HBG, Independent Directors Sacked

[cdinoz007]

So why do you refuse to mention that the investigation found no wrongdoing towards him?

Why are you so blinkered to see what he did, and what his character was. And if he was so squeeky clean, why did this story result in his resignation. In an investigation commissioned by the Opal Board... and it found no wrong doing. What a suprise.

Open your eyes to what happened.

He resigned in disgrace. And now this is the kind of person you want on the board at Ashield?

Its just taken the leagues club to finally rid themselves of Simon Cook and Tim McAleer, who created an absolute bullying culture within the club, one fostered and supported by at least 2 of the then board members (now removed).

There is now a new board of decent human beings who want to drive a positive culture at that business, and a CEO who also wants to foster that same culture.

And yet you want to break that up and appoint Barnier (linked to bullying and harrasment at Opal), Cheung and Coolican, who are supporters of both Tony Andreachhio and Rick Wayde and used their influence to have the cricket members to vote for them both... (and it was Tony and Rick who both asked Simon Cook to investigate bullying at the club... asking the BULLY to investigate BULLYING)... and then there is Scott Drummond (a Balmain Football Club board member, whos parent organisation couldnt run a chuck raffle and make a profit) and Lucille McKenna, who is now in her 80's.

Thats the top and tail of who you want to run Wests Ashfield?

Are you serious?

Jesus horrifying reading.

Yup

 

[cochise]

Why are you so blinkered to see what he did, and what his character was. And if he was so squeeky clean, why did this story result in his resignation. In an investigation commissioned by the Opal Board... and it found no wrong doing. What a suprise.

Open your eyes to what happened.

He resigned in disgrace. And now this is the kind of person you want on the board at Ashield?

Its just taken the leagues club to finally rid themselves of Simon Cook and Tim McAleer, who created an absolute bullying culture within the club, one fostered and supported by at least 2 of the then board members (now removed).

There is now a new board of decent human beings who want to drive a positive culture at that business, and a CEO who also wants to foster that same culture.

And yet you want to break that up and appoint Barnier (linked to bullying and harrasment at Opal), Cheung and Coolican, who are supporters of both Tony Andreachhio and Rick Wayde and used their influence to have the cricket members to vote for them both... (and it was Tony and Rick who both asked Simon Cook to investigate bullying at the club... asking the BULLY to investigate BULLYING)... and then there is Scott Drummond (a Balmain Football Club board member, whos parent organisation couldnt run a chuck raffle and make a profit) and Lucille McKenna, who is now in her 80's.

Thats the top and tail of who you want to run Wests Ashfield?

Are you serious?


Yup

Because investigations found no wrongdoing on his behalf. You always leave that part out.of your posts. Why don't you mention that in any of your posts?

 

[hammertime]

Why are you so blinkered to see what he did, and what his character was. And if he was so squeeky clean, why did this story result in his resignation. In an investigation commissioned by the Opal Board... and it found no wrong doing. What a suprise.

Open your eyes to what happened.

He resigned in disgrace. And now this is the kind of person you want on the board at Ashield?

Its just taken the leagues club to finally rid themselves of Simon Cook and Tim McAleer, who created an absolute bullying culture within the club, one fostered and supported by at least 2 of the then board members (now removed).

There is now a new board of decent human beings who want to drive a positive culture at that business, and a CEO who also wants to foster that same culture.

And yet you want to break that up and appoint Barnier (linked to bullying and harrasment at Opal), Cheung and Coolican, who are supporters of both Tony Andreachhio and Rick Wayde and used their influence to have the cricket members to vote for them both... (and it was Tony and Rick who both asked Simon Cook to investigate bullying at the club... asking the BULLY to investigate BULLYING)... and then there is Scott Drummond (a Balmain Football Club board member, whos parent organisation couldnt run a chuck raffle and make a profit) and Lucille McKenna, who is now in her 80's.

Thats the top and tail of who you want to run Wests Ashfield?

Are you serious?


Yup

The debenture holders could make the change and open themselves for a vote.

 

[cdinoz007]

Cheers Ink. I missed that.

So $1.8 million isn't a small amount, less than some clubs but probably more than others.

If a club can't make a go of it when they get close to $20mill in grants from its owners and governing body the maybe the board / management arnt up to scratch. I'd be suggesting that to PVL when asked why the board was removed.

Now this isn't me backing HBG's group actions but it's another angle to look at things.

So the finances of the football club arent seperated out from the Holman Barnes annual figures. The 2025 numbers arent out yet (late Feb 26 for 25 numbers).

But Year Ended Oct 2024:

• Grants - NRL - $19,652,102
• Grants - Other - $935,404
• Sponsorship - $6,514,945
• Ticket Sales - $ 3,308,751
• Corporate Hospitality - $564,737
• Holman Barnes Group - $1,775,00

Total = $32,750,939
This is what can be gleaned from the HBG annual report.

ANNUAL REPORT​

Holman Barnes Group
https://holmanbarnesgroup.com.au › 2025/02



From what we know of the 2025 season there is an additional one off grant from the NRL to the value of $1.75m as part of the PNG deal. In 2026 this "one off" grant reduces down to $1m per club.

 

[Tucker]

That's great for you, my opinion is that the HBG can not provide us with the stability to ensure long term success. So I will continue to speak out until that is rectified.

Make sure you broadcast it so that everyone knows.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Why are you so blinkered to see what he did, and what his character was. And if he was so squeeky clean, why did this story result in his resignation. In an investigation commissioned by the Opal Board... and it found no wrong doing. What a suprise.

Open your eyes to what happened.

He resigned in disgrace. And now this is the kind of person you want on the board at Ashield?

Its just taken the leagues club to finally rid themselves of Simon Cook and Tim McAleer, who created an absolute bullying culture within the club, one fostered and supported by at least 2 of the then board members (now removed).

There is now decent human beings who want to drive a positive culture at that business a new board of, and a CEO who also wants to foster that same culture.

And yet you want to break that up and appoint Barnier (linked to bullying and harrasment at Opal), Cheung and Coolican, who are supporters of both Tony Andreachhio and Rick Wayde and used their influence to have the cricket members to vote for them both... (and it was Tony and Rick who both asked Simon Cook to investigate bullying at the club... asking the BULLY to investigate BULLYING)... and then there is Scott Drummond (a Balmain Football Club board member, whos parent organisation couldnt run a chuck raffle and make a profit) and Lucille McKenna, who is now in her 80's.

Thats the top and tail of who you want to run Wests Ashfield?

Are you serious?


Yup

How can you describe the new board as decent human beings when they shafted the Wests Tigers board independents when they were turning the club around for no apparent reason other than a power grab.

 

[cochise]

Make sure you broadcast it so that everyone knows.

So your problem is I have an avenue for others to hear my opinion?

Sounds petty.

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

Compared to the rest of the clubs? Or just some of them? I still havnt seen what other owners put in. If you think we are underfunded then you must know what every one else puts in..

And other clubs choose to play at modern stadiums to maximise revenue aswell. But fans draw a line at that source of revenue. I don't think we can turn our back on matchday/corporate revenues then whinge that we need a bigger handout.

It's a bit like turning down job offers then whinging that the dole isn't big enough.

Mentioned it in another post re stadium costs/revenue. That hurts us badly and the owners who have been the board made the decision to sacrifice that revenue stream so the offset needs to come from another source which sits with the owners who are the board to step up.

 

[cdinoz007]

Cheers Ink. I missed that.

So $1.8 million isn't a small amount, less than some clubs but probably more than others.

If a club can't make a go of it when they get close to $20mill in grants from its owners and governing body the maybe the board / management arnt up to scratch. I'd be suggesting that to PVL when asked why the board was removed.

Now this isn't me backing HBG's group actions but it's another angle to look at things.

You also asked about other clubs.

Lets examine the Sharks books:

Game Day Ticketing - $2,680,624
Sponsorship and Corporate Hospitality - $7,174,136
NRL Grant - $19,575,004
NSWRL Grant - $215,000

Total excl any subsidy from the leagues club to the football club = $29,644,764

What is less easy to establish is of their Member Subscriptions is just related to the leagues club, the football club or both.

They also list a "Football Expenses" as being $22,545,587, but given this is on their Income Statement, I am assuming that is the total cost of running the Football operations, and not an allocation of funds FROM the leagues club to the football club.

HBG make this easier to understand in their financials. Sharkies dont disclose that figure. What we can say is that the Sharks arent nearly in as good a financial revenue position as Ashfield and looking at the numbers here, are probably on par with revenues as Wests Tigers.

 

[mtd#2]

Its interesting you use the bulldogs as an example..

Over the past 2 years they poured close to 13 million into football... HBG gave under 4 million.

You do understand that if HBG invested that amount of money into the wests tigers, the majority of people (including myself) wouldn't give two craps what was happening at HBG - give us the money and let the footy club do their thing..

Not only do HBG not contribute a sufficient amount, they compund it by making stupid decisions that impact the football club that draw attention to them. I dont see that happening at the bulldogs?

@cdinoz007 any comments on this after YOUR comparison to the bulldogs?

 

[The Chad]

Because investigations found no wrongdoing on his behalf. You always leave that part out.of your posts. Why don't you mention that in any of your posts?

To be fair, there's an American president that was acquitted as well...

 

[Telltails]

I can take or leave Gary Barnier - also the chair of Affinity - Early Childhood Ed.
Profiteering from caring for the elderly and young children doesnt sit well with me - especially when both industries are raking it in while employing some of the lowest paid workers that are consistently undervalued in society.

 

[The Chad]

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?

 

[mtd#2]

To be fair, there's an American president that was acquitted as well...

If he was acquitted, then he wasn't found guilty.

 

[gallagher]

Mentioned it in another post re stadium costs/revenue. That hurts us badly and the owners who have been the board made the decision to sacrifice that revenue stream so the offset needs to come from another source which sits with the owners who are the board to step up.

Wasnt it the independent board in 2025 that has made the call on the new stadium strategy?
In don't think funding from owners is an issue.i think it's been said by HBGout to pad out their cause.

 

[area52]

I can take or leave Gary Barnier - also the chair of Affinity - Early Childhood Ed.
Profiteering from caring for the elderly and young children doesnt sit well with me - especially when both industries are raking it in while employing some of the lowest paid workers that are consistently undervalued in society.

Maggots and pedo, can u get any worse

 

[wstigers11]

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?

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

 

[The Chad]

If he was acquitted, then he wasn't found guilty.

Absolutely. How many believe that though?

 

[Lestronge]

I have the feeling that Darcy Byrne will attempt to set off a bomb right before our first game.

I hope not . Then it will be literally just a power struggle , and no one acting in the best interest of wests tigers .
The action taken where the Wests Ashfield members can vote for change in constitution ie. removal of the debenture system , is a far less destabilising, and probably democratic way of doing it .
The press are frothing at the mouth to even a sniff of this bleeding into the football program . Anything everyone can do to create a clear separation has to be be taken . I’m 💯 in favour of governance changes , it can’t be at the expense of the football operations . Otherwise hypocrisy much ? Hopefully Darcy is well aware of the optics and wests tigers RLFC is put first above all else .

 

[area52]

How can you describe the new board as decent human beings when they shafted the Wests Tigers board independents when they were turning the club around for no apparent reason other than a power grab.

Great point