Save Our Sides Protest Rally - SUN 05FEB11

[Chris]

After reading the articles over the last couple of days, I'm sure the reaction that was intended has been achieved. Nothing but vitriol directed toward Wests Tigers and Balmain, and the Magpies have been hard done by. No one has seemed to demonise Wests Ashfield or Campbelltown though for cutting/not offering funding…

Emotion has clearly gotten in the way of the facts here.

Completely agree. In addition, why is the financial position of Balmain Leagues club not being discussed?

Probably because the Balmain fans have conceded the clubs days in the top tier are over and are not stirring the pot, so to speak. There's no sensationalism in reporting what all Balmain supporters know and accept. The fact the Magpie fans aren't laying down as quietly helps sell newspapers and as such, is being highlighted currently in the media.

 

[hammertime]

Here is an interesting article…

THE future of Western Suburbs Magpies could come to an end much sooner than first thought, with the foundation club not guaranteed funds to play in the NSW Cup this year.
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A day after The Daily Telegraph revealed parent club the Wests Tigers would field just one team in the NSW Cup in 2013 - at the expense of the Magpies - Wests officials said they had not received the annual $300,000 from major backers Wests Ashfield required to field a Cup team this year.
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New Magpies coach Trevor Schodel and officials said Wests Ashfield were not happy about a planned protest on February 5, aimed to raise awareness about the Maggies' Cup demise and the health of league in Campbelltown.
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**There was also a suggestion that Wests Ashfield would only fund the Cup team in 2012 if Magpies chairman Paul Dillion resigned. Dillion offered a "no comment" when asked about the suggestion yesterday while sources at Wests Ashfield rejected those claims.**
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Either way, the Magpies are yet to receive any cash required to play in the Cup, which begins in two months.
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"There are no 100 per cent guarantees we will get our funding this year," Schodel told The Daily Telegraph. "I'm really concerned for the players. Our first training session we had six players, now we've got 34 players training hard, and I'd be bitterly disappointed if Wests Ashfield listen to Wests Tigers and stopped our funding. It's now January and our first game is on March 3.
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"It's devastating to see a traditional club treated this way. I'd hate to be the last person who coaches Wests."
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Graeme Szynal, the man behind the Save Our Sides protest rally planned for next month, said all the Magpies and Campbelltown league fraternity wanted was a better deal from the Wests Tigers, the team they helped form in 1999 by merging with Balmain.
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"We still want our juniors to become Wests Tigers players, but they shouldn't have to play for Balmain or travel to Concord for training to do so," Szynal said.
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Wests Ashfield deputy chairman Russell Smith would not comment on funding.
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http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/magpies-demise-fast-approaching/story-e6frfgbo-1226242091827

If this is true, than they can get their funding right? Can't the Magpies board come up with a deal with Ashfield somehow to keep the club alive beyond 2012 if Paul Dillon is the issue? Or is this just lies?

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

After reading the articles over the last couple of days, I'm sure the reaction that was intended has been achieved. Nothing but vitriol directed toward Wests Tigers and Balmain, and the Magpies have been hard done by. No one has seemed to demonise Wests Ashfield or Campbelltown though for cutting/not offering funding…

Emotion has clearly gotten in the way of the facts here.

Completely agree. In addition, why is the financial position of Balmain Leagues club not being discussed?

Probably because the Balmain fans have conceded the clubs days in the top tier are over and are not stirring the pot, so to speak. There's no sensationalism in reporting what all Balmain supporters know and accept. The fact the Magpie fans aren't laying down as quietly helps sell newspapers and as such, is being highlighted currently in the media.

I'd be happy for the state of Balmain Leagues to be reported. The more transparency in respect to this matter, the better.

In any case, this will likely be played out in the media now, not all the facts will be covered (be it from Balmain, Western Suburbs or the Wests Tigers,) and it will only damage the WT brand now. The Terrorgraph will ride this to death as well, seeing as they and WT aren't exactly chummy.

Does anyone know for certain whether from 2013 onward that the NSW Cup side will be rebranded as WT?

 

[Gary_Bakerloo]

After reading the articles over the last couple of days, I'm sure the reaction that was intended has been achieved. Nothing but vitriol directed toward Wests Tigers and Balmain, and the Magpies have been hard done by. No one has seemed to demonise Wests Ashfield or Campbelltown though for cutting/not offering funding…

Emotion has clearly gotten in the way of the facts here.

Completely agree. In addition, why is the financial position of Balmain Leagues club not being discussed?

Probably because the Balmain fans have conceded the clubs days in the top tier are over and are not stirring the pot, so to speak. There's no sensationalism in reporting what all Balmain supporters know and accept. The fact the Magpie fans aren't laying down as quietly helps sell newspapers and as such, is being highlighted currently in the media.

I think many old Magpie fans understand their club is not top tier. My point is what is driving the decision to have just the one team. Yes, Wests Ashfield wants to cut costs and support Wests Tigers, but going by their annual report, they still have capacity to support a state cup team. Conversely, Balmain Leagues is in all sorts and the current scenario is unsustainable. By bringing it all under Wests Tigers, the financial stress is reduced.

Just to clarify, I am all for merging the state teams because it makes financial sense for Wests Tigers. However what riles me is that ALL the facts with regard to this decision are not on the table for all to see. There is finger pointing in all directions, but in the end, this decision is being made to reduce the stress on Wests Ashfield and Balmain Leagues and to a lesser extent, Wests Campbelltown.

 

[slacko]

I've done a bit of reading in this post and as usual it has fallen to the same squabbling as all other magpies, balmain related threads.

A point I'd like to make.
A lot of people say central coast need a team due to the amount of people in one area not being services by rugby league.

If the general magpie area isn't bigger already (sorry can't be bothered doing a quick google search on this) it will be in a few years, plain and simple. This area out here will boom. Go for a drive to my old school at Middleton grange, when I started school it was a farm, go to the old race track at Oran park.

So galah's most previous question has merit. Campbelltown will one day need a full time nrl team. Wether it will or should be the wests tigers…

What annoys me the most about wests situation is they didn't have a chance, why would 1000 fathers take their kids to watch a bunch of blokes run around that have no chance at playing first grade.

A lot of people and I suspect many on here love watching all three grades to see the kids coming through.

Wests don't have a chance of bringing extra gate money to struggle to survive, we don't keep the fringe first graders.

I don't know how to keep the magpies alive, I'm pleased they offered to wear a tiger on their sleeves, similar to the wests tigers set up.
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[batboy]

After reading the articles over the last couple of days, I'm sure the reaction that was intended has been achieved. Nothing but vitriol directed toward Wests Tigers and Balmain, and the Magpies have been hard done by. No one has seemed to demonise Wests Ashfield or Campbelltown though for cutting/not offering funding…

Emotion has clearly gotten in the way of the facts here.

Completely agree. In addition, why is the financial position of Balmain Leagues club not being discussed?

Probably because it has nothing to do with the Western Suburbs RLFC Demise…
Some will claim it does, But it doesn't.
It's reported that Ashfield will pay if there is a Resignation from Dillon... What does that tell you? Where there is smoke there is fire!! The guy with the money doesn't trust the guy he has to give it to...
How can this be the fault of WT's
WT's want to streamline thier system, It's thier right... It's THIER system. They asked Wests to be part of this progression, They wouldn't have it. Now they are blaming WT's because they have come top the blinding realisation... THEY CAN'T SURVIVE WITHOUT THEM, And that WT's can function as a Top 4 team PERFECTLY WITHOUT THEM!! As harsh a reality as it is... That is the way it is. Melbourne survive with half a reserve grade team. 2 is stupidity!!
NO ONE from Balmain or the Magpies have No right to judge WT's on the way the buisness is run, They both drove thiers to certain death!! Whilst WT's goes from strength to strength.
There is talk the Base should be moved.... WHY?? It works where it is... It's been there for 10 years, It's been built around our team, This is a buisness... I don't know any buisness that picks up and moves for absolutely no reason!!
Should my Buisness move closer to my house so it is easier for me to get to work?? WAKE UP!!
If we are talking about history.... What happens to the History within the walls of Concord? We grew from a shamble to a powerhouse there!!
It seems the WT's are being held accountable for the WSRL district, WHY?? As Sydney grow further West, Where does it stop?? It is a large area, And getting larger.... As Sydney develops further West, Do Wests move further and further out to accomodate the area? Maybe they should move straight to Goulbourn in anticipation of further growth to Sydneys West.
I'm glad Watto called it for what it is... WSRL has been a fodder of personal adgendas for years, This rally is no different.
I'm proud of the fight the Maggies put up last year, Given the odds.... But it's time to face facts!! The decision was made to NOT head in WT's Direction, Now this decision must be lived with!!
This fight is to keep the Magpie brand alive and as relevant as possible at all costs...
Personally, I will be at the Rally, And I would love to see them stay alive...
But NOT TO THE DETRIMENT OF WT's, WT's has been put out "Just for old times sake" For far too long, There is one way forward.... And they're onto it!!

 

[Tiger_Watto]

The finger pointing at the Wests Tigers is irrelevant until the Wests Group can get on the one bus and drive forward. Judging by some comments, none of their Boards can agree on anything and it would also appear a majority of Wests seem to agree on the Humpty/Sheens agenda.

Is the only reason BRET will be hosting the State Cup Players is because WT's dont have a License to play in the NSW Cup? Why doesnt the NSWRL amend this so they can play under the WT Banner this year?

 

[Gary_Bakerloo]

WT's want to streamline thier system, It's thier right… It's THIER system. They asked Wests to be part of this progression, They wouldn't have it.

Why are they streamlining their system? It is cost cutting and reducing reliance on leagues clubs.

They asked Wests to be part of this progression, They wouldn't have it.

Wrong. Wests Ashfield and Wests Campbelltown (5 of Wests Group 6 votes) are on board with the streamlining.

NO ONE from Balmain or the Magpies have No right to judge WT's on the way the buisness is run, They both drove thiers to certain death!! Whilst WT's goes from strength to strength.

Yes, they do have the right. Balmain Football Club and Western Suburbs Football Club are shareholders in the joint venture.

 

[batboy]

I would assume WT's don't have the Licence because WSRL wouldn't agree to it??
There was mention some time ago that Wests stalled or something and the application period lapsed
(Or something of this nature)
Furthermore…. It would be hard for the Majority of the Wests Group NOT to agree with the Sheens / Humpty Buisness plan.... On one side of the coin, It's very hard to argue with common sense, on the other... It will save them some coin.

 

[batboy]

WT's want to streamline thier system, It's thier right… It's THIER system. They asked Wests to be part of this progression, They wouldn't have it.

Why are they streamlining their system? It is cost cutting and reducing reliance on leagues clubs.

**As well as staff, Resources and saving time. What benefit would it be for our Head Coach to have to report to 2 different sets of Reserve Grade staff… Who incidentally are opponents in the same comp??... Time and time again this question has been asked by me, NO ANSWER!!**

They asked Wests to be part of this progression, They wouldn't have it.

Wrong. Wests Ashfield and Wests Campbelltown (5 of Wests Group 6 votes) are on board with the streamlining.

**Was referring to the football club, Which i highly doubt is on board with it**

NO ONE from Balmain or the Magpies have No right to judge WT's on the way the buisness is run, They both drove thiers to certain death!! Whilst WT's goes from strength to strength.

Yes, they do have the right. Balmain Football Club and Western Suburbs Football Club are shareholders in the joint venture.

**I'm a share holder of the Commonwealth Bank, It gives me the right to express my opinion, Not give instruction on how the buisness should be run… There's a guy employed to do that, And he is doing a K**K AR*E job!**

 

[Gary_Bakerloo]

**… There's a guy employed to do that, And he is doing a K**K AR*E job!**

That guy reports to the Board, of which both Balmain and Wests Football Clubs hold seats.

FYI - you can indirectly have a say in way CBA is operated through shareholding voting. The recent changes to the Corps Act actually provides more power to shareholder voting. Shareholders can now veto such things as executive pay.

 

[Yossarian]

I would assume WT's don't have the Licence because WSRL wouldn't agree to it??
There was mention some time ago that Wests stalled or something and the application period lapsed
(Or something of this nature)

It's possibly due to the State Cup being a NSWRL competition and therefore entry may only be open to teams under the NSWRL umbrella which the WT (who have only competed in the NRL) are technically not (warning: claim not fact checked!). So WT would need to register as a team under the NSWRL or (more likely) wait for the IC to startup and worry about it then.

 

[batboy]

**… There's a guy employed to do that, And he is doing a K**K AR*E job!**

That guy reports to the Board, of which both Balmain and Wests Football Clubs hold seats.

**YEP!! HE SURE DOES… And they seem to be happy with the way he's handling the buisness**

FYI - you can indirectly have a say in way CBA is operated through shareholding voting. The recent changes to the Corps Act actually provides more power to shareholder voting. Shareholders can now veto such things as executive pay.

 

[batboy]

Can't help but notice the 1st question remains un-answered GB…..

 

[genoshan]

I never thought I'd see the day when St George-Illawarra is given as a good example of a JV…

In relation to Yoss' response about the St George JV, the difference is the Steelers were relatively new to the comp and most people from the Gong followed the Dragons anyway. Their takeover of the Steeleers was accepted and favourable even for most Steelers followers.

The main difference here is Magpies have been abour since 1908 as have Balmain. I am an ex Wests follower and the merger hurt me inside BUT it makes sense to me to have WT path to the top level of competition.

I have accpeted Wests Magpies are no longer my team and follow the Wests Tigers. I do believe the Balmain side got the better of the JV in hindsight, but so be it.

A lot of what has been said is based on passion. Even now if asked do I want the Magpies back in FG, my answer is NO. I follow Wests Tigers.

The business needs to make money and to do that we need to win and promote the Tigers brand.

Count me as an ex Westie giving the thumbs up to see the Maggies and Tigers merge the lower grades as well.

Sorry Galahs …

 

[Gary_Bakerloo]

Can't help but notice the 1st question remains un-answered GB…..

Which question?

 

[batboy]

What exactly are the Benefits to the Head Coach and the System of having to work with 2 sets of Reserve Grade staff and Players, Who incidentally… Are opponents in the same competition?

 

[Gary_Bakerloo]

What exactly are the Benefits to the Head Coach and the System of having to work with 2 sets of Reserve Grade staff and Players, Who incidentally… Are opponents in the same competition?

Sorry, I did not see this question in your post(s).

There is the benefit of having a bigger talent pool, but from a financial perspective (and my own personal perspective), one second tier team is preferable.

 

[batboy]

I understand the Benefit of a bigger talent pool… But realistically,
We have a top 25ish
We have U20's 25ish
If there are 20 a peice is Ressies, that give's us 90 Guys to choose 17 from.
AT THE EXTREME,
That would be if our top 17 weren't available. It's beyond overkill!!
I also believe the time and Money could be better utilised. I catch a lot of State Cup,
And Sheensie was frequent for both sides in 2010, I imagine the 2nd side was very time
consuming for him. With limited realistic benefits making thier way to 1sts.

 

[galahs]

**I'm a share holder of the Commonwealth Bank, It gives me the right to express my opinion, Not give instruction on how the buisness should be run… There's a guy employed to do that, And he is doing a K**K AR*E job!**

Wests Tigers are a Private company

They have shareholders, Wests and Balmain

They are governed by their constitution.

The Wests Tigers constitution clearly says we WILL retain our identity in all other competitions apart from the NRL.

To change the constitution requires a UNANIMOUS vote by the shareholders.

The Magpies currently will not vote to agree to this decision as we believe it isn't in the best interest of our district.

And the MAgpies constitutions states, all decision the Magpies make must be in the best interest of Rugby League (not the Wests Tigers) for our district.