You’ve twisted my position into something it isn't. Let’s clear the slate and bring this back to the core of the issue.
1. The Respect Gap
If HBG wants respect from the fans, they need to show it in return. Let’s look at the timeline:
- The Sacking: When they sacked the board, they proactively posted a video to "reassure fans." Whether you agreed with the decision or not, they at least fronted up.
- The Silence: When that decision was reversed, directors were reinstated, and the CEO quit, the "reassurance" vanished.
If proactive communication was necessary for the sacking, why was it absent during the backflip? Instead of official updates, we saw Wests directors on Facebook ripping into upset fans. We are now five months on without a peep. That isn't "serving the fans"—that’s serving self-interest. Can you see why unaffiliated fans are fed up?
2. The "Saving the Tigers" Myth
HBG didn’t "save" the Wests Tigers out of charity; they made a calculated business decision to protect their own asset.
- The Debenture System: This wasn't a safety net for the Wests Tigers club; it was a barrier. It effectively blocked outside "White Knights" (like Laundy or Triguboff) because no serious investor would pour millions into a club where they have zero say and must answer to a closed-loop debenture board.
- The Reality: HBG benefited immensely by taking the Balmain share.
The Bottom Line: The debenture holders didn't want a White Knight because a White Knight would have demanded change. They spent their money to ensure that while ownership percentages shifted, the status quo remained under their total control.
Conclusion:
At the end of the day, we need to call this what it is. The debenture system isn't a neutral governance tool; it is a fortress designed to protect the interests of the Wests Magpies above all else. HBG didn't step in to save a joint venture; they stepped in to ensure that their 1908 foundation club never lost its seat at the table. While they use the 'Holman Barnes' name to project unity, their actions prove their sole priority is the preservation of the Magpies' footprint, even if that means keeping the Wests Tigers in a perpetual state of 'mission lock' that blocks any outside evolution.
Feel free to correct any errors I have made. I look forward to your response.
cc:
@Vicious