HBG, Independent Directors Sacked

PART 2​

HBG are not the enemy. They are certainly part of the problem but unless we "the fans" have an insider within the debenture holder group we can only push reform from the bottom up. To do that we as fans need to reframe our conversations and educate our fellow fans. In doing this we can push reform from the bottom up - not through rallies or rants but through education.

The Bottom-Up Reform Plan​

Phase 1: Reframe the Conversation (Stability First)​

Objective: Shift the narrative from blame to structure.

We must consistently communicate that:
  • The issue is with Wests Tigers is governance alignment — not individuals.
  • Change is about professionalisation, not revolution.
  • The goal is unity and performance stability.
As an individual, and as a fan base, we need to stop:
  • Attacking named directors.
  • Re-litigating Balmain vs Wests history.
  • Emotionally loaded language.
Instead, we have to focus on instilling the three pillars in our conversations:
  1. Independent, skills-based board.
  2. Ring-fenced football operations.
  3. Unified identity.
Consistency builds credibility.

Phase 2: Build a Credible Support Base (Not a Mob)​

Random outrage gets ignored while structured and consistent representation gets heard. No insults. No politics. Just clarity. Is this something the Fans Representative Group could progress? We need to engage members of Wests Ashfield - not Wests Tigers Fans and Members.
  • Wests Ashfield Members vote.
  • Wests Ashfield Members have constitutional relevance.
Encourage:
  • Membership of Wests Ashfield/HBG.
  • Attendance at AGMs.
  • Formal questions submitted respectfully.
This turns passion into leverage.

Phase 3: Use Formal Governance Channels​

If the constitution allows (I am unsure at present if it does):
  • Submit formal member questions ahead of AGMs (need to dig into the Wests Ashfield Constitution)
  • Request transparency around governance review processes.
  • Ask for independent governance audits (not accusatory — performance-driven).
Elite clubs operate with governance clarity; we need to frame reform as adopting best practice — not criticism.

Phase 4: Protect Football Stability While Advocating Reform​

This is critical. Reform must not:
  • Undermine the coach.
  • Destabilise recruitment.
  • Attack current players.
If the a push for change appears to threaten football operations, it loses moral authority.
The messaging must always include: “We support the team. This is about strengthening the structure around them.”

Phase 5: Encourage Independent Review, Not Forced Overthrow​

We need to either cooerce HBG to relook at the review already conducted or of their own volition conduct another one. An independent governance review conducted by external sports governance experts will avoid:
  • Board coups
  • Public civil wars
  • Media circus narratives
It creates a professional pathway to reform.

What Bottom-Up Should NOT Become​

It must not turn into:
  • “Spill the board” campaigns.
  • Balmain vs Wests tribal revival.
  • Social media pile-ons.
  • Leaks and factional lobbying.
Those behaviours support those defending the exisiting governance model as they are "protecting" their rights. This is potentially where the recent attempt at reform failed.

The Strategic Leverage Points​

Fans actually hold more influence than they think:
  1. Membership growth
  2. Sponsorship optics
  3. Media narrative tone
  4. AGM engagement
  5. Cultural pressure toward unity
Directors respond to reputational and commercial pressure — not online anger.

The Tone That Wins​

Calm.
Structured.
Future-focused.

The message must be: “We are not angry. We are ambitious.”
That distinction changes everything.

The Long Game​

Governance reform takes 2–3 years minimum. But cultural pressure can begin immediately.

If enough members consistently articulate the same structured reform message, it becomes easier for internal leaders to justify change.

Bottom-up reform succeeds when:
  • It reduces instability.
  • It provides cover for reformers inside the system.
  • It aligns with long-term financial security.

The Ultimate Goal​

Not control.; Not revenge; Not Ownership.

The goal is to make Wests Tigers structurally boring off-field — so they can become dangerous on-field.

So what can we do, as individuals, right now to push the ball down the hill?​

As an individual you can support the club by thinking about how you converse with others and other fans. Think about the narrative you should push when you enter into a debate here, a discussion with your mates down the club and more importantly whenever you have an opportunity to address any of the individuals in position of authority.

As a fan/member we need to be cogniscant that what we say has influence; it can promote unity or divisiveness. Our discussions should reiterate that:

We are not seeking control; We are seeking alignment.

We are not seeking division; We are seeking unity.

We are not fighting yesterday’s battles; We are building tomorrow’s premiership club.
 
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gallagher said:
Ironic isn't it. HBG were mocked for being petty about the orange wests tigers jersey. Now fans are upset about not enough orange on a charity game jersey.
Seems like a lot of pettiness all round!

Being concerned about governance of the club has turned into sooking about inflatable animals.
Click to expand...
That's why I raised it, they could have shown they were the bigger people but chose not to.

HBG created this situation, its their responsibility to fix it.
 
Bus 2 Terrigal Lagoon said:
Unity ?
Do you not remember; Darcy, Barnier all your poddy mates and the throng of pitchfork carrying inner city types threatening to march on Wests Ashfield - just a few short months back ?

To quote the great Hull Kingston Rovers fullback of yesteryear - Isaac Newton
"For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction"
Click to expand...
Exactly right, HBG blew up.the club again so fans protested. HBG had an opportunity to try and fix it but decided to double down.
 
Not as thorough as you Jolls but here's my ten cents worth to get the ball rolling for much needed change you go into detail with.

A good start to helping our team become a Wests Tigers singular outfit would be to abolish the old debenture system and change to a member's voted board nothing will change until this is done.

The inclusion of representatives from Balmain and Wests on a Wests Tigers board will always create friction so change the representation if W.A. insist they have a board member screen for an impartial one.

Our team is Wests Tigers so that should be who they are called right through the grades, it's just ludicrous to use the old club's names, the majority and future supporters are not interested in the old teams anymore.
 
area52 said:
What do people think about pope richardson preaching about crocodile rolls then took the exit door at first opportunity???
Click to expand...
He was true to his word - his involvement was predicated on an independent board being in place. This was removed so he walked.

What we need to get to HBG appointing independents as part of good governance. There is a lot of work to do there.
 
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Jolls said:
He was true to his word - his involvements was predicated on an independent board being in place. This was removed so he walked.

What we need to get to HBG appointing independents as part ofgood governance. There is a lot of work to do there.
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Then don't preach crocodile roll
 
Rock Hopper Steve said:
Not as thorough as you Jolls but here's my ten cents worth to get the ball rolling for much needed change you go into detail with.

A good start to helping our team become a Wests Tigers singular outfit would be to abolish the old debenture system and change to a member's voted board nothing will change until this is done.

The inclusion of representatives from Balmain and Wests on a Wests Tigers board will always create friction so change the representation if W.A. insist they have a board member screen for an impartial one.

Our team is Wests Tigers so that should be who they are called right through the grades, it's just ludicrous to use the old club's names, the majority and future supporters are not interested in the old teams anymore.
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While I tend to agree that the debenture system may be part of the problem it is a Wests Ashfield Governance Structure that needs to be changed form within. Members need to push the narrative that it is outdated, and I believe that there are discussions (possible not beneficial ones) around restructuring.

Both HBG and WT boards would be much better off recruiting membership against a skill matrix as opposed to jobs for the boys/girls that the debenture system promotes.

We need to reframe the discussion from WA/Balmain to board members with marketing expertise, financial accumen, influence at the top end of town etc. To be quite honest the most important member of WT and HBG would be somone experinced in reform - not a toe cutter - but someone that can chart the specified and implied tasks that the two boards should be preforming and from that developing distinct and nested mission statements with goals and tasks that can be measured.

Once board alignment is achieved it is just like a plumbers dream - shit flows downhill.
 
area52 said:
Then don't preach crocodile roll
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I don't get your point - he outlined his requirements for the job - the foundation of his employment was changed and he walked. I'm sure HBG were aware of the conditions of his employment and were banking on him walking when they changed it. This is the part of the board misalignment that is causing our issues. If he stayed he would be morally corrupt. In my opinion him leaving showed moral courage - we don't see much of that around.
 
Jolls said:
I don't get your point - he outlined his requirements for the job - the foundation of his employment was changed and he walked. I'm sure HBG were aware of the conditions of his employment and were banking on him walking when they changed it. This is the part of the board misalignment that is causing our issues. If he stayed he would be morally corrupt. In my opinion him leaving showed moral courage - we don't see much of that around.
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Saying the players who put their body on the line need to go into a crocodile roll while a fat administrator quits the first chance he gets is you cant have your cake and eat it too.

Its a simple concept
 
area52 said:
Saying the players who put their body on the line need to go into a crocodile roll while a fat administrator quits the first chance he gets is you cant have your cake and eat it too.

Its a simple concept
Click to expand...
I get your argument - but you can't have it both ways. If he was to stay he would be morally corrupt he chose to leave so he's not in it for the fight. It was a no win situation that I'm sure was politically motivated. They simply created the circumstances that forced him to make a decision. His decision was that he could no longer work with the HBG board based on the actions that they took. Had they stuck by their employement contract he would probably still be here. So you would stay in your job if the boss white anted you?
 
gallagher said:
Ironic isn't it. HBG were mocked for being petty about the orange wests tigers jersey. Now fans are upset about not enough orange on a charity game jersey.
Seems like a lot of pettiness all round!

Being concerned about governance of the club has turned into sooking about inflatable animals.
Click to expand...
You reckon THAT'S ironic ? !!! . . . . hold my beer.
Not long ago on these here pages, I raised the 'what if" of Balmain surviving, and Wests board blowing themselves up . . . and Wests having only a token say on everything.
I raised the point of Wests complaining about too much orange on the jersey, and too small a magpie emblem . . . as the broke partner.
 
Jolls said:
I get your argument - but you can't have it both ways. If he was to stay he would be morally corrupt he chose to leave so he's not in it for the fight. It was a no win situation that I'm sure was politically motivated. They simply created the circumstances that forced him to make a decision. His decision was that he could no longer work with the HBG board based on the actions that they took. Had they stuck by their employement contract he would probably still be here. So you would stay in your job if the boss white anted you?
Click to expand...
Yes if I'm preaching crocodile rolls on podcasts with myself. Im a man of my word
 
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