Bus 2 Terrigal
Well-known member
Who’s the idiot ?
HBG, Independent Directors Sacked
- Thread starter BlackWhiteGold
- Start date
Let us know how it goes
innsaneink
Well-known member
Yeah....it wouldnt worry me.
I think it would be fir the betterment of the club.
I think @Lestronge articulated it well...strange i cant tag him now has he been booted?
Tiger_Bond
Well-known member
When HBG decided with it’s infinite wisdom to take the action that it did I got emotional (angry) as many fans on and off this forum did, not only with HBG but also any of its “defenders/supporters”.
Now that we wall had time to absorb the incompetence of HBG and if the people who are active about the people’s voice and rallying is going ahead they need to direct their rally to NRL HQ as this would be more effective for the end result as the HBG board have proven to be weasels whereby they would say and do anything for their main superpower (debenture boardroom system) to not be threatened or changed.
As long as this debenture governance system is in play at HBG it will be a threat to our great club “WESTS TIGERS” and the NRL needs to understand this.
NRL needs to:
A. Force HBG’s hand to change the said governance system to maintain current ownership; or
B. NRL to takeover PERMANENTLY of Wests Tigers Football Board with absolute power (appoint a permanent administrator or the like) if HBG chooses to not change their governance ; or
C. NRL to force sell/changeover of licence to qualified new owner with legal protective measures in the contracts.
Change one way or another is needed otherwise this will be an ongoing cycle. So demonstrations should be directed at NRL HQ as they are the only party with any interest in the outcome (outside HBG) that has the ability to influence any form of change.
Now that we wall had time to absorb the incompetence of HBG and if the people who are active about the people’s voice and rallying is going ahead they need to direct their rally to NRL HQ as this would be more effective for the end result as the HBG board have proven to be weasels whereby they would say and do anything for their main superpower (debenture boardroom system) to not be threatened or changed.
As long as this debenture governance system is in play at HBG it will be a threat to our great club “WESTS TIGERS” and the NRL needs to understand this.
NRL needs to:
A. Force HBG’s hand to change the said governance system to maintain current ownership; or
B. NRL to takeover PERMANENTLY of Wests Tigers Football Board with absolute power (appoint a permanent administrator or the like) if HBG chooses to not change their governance ; or
C. NRL to force sell/changeover of licence to qualified new owner with legal protective measures in the contracts.
Change one way or another is needed otherwise this will be an ongoing cycle. So demonstrations should be directed at NRL HQ as they are the only party with any interest in the outcome (outside HBG) that has the ability to influence any form of change.
hank37w
Well-known member
Everyone needs a distraction, although I have to admit that I didn't really need this one.
BAGNF05
Well-known member
We’ll march wherever we have to mate. HBGOUT
twentyforty
Well-known member
Under the proposed new rules we’ll always have a 7 on the bench.
The news keeps coming.
user118245
Well-known member
Did forum crash?
nrlsurvivor
Well-known member
Yes
That is good to clarify thanks Suzie -Q.
BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...n/news-story/0cc7db5a6fb1c878392df36cbeae2b59
Farcical Wests Tigers board drama takes shock twist as axed directors return
The NRL has intervened in the Wests Tigers boardroom drama, forcing majority owners Holman Barnes Group to reinstate a group of sacked directors just 10-days after they were sacked.
Dean Ritchie
December 11, 2025 - 3:30PM
The ARL Commission demanded chairman Barry O’Farrell and other dumped Wests Tigers directors be immediately reinstated or the NRL would have considered appointing an administrator to run the embattled club.
Holman Barnes Group directors met on Thursday morning to discuss mounting pressure from the NRL that the directors return to the club just ten days after being dumped.
Well-placed sources insist the NRL – fed-up with the dysfunctional Concord club – strongarmed the Holman Barnes Group into recalling the directors.
The NRL’s tough intervention was a clear sign of their growing frustration at how the bumbling Wests Tigers were being governed.
“The HBG could have done it amicably or faced other options, including appointing an administrator,” the source said.
Aside from O’Farrell, independent directors Anabelle Williams and Michelle McDowell will be reinstated although it’s unlikely Charlie Viola will accept his return invitation.
There was no appetite for former chief executive Shane Richardson to be rehired.
A fifth HBG director will now be appointed with a stipulation that it be a woman.
It is understood O’Farrell is still waiting for a formal invitation to return.
The nine-member Wests Tigers board will comprise five from the Holman Barnes Group, three independents and one from Balmain.
Holman Barnes Group representatives had organised a meeting with Tigers legend Ben Elias about a board position, probably chairman, before the NRL stepped in.
A leading candidate to become Wests Tigers’ full-time chief executive, Tony Mestrov, wanted Elias to become Wests Tigers chairman.
The push for Elias ended when the NRL became involved and wanted O’Farrell back.
NRL management expressed concerns over Wests Tigers’ governance with ARLC chairman Peter V’landys meeting with sacked directors.
A worried V’landys had been in constant dialogue with HBG over the club’s political infighting.
“We discussed how they should move forward and that they would put the four directors back on with Barry as chairman,” V’landys said. “We also asked for one of the five Holman Barnes directors to be a woman.
“We didn’t want the Tigers or Wests Magpies to be diluted in any way. It is always going to be Balmain and Wests – that’s never going to change. They (HBG) gave us a firm undertaking that they wouldn’t dilute the two brands.”
On Thursday morning, close associates say O’Farrell hasn’t been approached to return by the Holman Barnes Group or NRL. That all changed just a few hours later.
O’Farrell wouldn’t return calls on Thursday night.
The four independent directors were only appointed a year ago via a recommendation from an extensive club review.
Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall continues to shield his playing group from the boardroom bickering. He has the backing of his players and is poised to accept a contract extension.
Farcical Wests Tigers board drama takes shock twist as axed directors return
The NRL has intervened in the Wests Tigers boardroom drama, forcing majority owners Holman Barnes Group to reinstate a group of sacked directors just 10-days after they were sacked.
Dean Ritchie
December 11, 2025 - 3:30PM
The ARL Commission demanded chairman Barry O’Farrell and other dumped Wests Tigers directors be immediately reinstated or the NRL would have considered appointing an administrator to run the embattled club.
Holman Barnes Group directors met on Thursday morning to discuss mounting pressure from the NRL that the directors return to the club just ten days after being dumped.
Well-placed sources insist the NRL – fed-up with the dysfunctional Concord club – strongarmed the Holman Barnes Group into recalling the directors.
The NRL’s tough intervention was a clear sign of their growing frustration at how the bumbling Wests Tigers were being governed.
“The HBG could have done it amicably or faced other options, including appointing an administrator,” the source said.
Aside from O’Farrell, independent directors Anabelle Williams and Michelle McDowell will be reinstated although it’s unlikely Charlie Viola will accept his return invitation.
There was no appetite for former chief executive Shane Richardson to be rehired.
A fifth HBG director will now be appointed with a stipulation that it be a woman.
It is understood O’Farrell is still waiting for a formal invitation to return.
The nine-member Wests Tigers board will comprise five from the Holman Barnes Group, three independents and one from Balmain.
Holman Barnes Group representatives had organised a meeting with Tigers legend Ben Elias about a board position, probably chairman, before the NRL stepped in.
A leading candidate to become Wests Tigers’ full-time chief executive, Tony Mestrov, wanted Elias to become Wests Tigers chairman.
The push for Elias ended when the NRL became involved and wanted O’Farrell back.
NRL management expressed concerns over Wests Tigers’ governance with ARLC chairman Peter V’landys meeting with sacked directors.
A worried V’landys had been in constant dialogue with HBG over the club’s political infighting.
“We discussed how they should move forward and that they would put the four directors back on with Barry as chairman,” V’landys said. “We also asked for one of the five Holman Barnes directors to be a woman.
“We didn’t want the Tigers or Wests Magpies to be diluted in any way. It is always going to be Balmain and Wests – that’s never going to change. They (HBG) gave us a firm undertaking that they wouldn’t dilute the two brands.”
On Thursday morning, close associates say O’Farrell hasn’t been approached to return by the Holman Barnes Group or NRL. That all changed just a few hours later.
O’Farrell wouldn’t return calls on Thursday night.
The four independent directors were only appointed a year ago via a recommendation from an extensive club review.
Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall continues to shield his playing group from the boardroom bickering. He has the backing of his players and is poised to accept a contract extension.
I don’t know if I understand. Reinstate 4 independents but then there’s only 3 independents????
Also HBG now have 5 on the board? So does this mean they now effectively just control the board?
BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/we...ll-s-contract-until-2029-20251210-p5nmmu.html
Barry O’Farrell, sacked Tigers directors make stunning return after NRL intervention
By Michael Chammas, Dan Walsh and Adrian Proszenko
Updated December 11, 2025 — 1.28pmfirst published December 10, 2025 — 5.33pm
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Wests Tigers majority owners Holman Barnes Group has agreed to an NRL demand that the independent directors – led by deposed chairman Barry O’Farrell – be returned to the club board just 10 days after they were sacked.
As revealed by this masthead on Wednesday night, the stunning shift in Tigers management will see former NSW premier O’Farrell reinstated as Tigers chairman for the third time.
O’Farrell, Annabelle Williams and Michelle McDowell are set to be returned to the club’s board as independent directors. However, sources speaking on the condition of anonymity to maintain confidentiality have indicated the fourth board member sacked, Charlie Viola, is unlikely to take up his seat again.
The NRL relayed its concerns over the Tigers governance to HBG throughout the week, while ARLC chairman Peter V’landys also met with the four sacked independents on Tuesday.
The final composition of the Tigers board will give HBG a majority representation should Viola not resume his position. HBG will have five representatives on the board and control over major decisions at the club, in line with their 90 per cent ownership stake.
As it stands, just two HBG representatives – HBG chairman Dennis Burgess and Western Suburbs Magpies general manager Leo Epifania – and Balmain Tigers chair Danny Stapleton, remain from the previous Wests Tigers board.
Sources speaking on the condition of anonymity in order to speak freely have indicated there was no insistence from the NRL for CEO Shane Richardson to return after his exit on Monday, having decided he could no longer work under the Tigers’ ownership structure.
The Tigers’ next board meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 15. The four independent directors were only installed a year ago on the recommendation of the 2023 review commissioned by the club and co-authored by Tony Crawford and Gary Barnier.
The latest boardroom shake-up comes as the club continues negotiations to extend coach Benji Marshall until the end of 2029.
Sources not authorised to speak publicly have told this masthead that club officials are deep in negotiations with Marshall and his management. While a contract has not yet been signed, all parties are hopeful of finalising an extension shortly.
It has been a baptism of fire for Marshall since taking over as head coach from long-time mentor Tim Sheens. The Tigers earned the wooden spoon in the former champion playmaker’s first season in charge and have been plagued by regular front office drama that led to Richardson’s exit.
There have also been some positive signs under Marshall as the Tigers climbed the ladder four spots to finish 13th this year.
That has been aided by Marshall’s ability to help attract talent, with Jarome Luai recently reiterating that playing under the former Golden Boot winner was one of the reasons why he chose to switch from four-time premiers Penrith. Terrell May, Sunia Turuva and Taylan May also said they were attracted by the opportunity to learn and play under the Kiwi international.
In making an early call on Marshall, Tigers officials hope several big-name stars – Luai and Jahream Bula in particular – decide to also commit to the club long term. Luai has a clause that allows him to leave the club at the end of 2025 if he chooses, while there is a mutual option in Bula’s contract for his services beyond next season.
Tigers utility Adam Doueihi on Wednesday spoke glowingly of Marshall’s evolution as an NRL coach since playing alongside him at the end of his career.
“We play for Benji, he’s our head coach,” Doueihi said at a promotion for El Jannah chicken. “He steers the ship every day so we follow his lead. Benji’s been good to me.
“I’ve been under him for a few years now and he’s really grown every week.
“He’s really started to grow into a really solid head coach. I’m starting to learn a lot under him. He’s learned a lot from the past few years working under Sheensy.”
Doueihi, who has played every position except prop and second row in his eight-year career, has been training in the halves this pre-season, having finished 2025 at halfback when Latu Fainu was injured.
The 27-year-old declined to comment on Richardson’s exit and the boardroom upheaval at the club beyond insisting the Tigers are on the right trajectory under Marshall.
“We couldn’t have gone backwards from where we were [as 2024 wooden spooners],” Doueihi said.
“We’ve got to keep trying to climb that ladder. We don’t really have time to think or worry about any external noise or anything else.
“The more you get distracted mentally and physically, you won’t last throughout these pre-season days because they’re that tough.”
Barry O’Farrell, sacked Tigers directors make stunning return after NRL intervention
By Michael Chammas, Dan Walsh and Adrian Proszenko
Updated December 11, 2025 — 1.28pmfirst published December 10, 2025 — 5.33pm
, register or subscribe to save articles for later.
Save articles for later
Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time.
Wests Tigers majority owners Holman Barnes Group has agreed to an NRL demand that the independent directors – led by deposed chairman Barry O’Farrell – be returned to the club board just 10 days after they were sacked.
As revealed by this masthead on Wednesday night, the stunning shift in Tigers management will see former NSW premier O’Farrell reinstated as Tigers chairman for the third time.
O’Farrell, Annabelle Williams and Michelle McDowell are set to be returned to the club’s board as independent directors. However, sources speaking on the condition of anonymity to maintain confidentiality have indicated the fourth board member sacked, Charlie Viola, is unlikely to take up his seat again.
The NRL relayed its concerns over the Tigers governance to HBG throughout the week, while ARLC chairman Peter V’landys also met with the four sacked independents on Tuesday.
The final composition of the Tigers board will give HBG a majority representation should Viola not resume his position. HBG will have five representatives on the board and control over major decisions at the club, in line with their 90 per cent ownership stake.
As it stands, just two HBG representatives – HBG chairman Dennis Burgess and Western Suburbs Magpies general manager Leo Epifania – and Balmain Tigers chair Danny Stapleton, remain from the previous Wests Tigers board.
Sources speaking on the condition of anonymity in order to speak freely have indicated there was no insistence from the NRL for CEO Shane Richardson to return after his exit on Monday, having decided he could no longer work under the Tigers’ ownership structure.
The Tigers’ next board meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 15. The four independent directors were only installed a year ago on the recommendation of the 2023 review commissioned by the club and co-authored by Tony Crawford and Gary Barnier.
The latest boardroom shake-up comes as the club continues negotiations to extend coach Benji Marshall until the end of 2029.
Sources not authorised to speak publicly have told this masthead that club officials are deep in negotiations with Marshall and his management. While a contract has not yet been signed, all parties are hopeful of finalising an extension shortly.
It has been a baptism of fire for Marshall since taking over as head coach from long-time mentor Tim Sheens. The Tigers earned the wooden spoon in the former champion playmaker’s first season in charge and have been plagued by regular front office drama that led to Richardson’s exit.
There have also been some positive signs under Marshall as the Tigers climbed the ladder four spots to finish 13th this year.
That has been aided by Marshall’s ability to help attract talent, with Jarome Luai recently reiterating that playing under the former Golden Boot winner was one of the reasons why he chose to switch from four-time premiers Penrith. Terrell May, Sunia Turuva and Taylan May also said they were attracted by the opportunity to learn and play under the Kiwi international.
In making an early call on Marshall, Tigers officials hope several big-name stars – Luai and Jahream Bula in particular – decide to also commit to the club long term. Luai has a clause that allows him to leave the club at the end of 2025 if he chooses, while there is a mutual option in Bula’s contract for his services beyond next season.
Tigers utility Adam Doueihi on Wednesday spoke glowingly of Marshall’s evolution as an NRL coach since playing alongside him at the end of his career.
“We play for Benji, he’s our head coach,” Doueihi said at a promotion for El Jannah chicken. “He steers the ship every day so we follow his lead. Benji’s been good to me.
“I’ve been under him for a few years now and he’s really grown every week.
“He’s really started to grow into a really solid head coach. I’m starting to learn a lot under him. He’s learned a lot from the past few years working under Sheensy.”
Doueihi, who has played every position except prop and second row in his eight-year career, has been training in the halves this pre-season, having finished 2025 at halfback when Latu Fainu was injured.
The 27-year-old declined to comment on Richardson’s exit and the boardroom upheaval at the club beyond insisting the Tigers are on the right trajectory under Marshall.
“We couldn’t have gone backwards from where we were [as 2024 wooden spooners],” Doueihi said.
“We’ve got to keep trying to climb that ladder. We don’t really have time to think or worry about any external noise or anything else.
“The more you get distracted mentally and physically, you won’t last throughout these pre-season days because they’re that tough.”
Charlie V won't be returning
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