It's time to take the fight back to HBG

[hammertime]

Also - don’t forget the whole debenture system is under review by Liquor and Gaming - thanks to the efforts of people who wrote to the Minister and the Department calling for that review

Now would be a great time for anyone else wanting to challenge the legitimacy of the Debenture system to write to Hon David Harris MP - every letter helps

Great suggestion. I'm going to send something through now.

 

[tig_prmz]

The debenture model is something out of an authoritarian state. It is a system where they have total control and are protected by a firewall from any opposition. I guess it was setup with good intentions many years ago but now is a means of total control.

We have to be very careful what we replace it with if we are lucky enough to over throw the current system. You only have to look what goes on at Parra and the dogs with massive factional fights erupt all the time. Obviously we need a democratic system where members get to vote and the board is held accountable but we still need to get the right people with the right expertise onto the board and that is no certainty under any system.

Funding is our biggest issue and we need the HBG to focus on their rugby league club, because that what their primary role should be. Yes, it’s good they spread the pokie revenue back into the community to help projects but their rugby league project must be their main focus.

All antiquated systems eventually fall let’s hope the debenture system’s time is up

Playing the devil's advocate here but..

Why should RL be their main project?
It's their money and they can choose to spend it on Leichardt, Central Coast, campbelltown wherever and whichever community sport they want. It doesn't have to be Wests Tigers

 

[wstigers11]

Playing the devil's advocate here but..

Why should RL be their main project?
It's their money and they can choose to spend it on Leichardt, Central Coast, campbelltown wherever and whichever community sport they want. It doesn't have to be Wests Tigers

Because that’s their constitution

 

[hammertime]

It's not misconstrued. Do your homework instead of simply putting forward your 'theory.'

HBG is Wests Magpies. It owns 66% of the p/l company that is called Wests Magpies p/l. The remaining 33% is owned by Western Suburbs footy club.

The most recent HBG debenture holder appointments are 3x Western Suburbs (Epifania, Fallah, Cairns), and 2x APIA (Primerano, Raciti).

Don't be a fool and make this a magpie's thing. You damage the effort going into the real argument for the change; it irritates everyone and keeps the media on the wrong message.

If we're going to succeed in making a change, think about the actual problem. That's what @Cultured_Bogan was getting at.

Maybe you need to do your homework

 

[hammertime]

Then the previous poster should get their facts right. That's all I've done, and it's more than 99.9% of you are doing with your opinions and theories.

Go read it again you muppet. He said nothing factually wrong.

 

[Telltails]

Unfortunately the Wests/ Balmain and ultimately Wests Tigers brand has been damaged by individuals that have not lived up to the demands /expectations of what is necessary for running a successful professional sporting club.
It is ridiculous that talking about our connection where ever that originates from can still cause division after 26 years. This is a failure in leadership that continues to fan division by not fully embracing Wests Tigers.

 

[shiretiger]

Funding is our biggest issue and we need the HBG to focus on their rugby league club, because that what their primary role should be. Yes, it’s good they spread the pokie revenue back into the community to help projects but their rugby league project must be their main focus.

I'm no apologist for HBG but Is it?

From the 2025 financial report (the most recent):

Note 2 page 37

Revenue

Grant - NRL $20,041.818
Grant - Other $3,035,552 *
Sponsorship - $7,431,909 *
Merchandise Sales - $1,592146 * (Consolidated less Parent)
Member subscriptions - $1,877,973 * (Consolidated less Parent)
Corporate Hospitality - $984,646 *
Ticketing - $4,734,280 *

Total $39,98,324

Now I don't know for certain, but I can only assume, that the vast bulk of the * items relate to Wests Tigers. The Other Grant, who knows? Some will relate to Western Suburbs District Rugby League Football Club Limited and APIA Leichhardt. There is no way of breaking down this from the Annual Report that I can see.

On page 29 it states that the Non Controlling Interest's (ie Balmain) share of the net profit is $182,674. That is 10% of the Wests Tigers Rugy League Football Pty Ltd's profit of $1,826,740.

Note 24 on page 52 outlines the player and coaching contractual commitments - $14,465,040 within 12 months, a further $21,922,880 between one and five years.

Note 25 on page 53 states that HBG paid $1,606,288 to other related party - Wests Tigers Rugby League Football Pty Ltd. It was $2,175,974 the year before.

The salary cap for 2027 is $12.1M.

 

[shiretiger]

Playing the devil's advocate here but..

Why should RL be their main project?
It's their money and they can choose to spend it on Leichardt, Central Coast, campbelltown wherever and whichever community sport they want. It doesn't have to be Wests Tigers

From the 2025 Directors Report

Objectives
Short term
The short term objective of the organisation is to continue to grow revenue and other income to facilitate an
improved customer experience for our members and guests. Furthermore, through the improved profitability the
consolidated entity is in a position to continue to make significant contributions to the community, charitable
organisations, Rugby League and a range of other sports at varying levels.
Long term
The long term vision of success for the consolidated entity is driven through four main quadrants:
● Creating experiences and generating pride among our members and guests,
● Being primarily known for our contribution to the inner west community,
● A platform to a better future for our employees, and;
● Respecting tradition and embracing the future of Rugby League.
This vision is supported by our values of accountability, authenticity, social responsibility, continual improvement
and a dedication to being passionate.
Through the success of these visions and values the consolidated entity will be in a position to ensure that the
expanded facilities and improved customer experience will continue to evolve for many years to come.

But the main reason why is tax.

From the 2025 annual report , Note 6 page 39/40

Wests Tigers Rugby League Football Pty Ltd is a non-profit organisation established for sports administration and training for a professional rugby league team. It is prohibited from declaring a dividend and is exempt from tax.

 

[cktiger]

Playing the devil's advocate here but..

Why should RL be their main project?
It's their money and they can choose to spend it on Leichardt, Central Coast, campbelltown wherever and whichever community sport they want. It doesn't have to be Wests Tigers

When did Holman or Barnes play soccer?

 

[hammertime]

He said HBG were 'previously' aligned with Wests. His argument is based on this.

They are wholly-aligned with Wests. Just look at the ownership tree. The recent upheaval with the Wayde, Andreacchio, & Gilbert dismissals, and the incidents detailed in the current court proceedings, were to strengthen the future pro-Magpie direction of the HBG board.

They have also added a Tiger's great to their name, and support the Balmain pathways. I get your point, but that's not the angle or point I believe @Cultured_Bogan was trying to make. It's prefaced at the start.

Belittling people's comments with "do your homework", when they were well articulated and intelligent, is something that really bugs me. It's the same idiots who say "do your own research", but fall for YouTube propaganda. Especially when you are completely off-tangent from where the argument needs to land.

The more this focuses on Wests, the more you divide people and ignore the real issues around the structure and credentials.

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

They have also added a Tiger's great to their name, and support the Balmain pathways. I get your point, but that's not the angle or point I believe @Cultured_Bogan was trying to make. It's prefaced at the start.

Belittling people's comments with "do your homework", when they were well articulated and intelligent, is something that really bugs me. It's the same idiots who say "do your own research", but fall for YouTube propaganda. Especially when you are completely off-tangent from where the argument needs to land.

The more this focuses on Wests, the more you divide people and ignore the real issues around the structure and credentials.

I started the post with that there are Wests elements within HBG, of course there is. I wasn't suggesting otherwise as HBG is merely the repackaged body of Wests Ashfield and a couple of small former Balmain venues.

The infighting at the top smacks to me of plain old politicking where people just want to hang on to power and preserve the system that gets them there. Andreacchio was a director of WSDRLFC so he is a Wests man as well, and he got knifed by other Wests aligned interests. A bit of "Wests on Wests" violence if you will.

This is what I mean to say when I say it's not a Balmain v Wests or WT v Wests thing. It appears to me that there's a power consolidation within HBG and certain interests are trying to maintain that system that allows them to get there and stay there. This is an issue within HBG and WT being affected is incidental as they are owned by HBG.

Re-reading my post I've misworded WA being "previously" Wests aligned, they obviously still are aligned with/towards the interests of WSDRLFC, but it is no longer their sole focus as they also have WT as a going concern.

 

[supercoach]

Playing the devil's advocate here but..

Why should RL be their main project?
It's their money and they can choose to spend it on Leichardt, Central Coast, campbelltown wherever and whichever community sport they want. It doesn't have to be Wests Tigers

Correction, it’s the members money that they have zero say in what it’s used for. Without members you don’t have a club. HBG is a very small group of people who basically vote for themselves and control the running and funding of the club. Blind Freddy even knows they have been a abject failure for a long time but hey let’s sack coaches, players, and football staff as it must be their fault for over a decade of embarrassment

 

[supercoach]

Let’s put a lid on the Wests v Balmain thing..it’s been done to death a million times. As fans we need to be united more than ever if we are going to force a change from the current set up at HBG

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

Let’s put a lid on the Wests v Balmain thing..it’s been done to death a million times. As fans we need to be united more than ever if we are going to force a change from the current set up at HBG

I tried that, apparently the dog ate my homework.

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

When did Holman or Barnes play soccer?

I wouldn't have an issue with them expanding into football if the WT was well run. It's not, and until it is they probably shouldn't be taking on any other clubs, particularly other basketcases like the Mariners.

 

[Chunk]

Playing the devil's advocate here but..

Why should RL be their main project?
It's their money and they can choose to spend it on Leichardt, Central Coast, campbelltown wherever and whichever community sport they want. It doesn't have to be Wests Tigers

The Leagues Club and Football Club should be 'one'. They soley operate to help and suppport each other.

In other words the Leagues club exists becuase of the Football club, not the other way around.

I wonder if this has always been the case with the Magpies and their leagues club, could have this been a big reason why they were so crap for so long? Or has been only since the Wests Tigers existed?

The Bulldogs example just shows how strong the football club is compared to the Leagues club. The football club can allocate 4 of the 7 positions on the Leagues Club board, this is so far removed for the Wests Tigers.

From AI

• Football Club Appointees: The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Football Club has the perpetual right to directly appoint four (4) of the seven (7) directors on the Canterbury Leagues Club board.
• Leagues Club Member Voting: The remaining three (3) positions on the Canterbury Leagues Club board are voted on by eligible members of the Leagues Club itself.

 

[liltiger]

Basically the majority of members are social members. After 3 years you can apply to become a general member, this gives you full voting rights and needs to be approved by the board.

Deadset closed cartel

 

[liltiger]

Yeah it's been a shitshow since inception. Both Balmain and Wests have had their hand in it.

Its strange. It it the absolute definition of insanity, trying the same thing over time and again hoping the outcome will be different. What i mean is in the merger two clubs who were struggling decided to get togeather to run another club in the hope they could both make it work. Yet if either had the ability to make it work they wouldnt have needed to merge. The irony.

 

[Papacito]

They have also added a Tiger's great to their name, and support the Balmain pathways. I get your point, but that's not the angle or point I believe @Cultured_Bogan was trying to make. It's prefaced at the start.

Belittling people's comments with "do your homework", when they were well articulated and intelligent, is something that really bugs me. It's the same idiots who say "do your own research", but fall for YouTube propaganda. Especially when you are completely off-tangent from where the argument needs to land.

The more this focuses on Wests, the more you divide people and ignore the real issues around the structure and credentials.

To add:

- HBG actually give more money to Balmain's footy club the the Magpies
- The Magpies footy club board is cooked as well for ordinary members with 4/7 spots appointed by HBG

Outside of people's imaginations, the whole Magpies v Balmain hasn't been a thing for a very long time.

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

The Leagues Club and Football Club should be 'one'. They soley operate to help and suppport each other.

In other words the Leagues club exists becuase of the Football club, not the other way around.

I wonder if this has always been the case with the Magpies and their leagues club, could have this been a big reason why they were so crap for so long? Or has been only since the Wests Tigers existed?

The Bulldogs example just shows how strong the football club is compared to the Leagues club. The football club can allocate 4 of the 7 positions on the Leagues Club board, this is so far removed for the Wests Tigers.

From AI

• Football Club Appointees: The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Football Club has the perpetual right to directly appoint four (4) of the seven (7) directors on the Canterbury Leagues Club board.
• Leagues Club Member Voting: The remaining three (3) positions on the Canterbury Leagues Club board are voted on by eligible members of the Leagues Club itself.

Depends what the charter says.