Drama At Wests Tigers

[earl]

You only watched a small portion but long enough to state as a fact that he is stupid and uneducated.........when giving his first hand recollections of being a Wests Tigers player......righto.

Yep. It's called having an opinion. If that hurts your feelings so much because you admire him that is on you.

 

[Mistymuzzle]

100% agree. My take is that all that matters is your perspective. You don't have to compete with other people on their terms or societies terms. It's stupid.

You like throwing that word around Earl.
You realise that this discussion of Anastas wealth came from you saying he is stupid and uneducated, despite running two companies and ammassing a large Sydney property portfolio? That doesnt make him better, or more successful, but it does mean he is not stupid or uneducated.

How is your self awareness Earl, talking about success is your perspective and you are better than ad-hominems, money doesnt buy happiness.....but if a bloke says something you dont like about your football team taht he played for....he is Stupid and Uneducated?

 

[Mistymuzzle]

Yep. It's called having an opinion. If that hurts your feelings so much because you admire him that is on you.

I dont really have an opinion of Anasta at all, but I do have principles that hold up to more than a puff of breeze. I actually dont believe in ad-hominem attacks on people, I actually dont believe in making broad sweeping statements about people who I dont even know. When I do have an opinion I try to examine it whether it is based on any sort of facts or knowledge. Its a principle of mine and I stand by it. I think to do otherwise sounds bitter and small.

You on the other hand state.....as a fact...that Anasta is stupid and uneducated, because he gave first hand experience of his time at the Wests Tigers that you didnt like.

 

[earl]

I dont really have an opinion of Anasta at all, but I do have principles that hold up to more than a puff of breeze. I actually dont believe in ad-hominem attacks on people, I actually dont believe in making broad sweeping statements about people who I dont even know. When I do have an opinion I try to examine it whether it is based on any sort of facts or knowledge. Its a principle of mine and I stand by it. I think to do otherwise sounds bitter and small.

You on the other hand state.....as a fact...that Anasta is stupid and uneducated, because he gave first hand experience of his time at the Wests Tigers that you didnt like.

Mate - you started the ad-hominen attacks.

I've got better things to do than keep going on with you. It doesn't have to be much.

 

[The Chad]

I actually find Anasta's brutally honest opinion of his ill-fated time at the Tigers rather refreshing from the guess work that panel generally dish up.

Anasta signed to play for Tim Sheens. An opportunity he was sold on, and then had it taken away from him before he even started. He was then played in the 2nd Row at times.

Is he going to speak highly of his time? Unlikely? Did he EVER act unprofessionally while at the Tigers? Speak out of turn? Bag the club?

 

[Lauren]

I've removed a number of posts because they are against forum rules and regulations.

Please keep it civil guys and stop with the personal attacks.

 

[BZN]

Keep the faith
Trust the process
Something Something pathways
Tigers DNA.

Tigers DNA or Wests Tigers DNA gall?

 

[gallagher]

Tigers DNA or Wests Tigers DNA gall?

Oh yes, my bad. Wests Tigers 🤣

 

[BZN]

You like throwing that word around Earl.
You realise that this discussion of Anastas wealth came from you saying he is stupid and uneducated, despite running two companies and ammassing a large Sydney property portfolio? That doesnt make him better, or more successful, but it does mean he is not stupid or uneducated.

How is your self awareness Earl, talking about success is your perspective and you are better than ad-hominems, money doesnt buy happiness.....but if a bloke says something you dont like about your football team taht he played for....he is Stupid and Uneducated?

Great Posts Misty.
What I really appreciate the most is your lack of personal attacks/ad-hominem's .

You play the ball and not the man which is something a few others on here need to learn, particularly those that consider themselves to be keyboard warriors.

 

[BZN]

I've removed a number of posts because they are against forum rules and regulations.

Please keep it civil guys and stop with the personal attacks.

I've got a feeling 🔮 You and the other Mods will have a busy time removing posts in the near future.

 

[innsaneink]

On the eve of their latest rebirth, Wests Tigers are facing more internal drama following claims that club bosses are not accountable and are part of the reason the club has struggled on the field for the past decade.

Western Suburbs District Rugby League Football Club chairman Shannon Cavanagh says Wests Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis and chief executive Justin Pascoe need to acknowledge they are at least part of the problem at the club that finished with the wooden spoon last season.

Cavanagh is speaking out today before a disciplinary hearing he will front this week relating to a conversation he had with Pascoe in front of a club sponsor.

“They [Pascoe and Hagipantelis] are really lacking in self-awareness if they can’t acknowledge they are a big part of the issues at the club,” Cavanagh said. “I think they don’t listen and they can’t handle criticism at all. There is an arrogance that exists at the club and I don’t know why they would feel like that given the way the Wests Tigers have performed.”

The disciplinary hearing relates to a conversation Cavanagh had with Pascoe at the launch of the Tigers’ centre of excellence. During a lengthy and sometimes heated conversation, Cavanagh was asked by Pascoe who he thought should run the club. He suggested SEN radio host Jimmy Smith.

“He asked me out of the blue and I said Jimmy,” Cavanagh said. “And when I think about it he would be good. He played for Wests, knows footy and he has an MBA. I think he’d be a good choice.”

This column has the letter of complaint written by Hagipantelis tearing strips off Cavanagh. The letter to the Wests club says in part: “Mr Cavanagh’s conduct was reprehensible. In his capacity as Chair of Wests Magpies, he has not only embarrassed himself, but also your Club. More importantly from my perspective, and what is of particular concern to my Board, is that said conduct occurred in the presence of, and in fact engaged, sponsors of Wests Tigers. It has been now necessary for me to proffer a formal apology on behalf of Wests Tigers to Mr Fabry and to the other Sponsor with whom I spoke, for Mr Cavanagh’s misconduct.

“What is most galling is the arrogant presumption of Mr Cavanagh that he is in any position to level criticism of the Wests Tigers. To my understanding, confirmed by my discussions with our CEO, Mr Justin Pascoe, Mr Cavanagh has had absolutely no involvement in our Club’s operational matters ... In those circumstances, Mr Cavanagh has no foundation, let alone any entitlement, to criticise our CEO, Mr Justin Pascoe, the culture of our organisation and the manner in which it is operated or make any comment with respect to staff.

“... This is not the first occasion Mr Cavanagh has embarrassed himself by engaging in vitriol and criticism, in a public setting, of the Wests Tigers. The conduct being the subject of this complaint should therefore not be construed as a one-off but, somewhat disturbingly, a pattern of conduct.

“It is the view of the Wests Tigers Board that Mr Cavanagh is not a fit and proper person to fill the role of Chairman of Wests Magpies, or indeed, hold a membership.”

Cavanagh denied that he was in any away aggressive or out of line in his conversation with Pascoe. In a letter detailing the night, Cavanagh writes: “After I arrived home, I sent him [Pascoe] a direct message via Instagram at 11:56pm which said: ‘Thanks for the hospitality??? If that is Wests Tigers culture, we have problems. Very poor.’

“I also sent a text message to Simon Cook, the CEO of Wests Ashfield at 11:18pm which said: ‘Wow, Justin’s a great guy. And his mates’. I believe that my response to Mr Pascoe’s question concerning the CEO of Wests Tigers was reasonable given the facts that: (a) Wests Tigers have not made the finals whilst Mr Pascoe has been CEO since 2015; b) in 2022, Wests Tigers finished last; c) the media has branded the organisation with the terms such as ‘basket case’, ‘laughing stock’ and ‘embarrassment’, and; d) in 2018 the NRL suspended Mr Pascoe for six months due to ... not disclosing contracts as required under salary-cap regulations.”

Hagipantelis and Pascoe were contacted but declined to comment. Cavanagh’s hearing is this week.


**Lay off Angus**

The only issue anyone should care about when it comes to Angus Crichton is his health.

The fascination with Crichton is understandable from a news-hungry fan base, but whenever mental health is involved everyone needs to pull back. The mainstream media can’t control the messages floating around on social media, but they can respect the seriousness of what Crichton is dealing with.

One media organisation, or more particularly one journalist, hid behind the “staff writers” tag to break a story that many others knew about, but chose not to report, given the sensitivity. Most in the media know this is not something that anyone other than Crichton or his family can speak about.

I spoke with his father, Charlie, on Thursday. I will not disclose what was said, but he was highly emotional. His concern and love for his son was evident and the tears flowed. He and the rest of his family are going through hell. No one wants to see their child struggling.

Charlie Crichton contacted me because he wanted to make a statement on behalf of his son; to generously let the world in to at least know some of what they are dealing with: that Angus has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

To all those people on social media who criticised the release of the statement, they need to know that Charlie wanted to say something. I didn’t have his phone number before Thursday, and that was the only time I have talked to him. Charlie wanted to discuss how the statement should be released.

Like everyone else, my view is that the only important thing is Angus’ health. And if he is well, fit and thriving in his career, he may one day be in the position to share his thoughts and experiences. If not, everyone should accept that.


**Joe and tell**

We brought you the news last week of the secret Souths contract offered to Joseph Suaalii, and also told you how the Roosters were running out of patience with his agent, Isaac Moses.

The amount that Suaalii can earn if he activates the contract option in his favour for 2024 is $700,000. That’s $100,000 less than the Souths offer for 2024. But the Bunnies were ready to pay another $1.9 million for the following two years.


**Welcome back, SBW**

The Bulldogs have come a long way and are a united bunch. That is evident by who spoke to the team at one of their final pre-season training sessions.

Sonny Bill Williams was invited by coach Cameron Ciraldo and general manager of football Phil Gould to speak to the team. It’s quite the turnaround for SBW, who went from being a favourite son to despised at Belmore after walking out on the club and a lengthy contract in 2008.

Ciraldo initially wanted Williams to present the first-grade team with their jumpers before their first game of the NRL season, but Williams had prior commitments.

The Bulldogs are reconnecting with their past and have Willie Mason working with the squad, while Mark O’Meley also has a role with the club. The inclusion of Josh Jackson on their fitness staff is also a smart play, given the lack of experience in the playing ranks.


**Politis cheesed off**

Roosters chairman Nick Politis is thrilled with new recruit Brandon Smith, but he’s not as delighted with his nickname, “Cheese”. Politis is on the lookout for a new nickname for the Roosters No.9. “Can’t we find him a better name than the Cheese?” Politis said. “We need something more eastern suburbs.”

It was Andrew Johns who started calling Smith the “block of cheese” in commentary, but only the “Cheese” part stuck.

Smith has settled into the eastern suburbs, where he starts most days spearfishing off the rocks at north Bondi, where he’s joined by Victor Radley, who is also full of life.


**Dragons ryled up?**

The hottest rumour in town during the week was that Jason Ryles had been approached to take over as Dragons coach from next year.

There is no question that Anthony Griffin is under extreme pressure and the seemingly never-ending off-field dramas don’t help.

Ryles was quizzed about whether he’d been approached, and he denied any contact with the Dragons. His manager, George Mimis, confirmed this.

Just a few weeks ago, the strong word coming out of the Dragons was that the board was happy for Griffin to continue. You can’t help but think recent behavioural issues and a lacklustre display in the Charity Shield will be testing that resolve.


**Millie on the boil**

Knights NRLW premiership-winning captain Millie Boyle has joined Channel Nine’s Wide World of Sports and will appear on the network’s NRL and NRLW coverage this season.

Boyle has been in high demand and was pursued by Fox League but chose to go with Nine.

It’s been a big year off the field for Boyle: she got engaged to Knights recruit Adam Elliott and won TV show SAS Australia, all while winning the women’s State of Origin clash and NRLW title.

No mention from Lee initially that Cavanagh stated he wanted WTs to fold and be replaced by Wests Magpie's in the NRL.... You'd think he'd have brought it up back then 🤔. Not now

 

[Tito Santana]

Not sure about the houso background -his father was pretty successful in business.

Who are you talking about?

 

[innsaneink]

Who are you talking about?

Anasta

 

[Tito Santana]

Anasta

Who was the peanut who said he grew up in housing commission? I’m from Maroubra and played against him. The house he grew up in backs on to Randwick Golf Course at Malabar where he still holds heaps of records. The guy isn’t a rise from the ghetto story.

 

[Aceshigh]

Who was the peanut who said he grew up in housing commission? I’m from Maroubra and played against him. The house he grew up in backs on to Randwick Golf Course at Malabar where he still holds heaps of records. The guy isn’t a rise from the ghetto story.

You are so right i played Randwick golf course plenty of times and the Anasta home is a real gem

 

[Todd Packer]

Who was the peanut who said he grew up in housing commission? I’m from Maroubra and played against him. The house he grew up in backs on to Randwick Golf Course at Malabar where he still holds heaps of records. The guy isn’t a rise from the ghetto story.

I'm calling bullshit. You grew up in Mission Texas and attended West Texas University.

 

[Tito Santana]

I'm calling bullshit. You grew up in Mission Texas and attended West Texas University.

Tito is cultured.

 

[innsaneink]

Who was the peanut who said he grew up in housing commission? I’m from Maroubra and played against him. The house he grew up in backs on to Randwick Golf Course at Malabar where he still holds heaps of records. The guy isn’t a rise from the ghetto story.

I'm the peanut.... I was mistaken

So sorry for offending you

 

[Odessa]

Yeah not bad for a houso kid from south maroubra

I don't get the hate for him... Never have... Ever since he hit first grade

He is not a houso I was working with a family member of his and he is the black sheep of the family something happened to him when he was young and messed him up very sad story he has a few issues to deal with and was told he was never the same afterwards

 

[GCfan]

I'm the peanut.... I was mistaken

So sorry for offending you

It takes a good Peanut to admit to being a Peanut. Good on you Ink!