HBG, Independent Directors Sacked

[The Chad]

The NRL grant pays the salary cap 🤦‍♂️ not HBG.

For sure. But people are equating that leagues club financial investment & on field success are a direct result - the Bulldogs being used as the example.

One of the arguments against HBG is their level of financial investment.

However, in 2025, the Wests Tigers improved on field using the smaller amount of leagues club investment but also using the grant money more wisely.

Point being- the level of investment from the leagues club doesn't necessarily impact results. Gallagher said it better.

 

[mtd#2]

Before we hold the Bulldogs up as the shining example of how money makes you competitive...

I think we can all agree that their financial investment has gotten them just as many premiership wins as the HBG run Tigers in recent years.

They also spent a decent chunk of money on players like Galvin, who most on here happily question as a 'good business decision'.

I think to support (I think it's Gallagher?)....it's not really important HOW much money a Leagues club invests, but more how it's spent?

What was different the last couple of seasons at Wests Tigers? Was it the board members that turned the club around? Or the money spent on Luai, Turuva, May, Skelton, Fainu's x 3 etc?

HBG along with the money granted to the club, provided enough financial support for the club to invest in the right players. I think we put too much weight on the importance of the figures provided, and not enough on HOW it is used.

To double down on that- before we then praise Richo & the board- it has been repeated over & over that recruitment fell on Benji.

So are the players & Richo lying & Benji wasn't the main turning point? Or are we putting too much weight on the impact of the board?

You cant focus on a few signings who wanted to play under Benji and claim all is good in the hood. What happens when the next generation who didn't grow up watching Benji come through, what do we have to fall back on then?

The Bulldogs are using their clubs money to reinvent the club and appeal to future generations. They have consistent branding from under 16s and up. They are investing in grass roots development. They want the south west corridor which is currently under the wests tigers... but what are the wests tigers doing with it? Not much... and whos fault is that? It'd be like a mining company sitting on billions of dollars of natural resources and just twiddling their thumbs and saying "well old mate down the road isnt doing it"...

I guess I've seen the success at Penrith and think that the tigers could be replicating that... failure isnt acceptable anymkrr.. mediocre isnt enough any more, we want the club to be where it should be; a regular top 8 side.

 

[The Chad]

You cant focus on a few signings who wanted to play under Benji and claim all is good in the hood. What happens when the next generation who didn't grow up watching Benji come through, what do we have to fall back on then?

The Bulldogs are using their clubs money to reinvent the club and appeal to future generations. They have consistent branding from under 16s and up. They are investing in grass roots development. They want the south west corridor which is currently under the wests tigers... but what are the wests tigers doing with it? Not much... and whos fault is that? It'd be like a mining company sitting on billions of dollars of natural resources and just twiddling their thumbs and saying "well old mate down the road isnt doing it"...

I guess I've seen the success at Penrith and think that the tigers could be replicating that... failure isnt acceptable anymkrr.. mediocre isnt enough any more, we want the club to be where it should be; a regular top 8 side.

I'm not saying you're wrong- but why are we assuming the Wests Tigers are doing nothing with junior development?

Particularly when it's pretty much accepted that the Bulldogs, Souths & Parramatta are trying to break in.

Breaking in suggests that it's being held by someone- Wests Tigers.

Is there an indication that the club is actually losing it's junior base? Because it seems the club itself does nothing but promote the large amount of juniors coming through & development of pathways.

If the Bulldogs junior development is going gangbusters through financial investment- why are they outlaying on Galvin, Burton, Crichton, Kikau etc from other clubs junior paths? For every player they are losing, shouldn't their junior development investment be throwing out the next Makasini etc for them to NOT have to buy from other clubs?

 

[Lestronge]

Whilst a few self interested types are bleating to this empty thread from their shakey podcast pulpit, the squad continues to prepare for our round 2 start.
I’m interested to watch the narrative of this thread change as we progress into the season.…especially if this years squad are as successful as I’m predicting they will be.

So you’re happy with the shambolic torpedo put through the club in December ?
If the answer is no , which it should be , after years of attempts of pressuring the club into modernising, then the only right thing was to put pressure on the HBG .
Of which they’ve since backflipped, (all board members were offered thier role back) been investigated by thier own governing body in liquor and gaming as well as had external pressure put on the nrl license by the NRL and PVL.
If the team is successful and the governance stabilised , it won’t be because Darcy and Unite guys were wrong , it will because the HBG had to walk back thier original agenda , and even lose various people from the wests tigers board .
I personally have zero issue with the HBG CEO being added to the wests tigers board , especially as he was a CFO prior to being promoted to CEO. That’s a skillet that adds value to the wests tigers board.
Guys like Montgomery and Burgess … a skill set of being able to spend 30 years playing board room survivor , adds little value to the wests tigers.
None of those moves were going to happen if not for the unite guys , people deep diving burgess instagram , and Darcy Byrne . As well as the liquor and gaming and PVL.
They were planning on continuing thier HBG survivor bullshit , that has been going on for 2 years . Only thy were looking to bring it back to the wests tigers board .
It’s all good to sit on your pedestal and criticise those who are actually trying to influence change . Rather than jumping on a forum and arguing with half of it from your soapbox in North QLD.

 

[The Chad]

Its also hard to know whether the charges were legitimate in the first place. The left is so radical at the moment. They went after Trump, who is a convicted Rapist and Felon, who is a convicted Rapist and Felon and had federal agencies to try ban him on social media platforms. They rallied to ban anyone questioning covid... and they call anyone who disagree with them fascist or nazis.. yet they are the ones exhibiting that behaviour...

Im not a Trump, who is a convicted Rapist and Felon, who is a convicted Rapist and Felon fan either by the way... super grateful we are in australia.. even if we have our own bs issues.. it isnt at the same stage of the US (yet).

No, of course not.

However, saying that Barnier is innocent because no charges stuck means the world should hold the same standard for the American president too- which we all know isn't the case.

 

[The Chad]

So you’re happy with the shambolic torpedo put through the club in December ?
If the answer is no , which it should be , after years of attempts of pressuring the club into modernising, then the only right thing was to put pressure on the HBG .
Of which they’ve since backflipped, (all board members were offered thier role back) been investigated by thier own governing body in liquor and gaming as well as had external pressure put on the nrl license by the NRL and PVL.
If the team is successful and the governance stabilised , it won’t be because Darcy and Unite guys were wrong , it will because the HBG had to walk back thier original agenda , and even lose various people from the wests tigers board .
I personally have zero issue with the HBG CEO being added to the wests tigers board , especially as he was a CFO prior to being promoted to CEO. That’s a skillet that adds value to the wests tigers board.
Guys like Montgomery and Burgess … a skill set of being able to spend 30 years playing board room survivor , adds little value to the wests tigers.
None of those moves were going to happen if not for the unite guys , people deep diving burgess instagram , and Darcy Byrne . As well as the liquor and gaming and PVL.
They were planning on continuing thier HBG survivor bullshit , that has been going on for 2 years . Only thy were looking to bring it back to the wests tigers board .
It’s all good to sit on your pedestal and criticise those who are actually trying to influence change . Rather than jumping on a forum and arguing with half of it from your soapbox in North QLD.

This actually bothers me.

At the time that his Instagram account 'issue' came up- the common theory was that it was readily accessible, it was mixed in with Wests Tigers/HBG propaganda & that he was actively supporting certain instagram celebrities.

Now the narrative is a group took a 'deep dive' to a person's account- presumably to dig up dirt?

Not a defence of anyone's personal choices, but imagine if someone decided they didn't like the way you mow your grass, so they gather a group to dig up your skeletons & then promote those findings with any that would listen?

What he looks at & likes, so long as it isn't illegal, shouldn't even be an issue. It doesn't impact his ability to do a job as far as I'm aware. This was done as a slur tactic. Done to embarrass or ridicule. It should be acknowledged as such. Who knows what impact this meanness has on a person's life away from the spotlight?

 

[wstigers11]

For sure. But people are equating that leagues club financial investment & on field success are a direct result - the Bulldogs being used as the example.

One of the arguments against HBG is their level of financial investment.

However, in 2025, the Wests Tigers improved on field using the smaller amount of leagues club investment but also using the grant money more wisely.

Point being- the level of investment from the leagues club doesn't necessarily impact results. Gallagher said it better.

Of course it does. Since Gould took over they’ve invested $5 million into their pathways and development. They have academy’s from Dubbo to Fiji. They’ve recruited & stockpiled all the best kids in every grade in every position. They’d easily have the most kids contracted of any other club and will continue building their depth. The roosters have an academy that puts their juniors in apartments ffs. WT does not have even close to the funding to compete with that.

 

[The Chad]

Of course it does. Since Gould took over they’ve invested $5 million into their pathways and development. They have academy’s from Dubbo to Fiji. They’ve recruited & stockpiled all the best kids in every grade in every position. They’d easily have the most kids contracted of any other club and will continue building their depth. The roosters have an academy that puts their juniors in apartments ffs. WT does not have even close to the funding to compete with that.

How much did the Tigers invest? Remembering that their junior development plans are further advanced at this stage so the start up costs are different.

With that $5m investment- why is that club still actively buying the likes of Galvin & chasing Bula too? Are they not developing these players themselves?

Compare the Bulldogs to the Panthers. When the Panthers lose a KEY junior player to another club, do they replace from within their ranks or buy from outside?

There's money spent, and there's smart spending. They are not always the same thing.

 

[wstigers11]

How much did the Tigers invest? Remembering that their junior development plans are further advanced at this stage so the start up costs are different.

With that $5m investment- why is that club still actively buying the likes of Galvin & chasing Bula too? Are they not developing these players themselves?

Compare the Bulldogs to the Panthers. When the Panthers lose a KEY junior player to another club, do they replace from within their ranks or buy from outside?

There's money spent, and there's smart spending. They are not always the same thing.

HBG only invest under $2m to the club itself period. We’ve been running at a loss since forever so can’t be much. Remember Hastings had to pay for his own flight with the team for a game because of financial restraints? Our cup coach is part-time. We don’t have the $$ to get in the top staff or trainers in their fields like the Roosters do. I don’t even remember if we’ve ever had a goal kicking coach. I guess that’s a ‘luxury’ when you’re only just breaking even.

Re Bulldogs, pathways take time of course they are improving their first grade roster. Penrith recruited heavily while their pathways were being set up and the juniors eventually rolled in. Gus’ end goal is a constant production line like Penrith which is achievable with how much they invest.

 

[gallagher]

HBG only invest under $2m to the club itself period. We’ve been running at a loss since forever so can’t be much. Remember Hastings had to pay for his own flight with the team for a game because of financial restraints? Our cup coach is part-time. We don’t have the $$ to get in the top staff or trainers in their fields like the Roosters do. I don’t even remember if we’ve ever had a goal kicking coach. I guess that’s a ‘luxury’ when you’re only just breaking even.

Re Bulldogs, pathways take time of course they are improving their first grade roster. Penrith recruited heavily while their pathways were being set up and the juniors eventually rolled in. Gus’ end goal is a constant production line like Penrith which is achievable with how much they invest.

Would you be happy if the club played all its games at CommBank to improve funding?

 

[The Chad]

HBG only invest under $2m to the club itself period. We’ve been running at a loss since forever so can’t be much. Remember Hastings had to pay for his own flight with the team for a game because of financial restraints? Our cup coach is part-time. We don’t have the $$ to get in the top staff or trainers in their fields like the Roosters do. I don’t even remember if we’ve ever had a goal kicking coach. I guess that’s a ‘luxury’ when you’re only just breaking even.

Re Bulldogs, pathways take time of course they are improving their first grade roster. Penrith recruited heavily while their pathways were being set up and the juniors eventually rolled in. Gus’ end goal is a constant production line like Penrith which is achievable with how much they invest.

I can't find any reported numbers on how clubs fund junior development.

I think that would make an interesting read.

I did find an article from 10 years ago that had St George, NQ & then the Tigers as the top 3 clubs investing in junior development- with the Dragons reported to spend $3.5m.

Obviously that was 10 years ago & times change.

Is the money that Wests/HBG put into the Wests Tigers ($1.8m) the only money they spend? That money is for the Wests Tigers club, yeah? How much do they invest into junior football in the area?

Pretty sure someone brought up their charter (HBG) the other day & in it is their resolve to develop junior football in the Western Suburbs region.

I also read that Souths Leagues funds junior development away from Souths RLFC- so not part of any money sent to the NRL club.

Are Wests doing the same?

Do we know those numbers at all?

 

[gallagher]

I can't find any reported numbers on how clubs fund junior development.

I think that would make an interesting read.

I did find an article from 10 years ago that had St George, NQ & then the Tigers as the top 3 clubs investing in junior development- with the Dragons reported to spend $3.5m.

Obviously that was 10 years ago & times change.

Is the money that Wests/HBG put into the Wests Tigers ($1.8m) the only money they spend? That money is for the Wests Tigers club, yeah? How much do they invest into junior football in the area?

Pretty sure someone brought up their charter (HBG) the other day & in it is their resolve to develop junior football in the Western Suburbs region.

I also read that Souths Leagues funds junior development away from Souths RLFC- so not part of any money sent to the NRL club.

Are Wests doing the same?

Do we know those numbers at all?

Don't know the numbers but I'm sure that HBG directly fund Balmain juniors and wests Campbelltown fund western suburbs juniors.
Wests tigers fund wests tigers branded teams. NRL, NRLW and Flegg

 

[wstigers11]

I can't find any reported numbers on how clubs fund junior development.

I think that would make an interesting read.

I did find an article from 10 years ago that had St George, NQ & then the Tigers as the top 3 clubs investing in junior development- with the Dragons reported to spend $3.5m.

Obviously that was 10 years ago & times change.

Is the money that Wests/HBG put into the Wests Tigers ($1.8m) the only money they spend? That money is for the Wests Tigers club, yeah? How much do they invest into junior football in the area?

Pretty sure someone brought up their charter (HBG) the other day & in it is their resolve to develop junior football in the Western Suburbs region.

I also read that Souths Leagues funds junior development away from Souths RLFC- so not part of any money sent to the NRL club.

Are Wests doing the same?

Do we know those numbers at all?

Not sure TC would definitely be interesting to know, seems they keep the dollar amounts close to their chest though.

Would you be happy if the club played all its games at CommBank to improve funding?

Personally the stadium thing doesn’t bother me. I’ll support them wherever is good for the team so yeah. I’m younger though, I get some of the fan base want to keep the connection with Leichhardt etc.

 

[The Chad]

Don't know the numbers but I'm sure that HBG directly fund Balmain juniors and wests Campbelltown fund western suburbs juniors.
Wests tigers fund wests tigers branded teams. NRL, NRLW and Flegg

That's what I thought. THOSE numbers might make interesting reading in this thread.

 

[gallagher]

This actually bothers me.

At the time that his Instagram account 'issue' came up- the common theory was that it was readily accessible, it was mixed in with Wests Tigers/HBG propaganda & that he was actively supporting certain instagram celebrities.

Now the narrative is a group took a 'deep dive' to a person's account- presumably to dig up dirt?

Not a defence of anyone's personal choices, but imagine if someone decided they didn't like the way you mow your grass, so they gather a group to dig up your skeletons & then promote those findings with any that would listen?

What he looks at & likes, so long as it isn't illegal, shouldn't even be an issue. It doesn't impact his ability to do a job as far as I'm aware. This was done as a slur tactic. Done to embarrass or ridicule. It should be acknowledged as such. Who knows what impact this meanness has on a person's life away from the spotlight?

Anyone doing this sort of thing needs to take a step away for awhile. There's got to be more important things in your life.

 

[The Chad]

Not sure TC would definitely be interesting to know, seems they keep the dollar amounts close to their chest though.

Personally the stadium thing doesn’t bother me. I’ll support them wherever is good for the team so yeah. I’m younger though, I get some of the fan base want to keep the connection with Leichhardt etc.

Agree with the stadium thing.

Personally, I've always held the belief that, given we are WESTS Tigers, Campbelltown Stadium makes the most sense as the long term stadium for the club. (Of current built stadiums). But it needs significant investment. If the club can have a home base that is ours (Campbelltown) and still play a handful of games at Leichardt for the fan connection (which is vitally important) that would be the ideal situation.

Campbelltown needs to SEAT 30k people.

 

[The Chad]

Anyone doing this sort of thing needs to take a step away for awhile. There's got to be more important things in your life.

It was a witch hunt. No matter what your feelings are toward him & HBG- this always felt underhanded when it came out on this forum.

 

[wstigers11]

Agree with the stadium thing.

Personally, I've always held the belief that, given we are WESTS Tigers, Campbelltown Stadium makes the most sense as the long term stadium for the club. (Of current built stadiums). But it needs significant investment. If the club can have a home base that is ours (Campbelltown) and still play a handful of games at Leichardt for the fan connection (which is vitally important) that would be the ideal situation.

Campbelltown needs to SEAT 30k people.

Nailed it mate.

 

[The Chad]

Nailed it mate.

Added to that- it needs a significant parking upgrade. Multi level car park would be an incredible investment, not just on game day.

 

[gallagher]

Agree with the stadium thing.

Personally, I've always held the belief that, given we are WESTS Tigers, Campbelltown Stadium makes the most sense as the long term stadium for the club. (Of current built stadiums). But it needs significant investment. If the club can have a home base that is ours (Campbelltown) and still play a handful of games at Leichardt for the fan connection (which is vitally important) that would be the ideal situation.

Campbelltown needs to SEAT 30k people.

It's been ridiculous for decades now, and by all levels of management, that the inner west became the focus over the south west.
I don't see how that ever gets rectified.