HBG, Independent Directors Sacked

[Flash089]

Could you imagine Parramatta fans correcting each other saying “We aren’t Parramatta, we are the Parramatta Eels”? Bit silly right?

It’s a bit tiring that the Wests name has been demonised to the point that whenever it is uttered, it’s immediately seen as a Magpie reference, yet it’s part of the name of the bloody club.

Cool. So you agree that the NSW Cup side should be named after our bloody club, Wests Tigers ?

 

[Jolls]

Marshall will not only be a WTs' great on the field, but a great off it as well if he can hold the players and recruitment together. PVL has said he wants Marshall/the playing group quarantined from the ructions off field. Hopefully PVL will be informed firsthand by the four ex directors about what has happened within the Boardroom.

It was expected that there would be deliberate leaks around Richo and the board from HBG to set the conditions for their takeover, but no sooner is Richo out the door and the leaks start to put pressure on the coach and by extension the playing group.

Sure investigate Brad Arthur to replace Benji if he is not performing but leaking it to the press puts undue pressure on him and the team. So who is making these "decisions" given there is no CEO? Mielinkamp woldn't be doing his job if he didn't have a succession plan in place, but given his backgound and previous behaviour the leak is very likely to have come from HBG - setting the scene to throw out the last of the "Richo" crew.

The conversation should have simply been between Benji and Mielenkamp not HBG and the media.

So for those still stating that operating under HBG won't change things much - it hasn't aged a day!

 

[BAGNF05]

Reports 7 players threatening to leave

HBG “This won’t affect the footy department”

SHAME

 

[Tom Shines]

Reports 7 players threatening to leave

HBG “This won’t affect the footy department”

SHAME

Reports 7 players threatening to leave

HBG - “only 7 ?…. We were hoping for more “

 

[Jolls]

Reports 7 players threatening to leave

HBG - “only 7 ?…. We were hoping for more “

But I'll bet it isn't the 7 we can afford to shed - if it happens we will be back to a team full of geriatric NRL players looking for their final paycheck supported by a bunch of plodders. I think I have seen this movie before.

 

[Tom Shines]

But I'll bet it isn't the 7 we can afford to shed - if it happens we will be back to a team full of geriatric NRL players lookig for their final paycheck supported by a bunch of plodders. I think I have seen this movie before.

Fans won’t stick by the team this time though …given it seems engineered

 

[mtd#2]

If HBG can further destabilise the team by getting rid of Marshall…. It won’t be long until that happens ..

I think that's a stretch, can't see it happening.

Benji isn't part of the Balmain vs Wests politics.

I don't see any reason Benji would be in their crosshairs.. he isn't interfering with their agenda...

He should be fine as long as he wins games and doesn't comment on HBG publicly

 

[Tom Shines]

No it’s not, so convincing WT to go into voluntary administration is the only option.

PVL would need to “convince them “ somehow …I don’t see how it happens otherwise , and he might not be able to..

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/wests-tigers-players-threaten-to-leave-if-coach-benji-marshall-exits-club/news-story/1ec9816caf8f50af1e33c5c0d17469b5

 

[Tom Shines]

I think that's a stretch, can't see it happening.

Benji isn't part of the Balmain vs Wests politics.

I don't see any reason Benji would be in their crosshairs.. he isn't interfering with their agenda...

He should be fine as long as he wins games and doesn't comment on HBG publicly

It depends whether you think that there is a deliberate strategy to destabilise the team going on … I don’t see how the actions to date can be logically explained otherwise

 

[BAGNF05]

I think that's a stretch, can't see it happening.

Benji isn't part of the Balmain vs Wests politics.

I don't see any reason Benji would be in their crosshairs.. he isn't interfering with their agenda...

He should be fine as long as he wins games and doesn't comment on HBG publicly

That’s toxic as.

 

[Betterdays22]

Few here must be over the moon with the links to BA. Im sure that grass is greener...

 

[Tom Shines]

Few here must be over the moon with the links to BA. Im sure that grass is greener...

First new player target - Ryan Matterson

 

[BAGNF05]

BA would politely decline folks.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Wests Tigers players threaten to leave if coach Benji Marshall exits club​

After weeks of boardroom brawling, the Wests Tigers have lost a CEO and four independent directors. But there is one person they cannot afford to lose, with players threatening to walk out on the club if coach Benji Marshall is sacked or quits.

Dean Ritchie
December 10, 2025 - 5:00AM

A cluster of high-profile Wests Tigers players have told football staff they would consider quitting the embattled club if coach Benji Marshall walks away – or is sacked – during the club’s ugly boardroom brawling.
And they could land collectively in Perth.

Players are fed-up with the club’s political infighting as Marshall desperately attempts to quarantine his roster from the damaging headlines.

Marshall is known to be highly irritated at the ongoing drama at Concord.

Star players Jarome Luai, Jahream Bula, Terrell and Taylan May along with the Fainu brothers – Sione, Samuela and Latu – have spoken privately about their futures at Concord should the bloodletting soon include Marshall.

A host of Wests Tigers players have threatened to quit the Wests Tigers if coach Benji Marshall departs the club.
This masthead understands that the players have told the club’s football staff they would seek to explore other opportunities should Marshall leave.

The players didn’t and haven’t sought a release and their message to the club was conveyed informally.

There are suggestions that the group could look at staying together by heading west to join Mal Meninga’s Perth Bears.

The dysfunctional Wests Tigers are in damage control.


Luai may not be able to command the same money at Perth but the wealthy local mining sector could prop-up his wage through third-party agreements.

The players could also use the current crisis to leave the joint venture club without copping heat from fans, who are equally angry.

Marshall’s position at Wests Tigers is safe despite the uncertainty around every club employee after the sacking of four independent directors last week and the removal of veteran CEO Shane Richardson on Monday.

The Tigers have lost CEO Shane Richardson and four independent directors as ugly boardroom brawling engulfs the club. Picture: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard
The future of Holman Barnes Group chairman and Wests Magpies chairman Dennis Burgess is now uncertain.

Luai and Bula have clauses allowing them to leave the club after next season. Well-placed sources predict Bula may end up at the Canterbury Bulldogs.

Latu and Samuela Fainu come off contract after 2027, Sione after next season. The May brothers finish their contracts at Concord following the 2027 season.

Start-up franchise Perth could swoop if the issues at Wests Tigers continue and players look to exit.

Melbourne Storm supplied three players – Felise Kaufusi, Jesse Bromwich and Kenny Bromwich – in the Dolphins inaugural season.

Could the Fainu brothers be part of a Tigers exodus to Perth? Picture: NRL Photos
Uncertainty also reigns over who will replace Richardson.

Manly’s Tony Mestrov is a strong and well-credentialed candidate, as is recently promoted Wests Tigers general manager of football, Shaun Mielekamp.

Mielekamp, a former Central Coast Mariners chief executive, was previously the merchandise and marketing manager at Penrith and Souths.

He was employed at Wests Tigers last year as general manager of community, foundation and affiliates. Richardson labelled Mielekamp a “fantastic administrator.”

Holman Barnes Group director Francesco Primerano is the club’s prominent powerbroker while HBG CEO Darren Paton also wields influence. They are the two primary figures who will select a new CEO.

There could be an interim chief executive named while the club completes a full due diligence process.

 

[murrayf]

Well played HBG.

Trouble Again 🚨 Boardroom breakup set to spark protest amid Player exodu...

via @YouTube

 

[Jolls]

I think that's a stretch, can't see it happening.

Benji isn't part of the Balmain vs Wests politics.

I don't see any reason Benji would be in their crosshairs.. he isn't interfering with their agenda...

He should be fine as long as he wins games and doesn't comment on HBG publicly

how do you explan the leak?

"Insiders have told Wide World of Sports that the group has already secretly nominated a potential replacement for Marshall - former Eels coach Brad Arthur."

 

[Muffstar]

Reports 7 players threatening to leave

HBG “This won’t affect the footy department”

SHAME

As long as Benji is coach imo we are ok. But just reading that there is talk of someone who may replace Benji is so undermining not just for Benji but the entire team.

I cannot fathom what these people are thinking by even suggesting coaching alternatives given how fragile things are now.

Part of me would like to see the players walk if Benji goes and sadly I wouldn't care.

 

[Bus 2 Terrigal]

Teams are supposed to be united, and if you dont share the same vision, thats usually when people leave (i.e. galvin).

Thats the frustration from people on here. We need to be united towards winning under one banner, and for the most part, are.

HBG debenture holders are a very clear issue with that shared vision and everyone should be united to ensure we fix those issues with either democratic, accountable structures or removing them somehow.

If you're an apologist or defending them, then thats the issue where people feel like youre not part of the team.

What nonsense. You say teams (you seem to be including us fans in that) need to be united. So no one on the forum has ever bagged anything about the Wests Ts. None of the players, the coach, not even the officials. Couldn’t have given we’re all a big harmonious team.

And just for knowledge - I’m not an apologist for anyone

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Wests Tigers players threaten to leave if coach Benji Marshall exits club​

After weeks of boardroom brawling, the Wests Tigers have lost a CEO and four independent directors. But there is one person they cannot afford to lose, with players threatening to walk out on the club if coach Benji Marshall is sacked or quits.

Dean Ritchie
December 10, 2025 - 5:00AM

A cluster of high-profile Wests Tigers players have told football staff they would consider quitting the embattled club if coach Benji Marshall walks away – or is sacked – during the club’s ugly boardroom brawling.
And they could land collectively in Perth.

Players are fed-up with the club’s political infighting as Marshall desperately attempts to quarantine his roster from the damaging headlines.

Marshall is known to be highly irritated at the ongoing drama at Concord.

Star players Jarome Luai, Jahream Bula, Terrell and Taylan May along with the Fainu brothers – Sione, Samuela and Latu – have spoken privately about their futures at Concord should the bloodletting soon include Marshall.

A host of Wests Tigers players have threatened to quit the Wests Tigers if coach Benji Marshall departs the club.
This masthead understands that the players have told the club’s football staff they would seek to explore other opportunities should Marshall leave.

The players didn’t and haven’t sought a release and their message to the club was conveyed informally.

There are suggestions that the group could look at staying together by heading west to join Mal Meninga’s Perth Bears.

The dysfunctional Wests Tigers are in damage control.


Luai may not be able to command the same money at Perth but the wealthy local mining sector could prop-up his wage through third-party agreements.

The players could also use the current crisis to leave the joint venture club without copping heat from fans, who are equally angry.

Marshall’s position at Wests Tigers is safe despite the uncertainty around every club employee after the sacking of four independent directors last week and the removal of veteran CEO Shane Richardson on Monday.

The Tigers have lost CEO Shane Richardson and four independent directors as ugly boardroom brawling engulfs the club. Picture: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard
The future of Holman Barnes Group chairman and Wests Magpies chairman Dennis Burgess is now uncertain.

Luai and Bula have clauses allowing them to leave the club after next season. Well-placed sources predict Bula may end up at the Canterbury Bulldogs.

Latu and Samuela Fainu come off contract after 2027, Sione after next season. The May brothers finish their contracts at Concord following the 2027 season.

Start-up franchise Perth could swoop if the issues at Wests Tigers continue and players look to exit.

Melbourne Storm supplied three players – Felise Kaufusi, Jesse Bromwich and Kenny Bromwich – in the Dolphins inaugural season.

Could the Fainu brothers be part of a Tigers exodus to Perth? Picture: NRL Photos
Uncertainty also reigns over who will replace Richardson.

Manly’s Tony Mestrov is a strong and well-credentialed candidate, as is recently promoted Wests Tigers general manager of football, Shaun Mielekamp.

Mielekamp, a former Central Coast Mariners chief executive, was previously the merchandise and marketing manager at Penrith and Souths.

He was employed at Wests Tigers last year as general manager of community, foundation and affiliates. Richardson labelled Mielekamp a “fantastic administrator.”

Holman Barnes Group director Francesco Primerano is the club’s prominent powerbroker while HBG CEO Darren Paton also wields influence. They are the two primary figures who will select a new CEO.

There could be an interim chief executive named while the club completes a full due diligence process.

I have no doubt the players feel great loyalty to Marshall. The stuff about the Bulldogs and Perth is just speculative garbage. Marshall holds the key and from what I read PVL wants Marshall and the playing group quarantined from this mess