This unity discussion is a symptom of the Club's problem and unfortunately it really doesn't help get us all rowing in the right direction. First let's identify the root casue of the issue. Most of what is thrown around on this forum is about self interest from both sides of the fence: it isn't about unity. We as supporters need to take a long hard look at ourselves and determine if we are part of the problem or want to be part of the solution. We have the freedom to make our own decsions and change the direction we take when debating the future of our club.
Is the Root Cause “Self-Interest”?
There is some truth in this line. The joint venture
Wests Tigers has always been emotionally fragile because it has merged two proud foundation clubs. Unfortunately, the financial collapse of Balmain Leagues Club led to Wests Ashfield acquiring the controlling interest in the football club structure. That power shift altered not just voting rights — but perceived legitimacy. Legacy supporters on both sides have long felt: “We saved you"; “You took us over”; “You erased us” and “We carry the burden” to name a few.
So yes — ego, historical grievance, and institutional self-interest have absolutely fuelled tension.
But that is
not the root cause of our problems.
The Root Cause?
The root cause is the structural misalignment of incentives; with the key issue being that Wests Tigers performance incentives do not align with the controlling entity’s financial incentives. If we look at the competing interests:
- Wests Ashfield (as the primary financial backer) is incentivised toward asset stability and risk mitigation.
- The NRL football program is incentivised toward competitive risk, bold recruitment, and performance volatility.
Those incentives clash. When football decisions are filtered through governance layers shaped by leagues-club economics rather than elite sport performance models, friction occurs - and this is what we have witnessed for the last 15 years or so.
Why? Our Identities Were Never Fully Integrated
The joint venture was administratively merged and was never emotionally unified. Even now, with those that argue that it is only Wests Tigers there is no unity because most also see rusted on Magpies and Tigers as "the problem". The brand “Wests Tigers” exists — but only psychologically:
- Some still see Balmain.
- Some still see Wests.
- Most probably see a single modern entity; that is constantly beeing dragged down by our history. This continues to fester - with some labelled as dinosours, Fibros or Balmainge
That identity tension feeds: board suspicion; media attention; factional leaks; inter-fanbase tribalism and of course the internal politics at the HBG level.
Politics → Governance Instability → Football Instability which kills performance cultures.
The evidence is there for all three elements of the fan base to see: board changes; CEO turnover; coach turnover and recruitment philosophy shifts. Every reset we endure prevents long-term cohesion. This is where we are right now - another reset and raised animosity between the different elements of the fan base.
Elite NRL clubs sustain success - Wests Tigers is not an elite club - and despite on field success will never be until the root cause of the clubs woes is addressed. What do we need?
Stable governance structures that empower football departments rather than interfere with them.
Wests Tigers’ problem isn't passion; all three elements of the fan base have it in bucketloads. Governance architecture is still a problem with the fan base - perceived or otherwise there is a smell that permeates every discussion.
So What Is the Root Cause?
The root casue is not just self-interest; it is not Balmain vs Wests vs Wests Tigers alone.
The root cause is: A joint venture that never completed the psychological and structural transition from shared custody to unified ownership.
Until that shift happens, the club will oscillate between factions, narratives, and resets.
The Solution: Move From “Joint Venture” to “Single Entity”
The problem isn’t Balmain; it isn’t Wests; it isn't the 90% ownership model. The problem is that we still operate as a managed alliance rather than a unified professional sporting organisation.
In my view change requires six deliberate moves.
1.
Constitutional Reform. Constitutional reform that ends factional representation. This would remove legacy-based board allocation. No more: “Balmain or Wests appointed directors”. This must be the first step - unless constituational reform is undertaken management can "retake" ownership and direction as it sees fit. This does not change the ownership model - so Wests Ashfield retains it shares and benefits.
2.
Skills-based, independent governance appointments. I know that this was the goal under Richo however, given that the constitutional reform had not take place this was reversed. Elite NRL clubs do
not seat directors to protect history; they seat directors to drive performance. Until Wests Tigers governance reflects that model, politics will always bleed into football.
3.
Ring-Fence Football Operations Completely. Create a clearly defined separation:
- Board = Strategy + Financial oversight
- Football Department = Performance + Recruitment + Culture
No informal influence; no “phone calls”; no legacy appeasement signings. Empower a Head of Football with contractual autonomy with stability in football leadership for 5+ years minimum. We can probably go close to doing that right now.
4.
Formally Declare the Identity Reset. This matters more than people think. The club should publicly declare:
“The joint venture era is complete. We are one unified club.”
Not legally but culturally.
We need to celebrate our previous premierships and our foundation history but we need to stop framing the present through the lens of past sacrifice. That can be driven by the fan base and each individual fan right here and right now.
Symbolism drives culture
→ Culture drives standards
→ Standards drive results.
5.
Align the Incentives Between the Majority Owner and the NRL Club. The Wests Ashfield majority stake has created financial stability; however, that stability is not linked ot the NRL Club's ambition. HBG must formally commit to:
- Minimum football investment thresholds.
- Long-term facilities planning.
- Development pathways aligned with Western Sydney growth.
Not reactive spending — structured and forecast investment. This is a big alignment hurdle that needs to be overcome. The goal must be to go from us and them to we on both sides of the fence.
6.
Commit, at HBG level, to a 5-Year Strategic Football Identity. Pick a model and stick to it: Shaun has enveiled Worlds Best NRL Pathways as his big hairy audacious goal - we need to enshrine this (or some other model) in our governance. With a change such as this we formally become a development (or systems or whatever) first club with systems that support the grown of our region and our NRL club. Being a development club is a realistic goal that is nested in the constitution of Wests Ashfield already - so no need to change direction - we just need to get on with delivering.
The Hard Truth. Wests Tigers does not lack passion, we see it here every day. We lack alignment. Until governance incentives, cultural identity, and football authority all point in the same direction, performance will remain inconsistent. The solution is not more emotion; the solution is Moral Courage. We need personnel in place that can make the hard right decisons over taking the easy wins that enable them to wear a blazer and get cheap seats at the footy.
We need to stop being a joint venture and start being a professional sporting organisation. So instead of sniping at each other here - we need to look at constructive ways to enable this to happen.
Time for some constuctive debate instead of the continual sniping. How do you think we could enable this?
