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Wests Tigers owners remove four independent directors including chairman Barry O’Farrell in takeover bid

Wests Tigers have descended into political chaos after their owners the Holman Barnes Group issued the removal of four independent directors including club chairman Barry O’Farrell.

Michael Carayannis and Brent Read
December 1, 2025 - 4:55PM

Wests Tigers have descended into political chaos after their owners the Holman Barnes Group issued the removal of four independent directors including Tigers chairman Barry O’Farrell.

The Holman Barnes Group have outlined their plans to take full contract back of the club in which they own a 90 per cent stake in by having all independent members removed. That includes former NSW Premier O’Farrell and three other independent directors.

While the Holman Barnes Group insisted they were committed to chief executive Shane Richardson and coach Benji Marshall.

The Holman Barnes Group hit out at what they called poor communication between the Tigers board and the owners of the club according to their chief executive Daniel Paton.

“The Holman Barnes board has been left in the dark on some commercially sensitive announcements,” Paton said. “The Holman Barnes board does not believe communication between the boards has been satisfactory.

“We don’t want to micromanage the football operations.”

Richardson is a close ally of O’Farrell and was an outspoken advocate for independence when he took the job as Tigers chief executive.

The Tigers board is due to meet on Tuesday.

“In 2024, an independent review was undertaken into the governance of the Wests Tigers. All recommendations from that review were implemented in full, including the establishment of an independent board structure,” the Holman Barnes Group said in a statement.

“Over such time, it has become evident that the current model has not provided the level of communication and alignment needed between the Wests Tigers and its parent entity, Holman Barnes Group.

“To strengthen governance and ensure clearer visibility and collaboration across both organisations, a notice of removal has been issued to the independent directors of the Wests Tigers board.

“These governance changes that have been enacted will have no impact on the football operations, coaching staff or players. The Holman Barnes Group has full faith and commitment in Shane Richardson as CEO and Benji Marshall as coach.

“Our focus is on stability, unity and success both on and off the field. Holman Barnes Group and the Wests Tigers share a deep commitment to the players, members, fans and communities, and we will continue to work together to build a strong, sustainable and successful long-term future for the club.”

The Holman Barnes Group have been wracked by internal ructions and controversy in recent years, which led to an overhaul of the football club board to introduce more independence and provide some distance between the NRL side and the boardroom politics and squabbling at ownership level.

While the Holman Barnes Group continues to be wracked by controversy and internal politics, the football side has largely been unaffected because of the independence on the board and the powerful influence of Richardson.
 
I watched the video release form the home page as well. Not much detail in what has been going on to warrant the independents being removed - but WTF - they have membership on the board so how can there not be communication. If there is a lack of information getting back to you from your own member I think it is time to look in the backyard.

The instability is back - and we are back to being run by the nepo debenture holders.

I'm sure some forum members will be over the moon; but FFS, we were finally heading in the right direction. How long before Richo is out the door and we have the equivalent of the clown show making decisions again.

OK Wests Ashfield insiders - what is the background, where is it heading and why?
 
Jolls said:
I watched the video release form the home page as well. Not much detail in what has been going on to warrant the independents being removed - but WTF - they have membership on the board so how can there not be communication. If there is a lack of information getting back to you from your own member I think it is time to look in the backyard.

The instability is back - and we are back to being run by the nepo debenture holders.

I'm sure some forum members will be over the moon; but FFS, we were finally heading in the right direction. How lone before Richo is out the door and we have the equivalent of the clown show making decisions again.
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Richo only agreed to be CEO if WT’s became an independent entity. I’d say it’s highly likely he walks now.
 
WesternSuburbsBoy said:
Us fans will never have peace will we…. the NRL needs to step in & claim back ownership it’s all we’ve got
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Honestly [This word has been automatically removed] HBG ! Fold the club . All they want to do is run it like it’s a youth sports club from C town . Power hungry pieces of shit …. Dennis burgess I hope your wig slides off your head whilst you sleep and you choke to death ….
These people literally would rather sit on a throne of shit … than not at all . As soon as the club is looking on the up , these gollums come sliding in from the shadows on all fours “smeagggle , why does is cry … because they takes’ it from us ….. my precious …” sausage rolls and champagne in the corporate box”
 
Lestronge said:
I feel like that as well … I don’t know if I want to support a team where its owners keep perpetually trying to keep the club as the shit of the league …
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When I started reading your comment I thought you were going in a different direction .... I don't know if I want to support a team that has compentent leadership ....
 
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