Breaking news: HBG takeover

I see that Shannon Cavanagh was very supportive of the appointment of Dan Paton and was challenging Andy Raymond on social media last night when he said he felt sorry for the fans of the club and that it was imploding..

"Hardly imploding. The new regime at Wests are continuing with governance improvements. Applaud them, or at least educate yourself."

"Andy Raymond Should we bring back Rick Wayde, Nick DiGirolamo and Benny Elias? 🤣🤣 You don’t have a clue, Andy. Wests are on the way back. The people responsible for the horrors of the past have gone. NEVER EVER let them back!!!"
I think this is much bigger than being a Denny Burgess problem.Wests are flexing their muscle and you are either with them or your not.
 
supercoach said:
As others have said, us forum contributors represent about 0.5 percent of people who go to games, buy merchandise and memberships. The other 99.5% would see another one page spread on the WestsTigers dysfunctional board and not get beyond the headline. They basically would not care.

Of course the main problem is they hold the license for the franchise and they are accountable to nobody as they basically can’t be voted out of job. Yes they contribute a lot of money to the club, but so does the cooperate sector through the hard work of Richo and people like Barry O’Barrel.

My general interest in the NRL is on a steady decline after decades of fanaticism and this will sink it lower
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Never a truer word said

Twice at games chatting to other supporters who have reminded me of someone on here and Ive asked "are you on the forum"?

"Forum"??????
 
Bus 2 Terrigal said:
Independent Board, not the owners.
If the Independent Board wants absolute autonomy, they can make the owners a financial offer 🤷‍♂️
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Independence is independence. We either areor were not, if we're independant then we should be able to make decisions for ourselves based on our best interests, that's what corporate law requires, that a boardroom make decisions in the best interest of the party who's board they're on. Not any other entity. Besides we're dealing with a mob who know we're called the Tigers yet are upset the jersey is orange. Cause there's heaps of black Tigers running around. Absolute muppets. Fingers crossed the N.R.L threaten to deregister their licence till they sell up. I'd go 2 years without N.R.L to be rid of H.B.G finally. Nothing but a cancer to us.
 
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Bus 2 Terrigal said:
It would seem like something worth getting the owners to sign off on before proceeding.

Given the club’s historical sensitivities, it was pretty stupid for O’Farrell and co to rubber stamp this fashion faux pas.

I mean what did they think was going to happen 🤷‍♂️
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Sounds like Dennis was asleep at that meeting....or wasnt even there...I mean being the HBG rep on the WTs board, youd think thats his job ???

Its been suggested its a HBG furphy...I mean who would publicly admit to something like this, the insecurity, the paranoia, the pettiness, the childishness ...makes them look very very amateur and juvenile
 
pacey said:
We need to complain to the NRL so they are aware of our distaste.

www.nrl.com

Contact Us

The NRL and its partners welcome comments, questions and feedback from all Rugby League fans and interested community members.
www.nrl.com www.nrl.com

Type of Enquiry > Compliant
What is it related to > Other
Title > Wests Tigers Ownership
Body > This can be generated from ChatGPT by using the below prompt.

Prompt:

Draft a formal request to the NRL asking them to review the Holman Barnes Group’s licence following their removal of the newly appointed independent Wests Tigers board. Emphasise that the decision appears self interested, conflicts with good governance standards, and does not reflect the best interests of the Wests Tigers, the NRL, its fans, or the long term stability of the club. The tone should be firm, factual, and centred on governance integrity and stakeholder impact.
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Done. Told them there's fans, loads of fans out the Southwest corridor that'll start tuning into other sports cause theyre sick of the drama and they're team being used as nothing other than someone's plaything just making up the numbers, while the N.R.L sit for years allowing it to happen with a thumb up their rear. Told them at least try to do something and if nothing works the N.R.L should step in and take charge of the club till another suitable owner can be found.
 
The prospects are for today to be an interesting day for WT. I’ll be shocked if we don’t hear from Richo regarding his future at WT. I’ll be surprised if he goes and hope like hell he doesn’t but who knows. Benji will stay I’m pretty sure.
The real question for me is whether HBG offers WT fans any reason to be optimistic about the future. Surely they realise they’ve lobbed a massive hand grenade right in the middle of the club and can’t just remain silent leaving fans to wonder what the hell will happen to their club.
 
Im not across the ins and outs of HBG so I cant really comment. One thing i know is (and this isnt supporting them by any means), but if I had 90% ownership of the club then you better well believe i have control. So I cant blame them for wanting control.
 
GNR4LIFE said:
I mean, apparently Danny Burgess is my guy. Because if there’s anything I’m known for, being as outspoken and contrarian as I am, it’s licking Danny Burgess’ boots.
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Man don’t make it about you ! And on serious note , about the contrarian thing , do you not ask yourself at times why you think the things you do ? I do . All the time . I have ADHD and my brain is always scattered . I always have to consciously think things and keep it clutter free , because if I do have the shits , then last night happens . And every thought I have comes out . And I find myself cursing my brain all the time. it’s simply an observation about you . Not meant in an antagonistic way . If I’m wrong , I’m wrong . That’s fine . But I have a house full of neurodivergent people , and I know the things you post have a through line .… anyways . You do you bro ! But I wasn’t being a dickhead when I said that.
 
innsaneink said:
Never a truer word said

Twice at games chatting to other supporters who have reminded me of someone on here and Ive asked "are you on the forum"?

"Forum"??????
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Was one of them that guy that calls himself Gobbs?

Just kidding … he might be back cheering for the Magpies shortly … or is he too invested in the Storm these days? 🤔
 
Statement from the independent board members:

Following the Barnier Crawford Review into Wests Tigers, which was commissioned in 2024, four independent directors with diverse backgrounds and skillsets were appointed.

Since January 2025, the board has been unified and effective in improving the Wests Tigers’ governance, strategy and financial performance. We have at all times complied with our fiduciary duties in our roles as directors.

We reject any suggestion of a lack of communication with Holman Barnes Group. Holman Barnes Group is represented on the board of the Wests Tigers and its representative has been present at all Wests Tigers board meetings and provided with all board information. No concerns have been raised by the representative of Holman Barnes Group at any Wests Tigers board meeting in relation to governance, communication or consultation. We are yet to be informed of the detail or particulars of Holman Barnes Group's concerns.

For the strong and independent governance of the Wests Tigers to be dismantled after only 11 months is extremely disappointing.

The most important thing is to protect the Club, the staff, the players and the members.

The Hon Barry OFarrell AO Charlie Viola, Michelle McDowell , Annabelle Williams

———————————————————

Comments from Charlie Viola in addition:

To say I am bitterly disappointed by this would be a massive understatement.

Over the past 11 months myself and the 3 independents had started some incredibly good work. We had raised the level of governance, commerciality and started to put the club on track strategically on so many fronts. We had been working wonderfully well with management and felt like the board had been aligned at all times including the owners representatives who were at every board meeting, and party to every decision and every bit of material.

The club is very lucky to have the management team it has. We felt with their good work and the overlay and counsel those of us with the diverse backgrounds brought, the club was moving in a great direction. A direction that protected and supported what our fans wanted.

We had collectively put in place a strategic direction, increased our member base, moved the club to profitability, nailed a stadium strategy that would secure the club in its key areas for years to come and worked hard on the clubs pathways and corporate appeal.

I am a passionate Wests Tigers fan, I loved the fact I could contribute, so I am disappointed to no longer have a role and I don’t agree with the actions taken by Holman Barnes Group. I also refute any claims that communication wasn’t at a high standard. Their representative was at every meeting. They had a representative on every sub committee.

But, I’m still a fan and want the club to do well. I will be cheering on Benji and the boys and Craig and our NRLW team in 26.
 
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