’ll miss you.

The only reason I would keep coming back to this forum is because I would miss everyone here.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

The only reason I would keep coming back to this forum is because I would miss everyone here.

Pretty close to my thoughts too.

I had a membership enquiry today and it seems to me that they under the pump.

So I wished the WT membership team workers well and the person was very grateful.

It’s not the best that the empire puts them in this position. Now even Richo has to clear his name.

It’s every person for themselves at the moment.

Theres no justice, its just us.

 

[Tigerm]

NRL integrity unit commence Shane Richardson probe

He has been CEO of the Tigers for over a year.

www.zerotackle.com

It's understood that Richardson declared the conflict of interest, but new concerns have been raised over the amount of money being paid to the Enrichd Group for their marketing, branding and digital consultancy services.
----------------
The herald info is behind a paywall, which I can't access, because I wouldn't waste my money.

 

[Tigerm]

‘This is why I had clauses’: Tigers’ infighting could cost them three best juniors... and Luai is next

‘This is why I had clauses’: Tigers’ infighting could cost them three best juniors... and Luai is next

www.foxsports.com.au

IMO, once they use the word "could" in a statement, generally means they're talking through there arse.
However, this player leaving crap (Bula & Luai) may have some strength to it, especially if Benji goes.
It's becoming a real shit fight.
I think in the short term, we can survive without Richo (as most of the contracts are already in place), but not Benji, though I have stated previously, I really hope they both stay.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

If Richo has done the wrong thing, the article says we can sack him and not pay him out.

He should probably get legal advice to see what his best options are.

Sometimes you can do wrong thing and not know it. I’m prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt at this point. I’ve had my professional differences with him, but I’ve never alleged he was a crook. Allegations are not proof.

I’ll be completely gutted if he’s proven to have been up to no good.

I know he skates close to the wind and being CEO can be like that, but I’d always thought he had our best interests at heart.

Yet the people pissing on our club from the outside, they can quite frankly f**k off. This is our business.

No surrender lads, we die on our feet.

 

[TheDefinitionOfMadness]

NRL integrity unit commence Shane Richardson probe

He has been CEO of the Tigers for over a year.

www.zerotackle.com

It's understood that Richardson declared the conflict of interest, but new concerns have been raised over the amount of money being paid to the Enrichd Group for their marketing, branding and digital consultancy services.
----------------
The herald info is behind a paywall, which I can't access, because I wouldn't waste my money.

The Herald article provides a bit more info. I was over at a mate's place who subscribes and read it there so can't post. Maybe Ron's mate will upload it later.

In a nutshell:

* A whistleblower has lodged a complaint with the NRL over payments made by WT to the company mentioned in the article, which is owned by Richo's son. Although Zero Tackle says Richo is still involved financially in that business, my understanding was he ceased all involvement when he joined WT. The Herald didn't mention this.
* They didn't lodge a complaint with WT, as the article states Richo dismantled our whistleblower system upon arrival.
* It also states the whistleblower is represented by none other than the Fedora F@#ktard - former chairman Lee.
* The article states documents relating to the allegations have been provided to the NRL

So it appears, if guilty, good old Richo has engaged in a bit of invoice padding to benefit his son's business. Or possibly paid invoices for no show work. These are both serious no-no's and would likely result in criminal charges. The allegation could also be that he engaged his son's company excessively / unnecessarily which would be more open to interpretation. If it's true that he dismantled the WT whistleblower program, that's a major no-no and will likely attract the attention of APRA. How ex-chairman Lee got involved with the whistleblower is anyone's guess.

Of course, everyone is entitled to the presumption of innocence until guilt is proven.

The timing is somewhat coincidental given other events occurring at the club. I did see a number of FB posts over the last 3 days that were very pro-HBG that said all is not as it seems and that in a few days time everything would become much clearer. I guess this is what they meant. Funny how they had advance inside knowledge of a whistleblower complaint.

The Chinese say "may you live in interesting times" I'd prefer to live in winning times, with a side order of quiet stability. And some steamed dim sims.

 

[Ron's_Mate]

The Herald article provides a bit more info. I was over at a mate's place who subscribes and read it there so can't post. Maybe Ron's mate will upload it later.

here you go...

Wests Tigers CEO Richardson at centre of NRL integrity unit probe after whistleblower tip-off
By Michael Chammas
December 5, 2025 — 8.46am

Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson is at the centre of an NRL integrity unit probe to determine whether there are grounds to investigate the veteran administrator following a whistleblower tip-off over his conduct.

The NRL integrity unit has conducted several preliminary interviews following a whistleblower tip-off that raised serious concerns about the conduct of Richardson and senior staff at the embattled club.

It comes as Richardson prepares to walk away from the club following Monday’s decision by the Holman Barnes Group, the majority owner of the Tigers, to remove four independent directors, including chairman Barry O’Farrell.

HBG is making its own contingency plans in preparation for Richardson’s potential exit and are considering parachuting recently departed Manly CEO Tony Mestrov into an interim role while they search for a full-time replacement, should his time at the club come to an end.

The Holman Barnes Group is aware of the allegations against Richardson and is making its own inquiries, which could impact Richardson’s potential seven-figure termination payout.

“The Holman Barnes Group is aware of the NRL’s interest in this matter and at this point in time we cannot comment,” HBG deputy chairman Francesco Primerano said.

Sources with knowledge of the matter, talking on the condition of anonymity due to confidentiality, say questions have been raised about the club’s finances under Richardson – in particular invoices paid to a company he part owns with his son, Brent.

While Richardson has declared the potential conflict of interest to the board, a club informant has raised concerns about the amount of money being paid to the Enrichd Group for their marketing, branding and digital consultancy services.

The NRL integrity unit has also been made aware of information regarding Wests Tigers’ employment of up to two other members of Richardson’s family.

Richardson declined to comment when contacted.

The Herald has also been told that Richardson, after speaking to this masthead, has since accused a former staff member of being the whistleblower and used Wests Tigers funds to send off a legal threat this week.

That former employee has since reached out to ex-Wests Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis for legal advice and representation. Hagipantelis declined to comment.

The NRL is taking the matter seriously and has spoken to current and former Wests Tigers staff about the issue. The matter has also reached members of the ARL Commission.

The NRL received the tip-off through the code’s private whistleblower hotline and is understood to be in possession of evidence that will be pivotal to any potential future investigation if deemed necessary.

Wests Tigers used to have a whistleblower hotline through Core Integrity, however the club decided to end its arrangement when Richardson took over from previous CEO Justin Pascoe.

The NRL’s Whistleblower Policy was set up to provide a process for people to raise concerns regarding suspected misconduct involving the NRL or the ARLC.

The policy states that a person may make a report if they have reasonable grounds to suspect that a director, officer, employee, contractor, supplier or other person who has business dealings with the NRL or ARLC has engaged in misconduct or an improper state of affairs.

Richardson is one of the longest serving administrators in rugby league but has endured a difficult season after his desperate bid to retain Lachlan Galvin was rejected by the teenager and his management, culminating in the young half’s mid-season exit to the Bulldogs.

Richardson’s future is now in the spotlight, with HBG directors frustrated with his approach and lack of communication and transparency with the owners.

In an interview with the Herald on Thursday, HBG chief executive Daniel Paton admitted that the owners were blindsided.

“Now, there’s an agreement between Wests Tigers and Holman Barnes Group where certain decisions that are made need to come back to the owner for approval. That simply hasn’t been happening,” Paton said.

“And I can give an example of that – the stadium policy around Leichhardt Oval. So the announcement was that Leichhardt Oval would be the home of Wests Tigers for the next 15 years. The Holman Barnes Group board only found out about that with 16,000 other fans at Leichhardt Oval. Which is really bad for business, and it’s quite embarrassing really.”

Richardson is protected by a seven-figure termination payout, however, that could be in jeopardy as the NRL begins to make enquiries into his conduct at the club.

The Wests Tigers CEO took over from Pascoe at the end of 2023 following an independent governance review conducted by Tony Crawford and Gary Barnier.

In February 2024, Richardson denied a conflict of interest to this masthead when he signed a player managed by his son, Brent, for the company he part owned.

Richardson said all the relevant declarations had been made to the board before he accepted the CEO job.

Enrichd Group, formerly Rich Digital, is a business that specialises in brand building, digital innovation and talent management.

When Richardson began his tenure at the club the company signed on as a consultant to Wests Tigers to help the club grow its brand and drive profits.

The club has also signed several players from the company’s NRL and NRLW agency branch headed up by Richardson’s son, including Solomona Faataape and Charlie Murray.

Wests Tigers CEO Richardson at centre of NRL integrity unit probe after whistleblower tip-off

The NRL integrity unit has conducted several preliminary interviews over concerns about the conduct of CEO Shane Richardson and senior staff.

www.smh.com.au

 

[TheDefinitionOfMadness]

If Richo has done the wrong thing, the article says we can sack him and not pay him out.

He should probably get legal advice to see what his best options are.

Sometimes you can do wrong thing and not know it. I’m prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt at this point. I’ve had my professional differences with him, but I’ve never alleged he was a crook. Allegations are not proof.

I’ll be completely gutted if he’s proven to have been up to no good.

I know he skates close to the wind and being CEO can be like that, but I’d always thought he had our best interests at heart.

Yet the people pissing on our club from the outside, they can quite frankly f**k off. This is our business.

No surrender lads, we die on our feet.

I thought you might have been the whistleblower TSP. Revenge for Richo not responding to your emails and f**king up your 2026 membership package.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

I thought you might have been the whistleblower TSP. Revenge for Richo not responding to your emails and f**king up your 2026 membership package.

Ffs lol.

Im many things, selfish, boring, trouble maker, born to lose and make zero contribution for my time on earth…but ….Im not a dog.

I’m going to give Richo an alibi!

“Richo wasn’t stuffing his private company’s with cash. He was busy ignoring members emails.”

A nice ring of truth about that for the jury.

7300 club member witnesses get him out of trouble.

We all can’t be lying.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

Odds update

Richo resignation: $1.01
Richo sacked: $1.03
The empire survives: $1.06
The rebels tear the club down: $10.79
Vlandy takes over: $1.23
The club survives but the 2026 season still sucks: book full.