OFFICIAL Q&A Club discussion with Shaun Mielekamp

[Joel Helmes]

What HBG doesn’t understand is that the WT fan base in 2026 isn’t the old Magpies fan base of the 80s and 90s. For them, they were proud battlers who were just happy to see their side knock off the “silver tails” (or at least bash them) every now and then, but otherwise just be proud being the perennial underdog.

Today, the fan base is a totally different one with much higher expectations. What we have currently in terms of ownership and governance is no longer appropriate for the times and remains the number one impediment to success.

The fans have spoken and this genie isn’t going back in the bottle.

You want change? Cancel your membership auto renewal and stop going to games. There’s no other way of forcing change.

 

[king_sirro]

Youre obviously not in some WTs facebook groups

No im not. What is the fans divide there? And was the divide evident when the independent board was in place or has it been much more prevalent once HBG blew the place up?

 

[Halbrowne61]

What HBG doesn’t understand is that the WT fan base in 2026 isn’t the old Magpies fan base of the 80s and 90s. For them, they were proud battlers who were just happy to see their side knock off the “silver tails” (or at least bash them) every now and then, but otherwise just be proud being the perennial underdog.

Today, the fan base is a totally different one with much higher expectations. What we have currently in terms of ownership and governance is no longer appropriate for the times and remains the number one impediment to success.

The fans have spoken and this genie isn’t going back in the box.

You want change? Cancel your membership auto renewal and stop going to games. There’s no other way of forcing change.

Yes, I am totally against auto renewal. That should be an annual decision made by the badge holder. Why put the onus on the member to have to cancel, when it should be a request for ongoing support.

 

[Speed2burn]

What HBG doesn’t understand is that the WT fan base in 2026 isn’t the old Magpies fan base of the 80s and 90s. For them, they were proud battlers who were just happy to see their side knock off the “silver tails” (or at least bash them) every now and then, but otherwise just be proud being the perennial underdog.

Today, the fan base is a totally different one with much higher expectations. What we have currently in terms of ownership and governance is no longer appropriate for the times and remains the number one impediment to success.

The fans have spoken and this genie isn’t going back in the bottle.

You want change? Cancel your membership auto renewal and stop going to games. There’s no other way of forcing change.

I’ve stopped going to games since about round 12 … not renewing my membership until we make the 8 or are on the cusp. I think we as fans have earnt that right. We’ve done the hard yards of waiting long enough

 

[Tom Shines]

I think every team has its supporter base, especially loyal ones.

The reason we haven't folded is because NRL keeps us running. Turns out that them giving us $20-$30m every year funds millions of dollars worth of advertisements, podcasts, TV shows and clickbait articles.

I don't think we pay the Club much, but we click on enough stories and talk about it enough that the IP carries it forward.

When that is all built upon negativity and not supported by good results on the field for over a decade …there is definitely a shelf life to how long people will continue to maintain their “clickbait” interest in yet more bad news, and for the first time I’m starting to think they may be reaching a tipping point …

Youre obviously not in some WTs facebook groups

There are obviously some diehards still on both sides …but the playing up of the “ fan divisions” by the media and others ( not Shaun), creates a diversion that can be pointed to provide an excuse to deflect attention away from the real problem …

 

[TigerBurnsy]

No im not. What is the fans divide there? And was the divide evident when the independent board was in place or has it been much more prevalent once HBG blew the place up?

It’s where all the die hard “bring back magpies or Balmain” fans argue every time, especially over the jersey etc, like some guy last year had an absolute sook we didn’t get a white kit

 

[Roar_Power]

What HBG doesn’t understand is that the WT fan base in 2026 isn’t the old Magpies fan base of the 80s and 90s. For them, they were proud battlers who were just happy to see their side knock off the “silver tails” (or at least bash them) every now and then, but otherwise just be proud being the perennial underdog.

Today, the fan base is a totally different one with much higher expectations. What we have currently in terms of ownership and governance is no longer appropriate for the times and remains the number one impediment to success.

The fans have spoken and this genie isn’t going back in the bottle.

You want change? Cancel your membership auto renewal and stop going to games. There’s no other way of forcing change.

I have ticked those boxes. I just feel sorry for my teenage son who has followed his dad into this cesspit of mediocrity.

 

[innsaneink]

No im not. What is the fans divide there? And was the divide evident when the independent board was in place or has it been much more prevalent once HBG blew the place up?

Just the old old balmain/Magpies BS that creeps into many groups and threads, Im not in many groups, there must be dozens now...some are much worse than others, but the algorithms send you posts on topics youre interested in so I see crap in groups im not a member of
27 years and these fossils still going at it.
Some people just refuse to change.
I guess theyre the ones that still line up in the bank with a bankbook to withdraw cash, or pay their gas bill waiting in line for 20 minutes at the post office

 

[tigertragic]

I don’t think there is a conflict between supporters of wests tigers. It’s a conflict of wests tigers supporters with HBG.

No conflict by wests tigers supporters with the original independent board and richo’s leadership, that was making positive progress. But it was blown up by HBG because they know better as shown by the shambles of the last 15 years.

If HBG don’t want to make decisions in the best interests of Wests Tigers, then supporters have little choice than conflict with HBG continuing.

The biggest challenge to wests Tigers success is HBG and its de facto non independent wests Tigers board

 

[tig_prmz]

When that is all built upon negativity and not supported by good results on the field for over a decade …there is definitely a shelf life to how long people will continue to maintain their “clickbait” interest in yet more bad news, and for the first time I’m starting to think they may be reaching a tipping point …

Let's hope there is a shelf life.

People love drama. A lot of kids still support Tigers, maybe because of the actual animal, the area they're from, wanting to support underdogs etc.

I don't think there is a shelf life. Mediocrity will continue, clickbait will continue, NRL will keep funding us. They need 20 teams.

If there were $1.20 odds for us to not be in the finals for another 5 yeras, I'd take them.

All other teams are so far ahead of us.

 

[Bubba]

A few weeks ago, I went to Belmore Oval to watch Javon Andrews play in person.
One thing I will never understand is how we can possibly ever be a truly united entity when our reserve grade team is fully represented only by one side of the merger. If you play for the Wests Tigers and you are a contracted player, you should play for the Wests Tigers. Not Balmain and not Wests.

What made it even more concerning for me was that there were ex-players/club officials in Wests polos, rain jackets and hoodies.

We need to unite, fully, completely and totally.

If we have 12 home games, play six at Campbelltown and six at Leichhardt.
Once revamped, there is no longer an excuse.

We can have a heritage jersey, if necessary or play one game in the bush/magic round but from next season, enough is enough.

Forward looking from now on only.
Let's remove the rear vision mirror once and for all.

 

[Tom Shines]

Let's hope there is a shelf life.

People love drama. A lot of kids still support Tigers, maybe because of the actual animal, the area they're from, wanting to support underdogs etc.

I don't think there is a shelf life. Mediocrity will continue, clickbait will continue, NRL will keep funding us. They need 20 teams.

If there were $1.20 odds for us to not be in the finals for another 5 yeras, I'd take them.

All other teams are so far ahead of us.

I’m talking about the “clickbait” interest having a shelf life with continued poor results and bad news …not that the “mediocrity “ will necessarily end although I hope it does obviously …fans will give it away I reckon otherwise

 

[hammertime]

A few weeks ago, I went to Belmore Oval to watch Javon Andrews play in person.
One thing I will never understand is how we can possibly ever be a truly united entity when our reserve grade team is fully represented only by one side of the merger. If you play for the Wests Tigers and you are a contracted player, you should play for the Wests Tigers. Not Balmain and not Wests.

What made it even more concerning for me was that there were ex-players/club officials in Wests polos, rain jackets and hoodies.

We need to unite, fully, completely and totally.

If we have 12 home games, play six at Campbelltown and six at Leichhardt.
Once revamped, there is no longer an excuse.

We can have a heritage jersey, if necessary or play one game in the bush/magic round but from next season, enough is enough.

Forward looking from now on only.
Let's remove the rear vision mirror once and for all.

You're not wrong, but we supporters need to be smart. Board quality is the burning issue. Lets start there or it will be a bridge too far.

 

[Halbrowne61]

I’m just rewatching Moneyball ( again) and the first key statements are;
1. You don’t buy players, you buy wins !
2. There are heaps of undervalued players available who can make a difference at reasonable prices ?
Are we going about recruitment the wrong way ?
Maybe forget the $1- $1.2 million players?

 

[Buttface]

What HBG doesn’t understand is that the WT fan base in 2026 isn’t the old Magpies fan base of the 80s and 90s. For them, they were proud battlers who were just happy to see their side knock off the “silver tails” (or at least bash them) every now and then, but otherwise just be proud being the perennial underdog.

Today, the fan base is a totally different one with much higher expectations. What we have currently in terms of ownership and governance is no longer appropriate for the times and remains the number one impediment to success.

The fans have spoken and this genie isn’t going back in the bottle.

You want change? Cancel your membership auto renewal and stop going to games. There’s no other way of forcing change.

When they botched up my auto renewal for this season I got a few emails and then finally a phone call from a lady that said something about renewing and I said just said maybe later to see how good her sales training was and she said “ok then bye 👋 “ and hung up. Had she of at least tried to sell me on it, I would’ve membered up there and then, I had my card out.
But nope, just “bye 👋 ✋👋✋👋”
I won’t be giving them my money without some change and I don’t mean 40c.

 

[Tom Shines]

I’m just rewatching Moneyball ( again) and the first key statements are;
1. You don’t buy players, you buy wins !
2. There are heaps of undervalued players available who can make a difference at reasonable prices ?
Are we going about recruitment the wrong way ?
Maybe forget the $1- $1.2 million players?

Did they end up winning the championship at the end of that movie ? I think old manager mate had to ultimately go to one of the Sydney Roosters level clubs to get it done ..

 

[Halbrowne61]

Did they end up winning the championship at the end of that movie ? I think old manager mate had to ultimately go to one of the Sydney Roosters level clubs to get it done ..

True, but they certainly improved, and that would be a huge step towards winning.
I’d be really happy with a top 8 spot !!

 

[Tom Shines]

True, but they certainly improved, and that would be a huge step towards winning.
I’d be really happy with a top 8 spot !!

Yes mate,,,I would take that 👍

 

[Pringle Gold]

Being apologetic and honest is not being cowardly

Is it a challenge to bring the fans together - yes?
Is it a big rift? yes
Does it impact the organisation? yes
Are the fans to blame? absolutely not

Did I choose my words wrong - probably

I agree that the causes are deep seeded and longstanding - not the fault of the fans

If we don't have the hard conversations then how are we ever going to fix them - this is an approach I am taking across the entire club at all levels. I am going to get back to working hard now and I'll jump back on again in a few weeks.

I think it’s cowardly you tried to say you didn’t blame the fans when you clearly did. I think it’s cowardly you’re flip-flopping between what you said. And most of all I think it’s cowardly and gutless for you to say, as a supposed leader of an NRL club, that fan connection is even a factor in our results.

All it really shows is leadership at the club is failing in every aspect. It’s shows the focus isn’t on uncovering the real problems despite what you say.

Because all I see is you punching down at fans and still expecting us to cough up money to prop up incompetence.

Why don’t you be specific? What specific problems have you identified and what are you doing specifically doing to address and rectify them? Apart from laying the blame at fans feet of course.

Doubt I’ll get a response because all that dribbles from your mouth is vagueness and pr spin.