HBG, Independent Directors Sacked

[tigertragic]

Honestly? There is nothing wrong with the current board members at HBG that I can see makes cause for anyone to demand they resign.

Lets ignore the "Dennis" story for a moment:

Francesco Primerano - Lawyer and Businessman
Stephen Montgomery - Lawyer and Barrister
Vince Tropiana - ex Ford Motor Company (I know plenty from the industry who know and worked with Vince and he apparently was well respected in the motor industry)
Mick Liubinskas - Ex Magpies enforcer, Businessman (IT industry). Havent met a more honest and direct bloke as Mick. Have known Mick about 20 years.
Rick Yabsley - Chartered Accountant. Honest hard working guy from what I have been told about him
Peter Di Michiel - Wests Magpies club doctor. Medic and General Practictioner

Now, lets go back to Denis. Yes, I read the nonsense about looking at young ladies on Instagram. I have known Dennis some 20 years or so. He is a music guy and that is who he is. Does he like the ladies? Yeah he does. He is off that generation of old rockers who arent scared to tell a pretty girl she is pretty (and apparently that offends some people). And he has always been a passionate Magpies supporter. Yes, in his perfect world, I think he would like to see the Maggies back in the NRL, but he also knows that that is also pipe dream.

I dont see any of these blokes being poor for the leagues club. Would it be good to see a female somewhere on the board? Yeah, of course. But I also dont wanna see a woman appointed just becuase she is a she for DEI reasons.

I have no issue supporting these guys to get the leagues club functioning. Certainly I know at least one of them was very proactive in trying to stop the culture of bullying at the leagues club... which was very much covered up and that cover up was facilitated by TA and RW.

And this outstanding HBG board have proven over a number of years that they are incapable of running a football club.

 

[hank37w]

No "Nick Politis" hasnt been investing money in propeties to generate income for the Roosters.

The Easts Leagues club has been investing money in property to ensure Easts Leagues Club remains financially viable.

The statement on the Easts Leagues Club makes it plain. Roosters are self sufficient. This suggests Corporate Hospitality, Ticketing Sales and Sponsorships adequately cover the costs of running the football club.

Roosters as an football club entity from what can be seen from the Easts financial statements dont own property.

Dont forget, the legal entity that is the Roosters owns Easts Leagues Club.

Okay, maybe the money hasn't come out of Nick's pocket but it has all occurred under the years of his guidance and chairmanship all beginning with his original sponsorship of the club back in the City Ford days.

The board also has directors the calibre of Mark Bouris who are responsible for the financial success of the Roosters through their guidance and stewardship, and as you have alluded, these directors oversee both the Sydney Roosters NRL team and the Easts Group which includes Easts Leagues Club and related entities.

What they have achieved has guaranteed the future financial security of the Roosters which is more than can be said for Wests Ashfield, Holman Barnes Group or whatever iteration of the board you could care to put forward who have done nothing other than blow up and obstruct any glimmers of success or positive progress that begin to emerge.

They have done nothing other than cause West Tigers to be constantly in the media for all the wrong reasons and cause constant set backs.

 

[kiwitiger]

Sydney Roosters.

Statement on Page 4 of the Financial Statements of the Easts Group

The Easts Group of Clubs reported a post-tax profit of over $4.7 million in 2024, contributing to a combined profit of more than $53 million across the Easts Group and Sydney Roosters over the past six years. The Football Club has not required financial assistance from the Leagues Club during this time.

It appears that the Roosters are a self sustaining football club. Obviously gate revenues, corporate entertainments and sponsorship plus NRL Grants are sufficient to manage the football operations.

The Leagues club do not seem to consolidate income from the football club operations into their financial report. There is no income line for ticket sales, corporate sponsorship and NRL Grants

Several years ago, Simon Cook, ex CEO of Ashfield stated his wish was to see Wests Tigers be financially viable to operate indpendantly without the financial support of the Leagues club, to allow the leagues club to fund other local community organisations instead.

When Easts won the comp in the first season with our exit fullback there was a few articles about how the roosters had invested in property over the previous few years. About 60million value back then. Was what was going to finance the club. Remember it because I realized some teams are working at a different level.
Nick has moved them into the property market.

 

[Fraze23]

Honestly? There is nothing wrong with the current board members at HBG that I can see makes cause for anyone to demand they resign.

Lets ignore the "Dennis" story for a moment:

Francesco Primerano - Lawyer and Businessman
Stephen Montgomery - Lawyer and Barrister
Vince Tropiana - ex Ford Motor Company (I know plenty from the industry who know and worked with Vince and he apparently was well respected in the motor industry)
Mick Liubinskas - Ex Magpies enforcer, Businessman (IT industry). Havent met a more honest and direct bloke as Mick. Have known Mick about 20 years.
Rick Yabsley - Chartered Accountant. Honest hard working guy from what I have been told about him
Peter Di Michiel - Wests Magpies club doctor. Medic and General Practictioner

Now, lets go back to Denis. Yes, I read the nonsense about looking at young ladies on Instagram. I have known Dennis some 20 years or so. He is a music guy and that is who he is. Does he like the ladies? Yeah he does. He is off that generation of old rockers who arent scared to tell a pretty girl she is pretty (and apparently that offends some people). And he has always been a passionate Magpies supporter. Yes, in his perfect world, I think he would like to see the Maggies back in the NRL, but he also knows that that is also pipe dream.

I dont see any of these blokes being poor for the leagues club. Would it be good to see a female somewhere on the board? Yeah, of course. But I also dont wanna see a woman appointed just becuase she is a she for DEI reasons.

I have no issue supporting these guys to get the leagues club functioning. Certainly I know at least one of them was very proactive in trying to stop the culture of bullying at the leagues club... which was very much covered up and that cover up was facilitated by TA and RW.

Which one of our 3 wooden spoons will help you see how out of their depth the HBG are when it comes to running a rugby league club?

Absolutely no issues with them running a leagues club. But they have no business holding the Wests Tigers board to ransom.

 

[Telltails]

Honestly? There is nothing wrong with the current board members at HBG that I can see makes cause for anyone to demand they resign.

Lets ignore the "Dennis" story for a moment:

Francesco Primerano - Lawyer and Businessman
Stephen Montgomery - Lawyer and Barrister
Vince Tropiana - ex Ford Motor Company (I know plenty from the industry who know and worked with Vince and he apparently was well respected in the motor industry)
Mick Liubinskas - Ex Magpies enforcer, Businessman (IT industry). Havent met a more honest and direct bloke as Mick. Have known Mick about 20 years.
Rick Yabsley - Chartered Accountant. Honest hard working guy from what I have been told about him
Peter Di Michiel - Wests Magpies club doctor. Medic and General Practictioner

Now, lets go back to Denis. Yes, I read the nonsense about looking at young ladies on Instagram. I have known Dennis some 20 years or so. He is a music guy and that is who he is. Does he like the ladies? Yeah he does. He is off that generation of old rockers who arent scared to tell a pretty girl she is pretty (and apparently that offends some people). And he has always been a passionate Magpies supporter. Yes, in his perfect world, I think he would like to see the Maggies back in the NRL, but he also knows that that is also pipe dream.

I dont see any of these blokes being poor for the leagues club. Would it be good to see a female somewhere on the board? Yeah, of course. But I also dont wanna see a woman appointed just becuase she is a she for DEI reasons.

I have no issue supporting these guys to get the leagues club functioning. Certainly I know at least one of them was very proactive in trying to stop the culture of bullying at the leagues club... which was very much covered up and that cover up was facilitated by TA and RW.

When have they ever effectively worked together to support the development of the club - WTs - without there being some level of drama amongst themselves? Easy to behave in that manner when the selection process is limited without suitable competition.

There are probably people that could say the same that know Rick Wayde, Tony A ,Julie Romero, and Dave Gilbert and make excuses for them or speak highly of them yet they are all gone and levelled with accusations that are questionable at the very least and denied, and or in Julie Romero's case silenced - all damaging to the West's Tigers and it's progression and brand
No excuses for Denis and his choice of viewing preferences, or lack of management of his social media. If you want to be the main man of any professional organisation you are are fool if you think that sort of content won't resurface or that it would be considered inappropriate by a percentage of the public.
It seems he had no trouble supporting the removal of a board member for reasons related to an incident with one of the wives, so he could expect by doing so he put a target on his own back - that's how they role
We need a board that is working for WTs together - fit for purpose and earned on merit no agendas other than improving the perception of the club moving into the future. If the selection process opens up the opportunity to assess the suitability of candidates based on skill and merit then Denis can line up with the rest of them.

 

[cdinoz007]

When have they ever effectively worked together to support the development of the club - WTs - without there being some level of drama amongst themselves?

Given this board has only been together a short while in this guise, thats a hard question to answer. What we can say is the two persons who have been barred from the board for several years, and who were also part of Wests Tigers for several years are no longer calling the shots.

And lets face facts, the current petition of HBG members has all the hallmarks of being backed and supported by those same two characters.

 

[cochise]

Given this board has only been together a short while in this guise, thats a hard question to answer. What we can say is the two persons who have been barred from the board for several years, and who were also part of Wests Tigers for several years are no longer calling the shots.

And lets face facts, the current petition of HBG members has all the hallmarks of being backed and supported by those same two characters.

So you are saying that the 2 member voted directors were able call the shots on a 7 seat board.

That is some effort and probably calls into question the 5 other directors.

 

[Telltails]

Given this board has only been together a short while in this guise, thats a hard question to answer. What we can say is the two persons who have been barred from the board for several years, and who were also part of Wests Tigers for several years are no longer calling the shots.

And lets face facts, the current petition of HBG members has all the hallmarks of being backed and supported by those same two characters.

Two board members who realised what the club was doing as an organisation was not working, while they were in a position to make those decisions. What is wrong with reflection when an organisation is failing?

So they find themselves on the wrong side of the numbers and accusations made against them to make ensure their voice/power to make decisions was squashed. Meanwhile the fans are not interested factions they just want stability - unless of course they have some allegiance to people making the moves.
And lord knows what Romero did to suddenly be out of favour after her short tenure.
This is not the actions of an organisation that is working for the betterment of the club.
It is self serving control and if we were thriving and the destination club that we should, be then you could cop it sweet but that is not the case and their is nothing to suggest that without external pressure and or intervention anything will change other than the names of a privileged few.

 

[innsaneink]

When Easts won the comp in the first season with our exit fullback there was a few articles about how the roosters had invested in property over the previous few years. About 60million value back then. Was what was going to finance the club. Remember it because I realized some teams are working at a different level.
Nick has moved them into the property market.

Roosters chairman Nick Politis preparing $500m parting gift for his club

Politis understands he can’t run the club forever and is preparing to deliver a property portfolio worth $500 million before he finishes.

www.smh.com.au

 

[hank37w]

So you are saying that the 2 member voted directors were able call the shots on a 7 seat board.

That is some effort and probably calls into question the 5 other directors.

All 5 would have to be asleep through all the board meetings just like Denny and his mate were at the Wests Tigers board meetings.

 

[cdinoz007]

Okay, maybe the money hasn't come out of Nick's pocket but it has all occurred under the years of his guidance and chairmanship all beginning with his original sponsorship of the club back in the City Ford days.

The board also has directors the calibre of Mark Bouris who are responsible for the financial success of the Roosters through their guidance and stewardship, and as you have alluded, these directors oversee both the Sydney Roosters NRL team and the Easts Group which includes Easts Leagues Club and related entities.

What they have achieved has guaranteed the future financial security of the Roosters which is more than can be said for Wests Ashfield, Holman Barnes Group or whatever iteration of the board you could care to put forward who have done nothing other than blow up and obstruct any glimmers of success or positive progress that begin to emerge.

They have done nothing other than cause West Tigers to be constantly in the media for all the wrong reasons and cause constant set backs.

So you dont think HBG bailing out the club to the tune of several million dollars when Balmain went into default has done the same for the Wests Tigers?

Sure HBG "only" has property assets to the value of $62m where Easts have property assets at more than twice that at $160m... but given Easts also has a membership base of 49,000 members to Ashfield (combined) 26,000 members, thats still not a bad portfolio figure.

Sharkies as a comparison have around $40m in property assets with similar members base to Ashfield.

Under HBG stewardship we have also been able to move into a new CoE.

Just trying to see where that compass sits?

 

[cdinoz007]

Roosters chairman Nick Politis preparing $500m parting gift for his club

Politis understands he can’t run the club forever and is preparing to deliver a property portfolio worth $500 million before he finishes.

www.smh.com.au

The porfolio is not quite there. Its still in a good position, but its on balance sheet value totals, but around $160m

 

[cdinoz007]

So you are saying that the 2 member voted directors were able call the shots on a 7 seat board.

That is some effort and probably calls into question the 5 other directors.

Thats exaclty what I am saying. Did you ever meet them? Both very skilled "political" movers inside of the club. They had sufficient influence that other board members seemed to back their agenda's.

And that is exactly what I am trying to suggest.

 

[cochise]

Thats exaclty what I am saying. Did you ever meet them? Both very skilled "political" movers inside of the club. They had sufficient influence that other board members seemed to back their agenda's.

And that is exactly what I am trying to suggest.

So I suggest the other 5 were terrible at their role. Are any of them still involved?

 

[cdinoz007]

Two board members who realised what the club was doing as an organisation was not working, while they were in a position to make those decisions. What is wrong with reflection when an organisation is failing?

So they find themselves on the wrong side of the numbers and accusations made against them to make ensure their voice/power to make decisions was squashed. Meanwhile the fans are not interested factions they just want stability - unless of course they have some allegiance to people making the moves.
And lord knows what Romero did to suddenly be out of favour after her short tenure.
This is not the actions of an organisation that is working for the betterment of the club.
It is self serving control and if we were thriving and the destination club that we should, be then you could cop it sweet but that is not the case and their is nothing to suggest that without external pressure and or intervention anything will change other than the names of a privileged few.

I dunno. Maybe by association via her late husband to John Hardgrove who went out on the podcast to say he thinks the debenture system is antiquated and seemed to support the movement to break up the debenture system (ironically, he has never to my knowledge rescinded his Debenture, despite retiring to Orange or Mudgee - somewhere out west - and doesnt visit the club anymore).

Officially it is alledged she shared information outside of the business which was covered by an NDA.

Whilst in some circumstances that may seem an extreme circumstances, perhaps others on the board felt that justfied moving her on.

With her, the two Hardgroves (RIP Peter - who I dont have a bad word to say about him in all the times I met him) and TA and RW out of the picture, Simon finally moving on (and also Tim Mcaleer) perhaps the remaining board members feel its now time to refresh the culture at the leagues club (lets face it, under Simon, the bullying was rife - and when he brought Tim into the picture got worse)

 

[cochise]

I dunno. Maybe by association via her late husband to Peter Hardgrove who went out on the podcast to say he thinks the debenture system is antiquated and seemed to support the movement to break up the debenture system (ironically, he has never to my knowledge rescinded his Debenture, despite retiring to Orange or Mudgee - somewhere out west - and doesnt visit the club anymore).

Officially it is alledged she shared information outside of the business which was covered by an NDA.

Whilst in some circumstances that may seem an extreme circumstances, perhaps others on the board felt that justfied moving her on.

With her, the two Hardgroves (RIP John - who I dont have a bad word to say about him in all the times I met him) and TA and RW out of the picture, Simon finally moving on (and also Tim Mcaleer) perhaps the remaining board members feel its now time to refresh the culture at the leagues club (lets face it, under Simon, the bullying was rife - and when he brought Tim into the picture got worse)

You have the 2 Hardgroves mixed up mate.

 

[cdinoz007]

You have the 2 Hardgroves mixed up mate.

Wouldnt be the first time. My wife used to smack me on the head when i called Peter, John and John, Peter.

Sometimes the old grey cells cross their wires.

EDIT: Have edited my incorrect names on my comment above

 

[cdinoz007]

So I suggest the other 5 were terrible at their role. Are any of them still involved?

TBH I lost count over who was coming and going off the board. I was suprised when Julie become president of the club.

1. Mile Bailey was around until his sad passing in 2021
2. Dennis has obviously survived
3. Mick Liubinskas was on the board (since 2014), then he was unceremonioulsy dumped end of 2023 (and I pretty much know why - and yes that involved TA and Simon Cook). I am glad he's now back on the board.
4. Dave Gilbert was on the board, and as we know was removed at the same time as TA and RW. Gilbert very much backed bringing Gary Barnier in to help with the "independant" investigation at WTs
5. Vince Tropiano has survived since 2021

Stephen Montgomery joined the board in 2023 and he replaced the deposed Mick Liubinskas.

 

[Merlot]

For those wanting to compare Canterbury s input to HBG these are the overall figures from their financial reports :

HBG received $31 mil in football related income which include nrl grant of $19.6 mil and other income such as sponsorship, merch, ticket sales, hospitality totalling $11.4 mil.

Canterbury Leagues receive $37.7 mil which includes nrl grant of $18.2 mil and other income totalling $19.5 mil.


So the reason they are able to provide more funding to the football dept may simply be that they are generating more football related income.

Case closed - out with hbg

 

[Merlot]

So where are you going to generate the extra revenue at the leagues club? Or which rich benefactor are you going to sell the club to who is going to add in an extra $6m a year?

Perhaps compare the the Sharks, who are arguably more succesfull than the Tigers, yet their leagues club pumps in less money to the football club than Wests Ashfield pump into the Tigers.

Your going all out to stir the pot , u do u ,
ps ,like your intel on club finances