HBG, Independent Directors Sacked

Jolls · 2026-02-25T11:57:59+1100

426Tlgerland said:
Do you think the debenture holders will ever give up on that position and change it , take away that power they have , I say o chance , until that is gone and certain people loose protection nothing will change , we need to be able to vote as members just like normal clubs , these folks on the current board can still run for spots but they know they most likely won’t be selected as there would be loads of new members joining just like Jolls has just done , also on voting a club could have 10 thousand members and on the vote night only 1500 have voted , most patrons don’t vote , they just see their mates , eat , drink , play pokies , I was a director for years at a club and when elections were on we would put on a free feed , basic stuff , and hope our members rocked up but most times it was a small amount , and voting numbers were always low compared to the actual amount of members , all clubs know this , so if we could vote I would think an increase in members would happen and voting numbers would go up .in the case of Wests Ashfield and Wests Tigers boards

Wests Tigers won't change as it is a Pty Ltd and will be appointed under the authority fo HBG. The debenture system is really difficult - and there would have to be a need for change. In Illawarra's case they couldn't pay the bills so when WIN stepped in and took over the debt they insisted on modernising the corporate structure. So I think there would need to be a catalyst for that to happen and I can't see Wests Ashfield going broke.

I know that I can't even be eligble to vote for another three years so it is about playing the long game. There has to be some unrest as there was the supposed motion to have the debenture system scrapped. I have heard no more of that - but at least I now have the ability to communicate with those in charge.

There are probably a few options that could be investigated - an open letter to the boards asa precurser to pulling togther enough memebers to put something meaningful forward for debate at the AGM. I think the key to it is what the debenture holders are hearing around the traps and their "need" to feel wanted. IF there is a big enough faction of rusted ons - it will be difficult - but it is hard to imagine that every debenture holder is blind to the issues.

Bit like eating an elephant I guess.

Jolls · 2026-02-25T12:02:13+1100

Jolls said:
Wests Tigers won't change as it is a Pty Ltd and will be appointed under the authority fo HBG. The debenture system is really difficult - and there would have to be a need for change. In Illawarra's case they couldn't pay the bills so when WIN stepped in and took over the depth they insisted on modernising the corporate structure. So I think there would need to be a catalyst for that to happen and I can't see Wests Ashfield going broke.

I know that I can't even be eligble to vote for another three years so it is about playing the long game. There has to be some unrest as there was the supposed motion to have the debenture system scrapped. I have heard no more of that - but at least I now have the ability to communicate with those in charge.

There are probably a few options that could be investigated - an open letter to the boards asa precurser to pulling togther enough memebers to put something meaningful forward for debate at the AGM. I think the key to it is what the debenture holders are hearing around the traps and their "need" to feel wanted. IF there is a big enough faction of rusted ons - it will be difficult - but it is hard to imagine that every debenture holder is blind to the issues.

Bit like eating an elephant I guess.

I have drawn my line in the sand and will push for unity with whoever I can. If there is enough pushing the same barrow and potentially if someone like @TheEnz can get himself elected onto the board then we have a voice inside the tent.

So much easier to get the joint aligned if your inside the tent mixing with the right crowd and sewing the seeds of change.

Telltails · 2026-02-25T12:49:46+1100

People refer to "HBG" as the owners and being in control because "the people/ individuals" who actually are the beneficiaries of the system that empowers them to represent HBG are not worth a pinch of salt when it comes to running a successful Football club - and yet their defenders will go after Shane Richardson - like him or not - whose record in his designated role spoke for itself.
Shaun M is now the man to resolve all and lead us to the promised land - just like Richardson before him - until that is the faceless few calling the shots decide otherwise and doing a good job or not will not necessarily be the reason why.

TheEnz · 2026-02-25T13:52:37+1100

Jolls said:
I have drawn my line in the sand and will push for unity with whoever I can. If there is enough pushing the same barrow and potentially if someone like @TheEnz can get himself elected onto the board then we have a voice inside the tent.

So much easier to get the joint aligned if your inside the tent mixing with the right crowd and sewing the seeds of change.

The interesting thing about all of this is that I was interviewed for a board role on the Independent Wests Tigers board over 18 months ago. It was done by the external recruitment group Elevate Talent. It was a very professional process and we went into a fairly deep dive of my background and experience and how it aligns with the skills matrix that they are looking to fill. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately in hindsight) we both concluded that my areas of expertise (predominately in Technology leadership at an APAC/global level for multinational companies) do not really align with the skills matrix they were looking to fill. Whilst I had experience on the administrative/management side, they were looking for people that also had strong local contacts in Govt and business to help with sponsorship, community engagement and lifting the profile of the team and players. Having been in a regional/global role most of my contacts are based in the US or the UK and include Microsoft, Dell, AT&T etc.... none that would be too interested in sponsoring or supporting an NRL team.
I left the interview feeling very confident that they would select the right people and they were going about it in a very professional and open manner. Once they announced the independent directors the individuals did align really well with the matrix and the local contacts/influence. So i felt like we were heading in the right direction.

Now compare that to having to fill that skills matrix from a pool of 20 debenture holders and you begin to see where the fundamental issue lies.

I'm happy to support change and lend my voice and experience to it, whilst I'm not afraid to say that I started off life as a Dragons supporter (dads team) I shifted to the Tigers as a teenager in the 80's. Never had any affiliation or interest in Balmain, I grew up and played most of my footy in the shire and only ever visited the inner west to go to games at Leichhardt oval. So for me the team has always been the Tigers and now the Wests Tigers. I now live in the inner west, not far from Wests Ashfield and do visit the club on the odd occasion for a drink and a feed or to watch a Wests Tigers game. I am 100% all in on the Wests Tigers and proudly so.

supercoach · 2026-02-25T13:53:17+1100

cochise said:
A coach that has no desire to coach elsewhere and was widely regarded as a poor coach. There was no reason to extend Benji at that time. I am a huge Benji fan and believe he will be a great coach.

The extension was to calm player unrest over the board room dramas. Same reason the clauses are still in Luai's contract despite being heavily rumoured before the drama.

So right, it was a deliberate move to try and repair the unbelievable damage they had caused with not only the majority of the fan base but also the players , coaches and the rest of the football department. Calling it a possible master stroke by the board is delusional

Bus 2 Terrigal Lagoon · 2026-02-25T14:02:10+1100

cochise said:
No, because the decision did not need to be made now.

That's true. But given the state of play at the time. It was a smart move.
And given we both agree that Benji's doing a great job - from what I can gleam, the players worship the guy - then the decision will ultimately prove to have been a very good one.

Jolls · 2026-02-25T14:03:55+1100

TheEnz said:
The interesting thing about all of this is that I was interviewed for a board role on the Independent Wests Tigers board over 18 months ago. It was done by the external recruitment group Elevate Talent. It was a very professional process and we went into a fairly deep dive of my background and experience and how it aligns with the skills matrix that they are looking to fill. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately in hindsight) we both concluded that my areas of expertise (predominately in Technology leadership at an APAC/global level for multinational companies) do not really align with the skills matrix they were looking to fill. Whilst I had experience on the administrative/management side, they were looking for people that also had strong local contacts in Govt and business to help with sponsorship, community engagement and lifting the profile of the team and players. Having been in a regional/global role most of my contacts are based in the US or the UK and include Microsoft, Dell, AT&T etc.... none that would be too interested in sponsoring or supporting an NRL team.
I left the interview feeling very confident that they would select the right people and they were going about it in a very professional and open manner. Once they announced the independent directors the individuals did align really well with the matrix and the local contacts/influence. So i felt like we were heading in the right direction.

Now compare that to having to fill that skills matrix from a pool of 20 debenture holders and you begin to see where the fundamental issue lies.

I'm happy to support change and lend my voice and experience to it, whilst I'm not afraid to say that I started off life as a Dragons supporter (dads team) I shifted to the Tigers as a teenager in the 80's. Never had any affiliation or interest in Balmain, I grew up and played most of my footy in the shire and only ever visited the inner west to go to games at Leichhardt oval. So for me the team has always been the Tigers and now the Wests Tigers. I now live in the inner west, not far from Wests Ashfield and do visit the club on the odd occasion for a drink and a feed or to watch a Wests Tigers game. I am 100% all in on the Wests Tigers and proudly so.

Similar experience with the board interview - global contacts in Defence Industry and rural consrtuction contacts that would not be interested in sponsoring Wests Tigers. On top of that I am not based in the area. I also thought when the board was announced that the selections were definitely a better match than what I had to offer.

mtd#2 · 2026-02-25T14:07:03+1100

weststigers said:
Where HBG were the majority on the WT board in the past...

Could someone list their past achievements? Just to be fair and objective to HBG leadership and stewardship.

We seem to be focusing on one decision they made which has yet to play out in its entirety. Even Don Bradman got the occasional duck, so let's look at the whole picture.

Happy to hear from @Bus 2 Terrigal Lagoon @The Chad and any other supporters and defenders of this most recent change.

Thats a fair approach, I look forward to the responses.

mtd#2 · 2026-02-25T14:08:46+1100

Im not sure if he's on these forums at all but if he is, big shout out to Joel Caine whos taking a bit of a mental health break. I love listening to him on SEN. Hope you are well champion.

weststigers · 2026-02-25T14:26:13+1100

mtd#2 said:
Thats a fair approach, I look forward to the responses.

None so far...

Go_You_Good_Things · 2026-02-25T14:28:32+1100

mtd#2 said:
This thread would slowly die if they stopped trying to defend the indefensible...

It would die 100X faster if you and your mates would just give it a rest.

Bus 2 Terrigal Lagoon · 2026-02-25T14:52:39+1100

weststigers said:
Where HBG were the majority on the WT board in the past...

Could someone list their past achievements? Just to be fair and objective to HBG leadership and stewardship.

We seem to be focusing on one decision they made which has yet to play out in its entirety. Even Don Bradman got the occasional duck, so let's look at the whole picture.

Happy to hear from @Bus 2 Terrigal Lagoon @The Chad and any other supporters and defenders of this most recent change.

Thanks for the opportunity Fridgey.
Its a great question you've posed and I'm sure everyone will have different highlights to share.

My top five would have to be - Brooksy's BBQ (magnificent tribute), the Zurich Centre of Excellence, the addition of Matt Groat to the Wests Ashfield gym staff, Wests Ts managing to sign half of the champion Penrith team, and of course there's free Mahjong at the club on Thursday nights 🙂

Jolls · 2026-02-25T14:53:39+1100

Go_You_Good_Things said:
It would die 100X faster if you and your mates would just give it a rest.

Does the thread need to die? It has evolved into a discussion about how to better the club and how reform my be achieved. Do you not agree that changing the JV mindset is heading in the right direction?

Lestronge · 2026-02-25T14:55:41+1100

Bus 2 Terrigal Lagoon said:
Thanks for the opportunity Fridgey.
Its a great question you've posed and I'm sure everyone will have different highlights to share.

My top five would have to - Brooksy's BBQ (magnificent tribute), the Zurich Centre of Excellence, the addition of Matt Groat to the Wests Ashfield gym staff, Wests Ts managing to sign half of the champion Penrith team, and of course there's free Mahjong at the club on Thursday nights 🙂

This is what I’m talking about … you’re literally mocking him for asking you a genuine question . Yet you play the victim that you’re not stirring shit , and are a bad faith actor , when you replied to my post .
Like I said it’s just bad faith acting / debating. And honestly just makes you look like a fool, and you’re evading the question .

mtd#2 · 2026-02-25T15:27:43+1100

Go_You_Good_Things said:
It would die 100X faster if you and your mates would just give it a rest.

If you guys stopped posting here trying to defend the indefensible, we'd have nothing to respond to or discuss.

But you can't help yourselves.

weststigers · 2026-02-25T16:39:06+1100

Lestronge said:
This is what I’m talking about … you’re literally mocking him for asking you a genuine question . Yet you play the victim that you’re not stirring shit , and are a bad faith actor , when you replied to my post .
Like I said it’s just bad faith acting / debating. And honestly just makes you look like a fool, and you’re evading the question .

Appreciate it mate, but are you really surprised? In his attempt to be clever and make a joke about it, he is also admitting there is nothing he can point to in terms of achievement.

It's rather amusing watching a really cocky, yet low IQ individual thinking he's got the crowd won. Let him go...it's obviously a really big moment for him.

For them, HBG = Wests and they will blindly support that. For me, it's about quality management and a commitment to progressing the Wests Tigers brand (Not Wests and Not Balmain).

king_sirro · 2026-02-25T16:42:48+1100

weststigers said:
Appreciate it mate, but are you really surprised? In his attempt to be clever and make a joke about it, he is also admitting there is nothing he can point to in terms of achievement.

It's rather amusing watching a really cocky, yet low IQ individual thinking he's got the crowd won. Let him go...it's obviously a really big moment for him.

For them, HBG = Wests and they will blindly support that. For me, it's about quality management and a commitment to progressing the Wests Tigers brand (Not Wests and Not Balmain).

Oh the irony of your first paragraph 😂😂😂😂

hammertime · 2026-02-25T17:10:51+1100

TheEnz said:
The interesting thing about all of this is that I was interviewed for a board role on the Independent Wests Tigers board over 18 months ago. It was done by the external recruitment group Elevate Talent. It was a very professional process and we went into a fairly deep dive of my background and experience and how it aligns with the skills matrix that they are looking to fill. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately in hindsight) we both concluded that my areas of expertise (predominately in Technology leadership at an APAC/global level for multinational companies) do not really align with the skills matrix they were looking to fill. Whilst I had experience on the administrative/management side, they were looking for people that also had strong local contacts in Govt and business to help with sponsorship, community engagement and lifting the profile of the team and players. Having been in a regional/global role most of my contacts are based in the US or the UK and include Microsoft, Dell, AT&T etc.... none that would be too interested in sponsoring or supporting an NRL team.
I left the interview feeling very confident that they would select the right people and they were going about it in a very professional and open manner. Once they announced the independent directors the individuals did align really well with the matrix and the local contacts/influence. So i felt like we were heading in the right direction.

Now compare that to having to fill that skills matrix from a pool of 20 debenture holders and you begin to see where the fundamental issue lies.

I'm happy to support change and lend my voice and experience to it, whilst I'm not afraid to say that I started off life as a Dragons supporter (dads team) I shifted to the Tigers as a teenager in the 80's. Never had any affiliation or interest in Balmain, I grew up and played most of my footy in the shire and only ever visited the inner west to go to games at Leichhardt oval. So for me the team has always been the Tigers and now the Wests Tigers. I now live in the inner west, not far from Wests Ashfield and do visit the club on the odd occasion for a drink and a feed or to watch a Wests Tigers game. I am 100% all in on the Wests Tigers and proudly so.

Really interesting mate. Seems like we're very much in the same field, and I agree that our experiences aren't a good fit for a club board. Unless you're consulting or in IT leadership for a certain client group that fits with the sponsorship model.

Given your ability to self-assess the fit of your own capabilities and the quality in which you communicate, I still think you'd be a much better option than a large chunk of what they have there now.

TheEnz · 2026-02-25T17:21:57+1100

hammertime said:
Really interesting mate. Seems like we're very much in the same field, and I agree that our experiences aren't a good fit for a club board. Unless you're consulting or in IT leadership for a certain client group that fits with the sponsorship model.

Given your ability to self-assess the fit of your own capabilities and the quality in which you communicate, I still think you'd be a much better option than a large chunk of what they have there now.

Thanks HT, by the way the interviewers did say that if we were looking for IT leadership skills I would have been progressed, so all is not lost for us IT guys ;-) I did get on my soapbox with them though as I believe every board needs to have technology as a component of the skills matrix. Teams are relying on it quite heavily, and they should have someone at a board level that can help navigate what can be a very murky and crowded area.

mtd#2 · 2026-02-25T17:30:21+1100

hammertime said:
Really interesting mate. Seems like we're very much in the same field, and I agree that our experiences aren't a good fit for a club board. Unless you're consulting or in IT leadership for a certain client group that fits with the sponsorship model.

Given your ability to self-assess the fit of your own capabilities and the quality in which you communicate, I still think you'd be a much better option than what they have there now.

Interesting to see there are a few of us here working in tech. Its probably why we have high expextations/standards, because we are working in an industry that is ever evolving. If you don't evolve in our industry you get left behind.

What do you guys think of what's happening with claude ai? It definitely shook up the market.

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