SMH Article 'We’ve lost faith in them’: Balmain consider shock exit from Wests Tigers merger

[BZN]

I did read that the people who are supposed to be appointing the directors have suggested O’Farrell remain as chairperson and 2 of the remaining 3 independent directors are women.

‘Incompetent, Machiavellian, tin pots’: The explosive emails at heart of Tigers-Magpies feud

In an email chain titled “Unbelievable CONFIDENTIAL”, Balmain directors have taken aim at the majority owners of Wests Tigers – contradicting their chairman’s description of the relationship as “solid as a rock”.

amp.smh.com.au

Part of the SMH report which is attributed to Balmain's Danny Stapleton says..."Barry [O'farrell] is the best person to Chair the Club through these times and his tenure should be extended WITHOUT QUESTION. The club needs stability and credibility and Barry provides that in spades. I think it's a no brainer that Barry would be selected and given the INDEPENDENT CHAIR ROLE".

I feel there is 2 very big problems in that statement.
1...I feel that Barry does NOT have spades of credibility... he was forced to resign from the Premiership of NSW due to being gifted a reportedly $1000 bottle of wine from a person he most definitely should not have accepted it from and later just FORGOT at a very crucial time, that he had been given it. In other words, he attempted to sweep it under the carpet by telling lies about ever receiving it.
I actually feel he shouldn't be on Our Board at all, or at best be one of the Balmain reps.

2...how can anyone fill the role of an INDEPENDENT CHAIR when they are known to follow either Balmain or Wests Magpies, and Barry has been a lifelong follower of Balmain.



I did read that the people who are supposed to be appointing the directors have suggested O’Farrell remain as chairperson and 2 of the remaining 3 independent directors are women.

‘Incompetent, Machiavellian, tin pots’: The explosive emails at heart of Tigers-Magpies feud

In an email chain titled “Unbelievable CONFIDENTIAL”, Balmain directors have taken aim at the majority owners of Wests Tigers – contradicting their chairman’s description of the relationship as “solid as a rock”.

amp.smh.com.au

 

[CTownTiger]

Part of the SMH report which is attributed to Balmain's Danny Stapleton says..."Barry [O'farrell] is the best person to Chair the Club through these times and his tenure should be extended WITHOUT QUESTION. The club needs stability and credibility and Barry provides that in spades. I think it's a no brainer that Barry would be selected and given the INDEPENDENT CHAIR ROLE".

I feel there is 2 very big problems in that statement.
1...I feel that Barry does NOT have spades of credibility... he was forced to resign from the Premiership of NSW due to being gifted a reportedly $1000 bottle of wine from a person he most definitely should not have accepted it from and later just FORGOT at a very crucial time, that he had been given it. In other words, he attempted to sweep it under the carpet by telling lies about ever receiving it.
I actually feel he shouldn't be on Our Board at all, or at best be one of the Balmain reps.

2...how can anyone fill the role of an INDEPENDENT CHAIR when they are known to follow either Balmain or Wests Magpies, and Barry has been a lifelong follower of Balmain.



I did read that the people who are supposed to be appointing the directors have suggested O’Farrell remain as chairperson and 2 of the remaining 3 independent directors are women.

Yeah, I found out earlier today one of the supposed independent directors who left last year was also on the Balmain board and listed himself as a Balmain representative to the Wests Tigers board on LinkedIn, so somebody has been stretching the definition of independent.

Also, I don't remember how good a job he did previously, but Barry had been the chairman of the wests tiger's board before. He was replaced by Lee Hagipantelis when he left in 2019.

 

[twentyforty]

9 months has now passed since the completion of the Crawford- Barnes review which HGB committed to implementing every recommendation. The recruitment agency has either not put forward any suitable board applicants or they have all been rejected?

 

[bbobb]

In my experience, Boards come and go and with different ideas each time.
The former chair of HBG, may have committed to the reforms - it doesn’t mean the new ones does. Could it be a power play? Julie Romero might be asking why are we (HBG) paying for this without control? The former board agreed but she doesn’t?
I find the appointment of Dennis Burgess telling (very old school thinking IMHO).
Would love to hear what Julie Romero has to say. She hasn’t denied anything and her silence is keeping the story in the media.

 

[Spartan117]

They're silence is because this should be in house.

 

[Needaname]

In my experience, Boards come and go and with different ideas each time.
The former chair of HBG, may have committed to the reforms - it doesn’t mean the new ones does. Could it be a power play? Julie Romero might be asking why are we (HBG) paying for this without control? The former board agreed but she doesn’t?
I find the appointment of Dennis Burgess telling (very old school thinking IMHO).
Would love to hear what Julie Romero has to say. She hasn’t denied anything and her silence is keeping the story in the media.

It was a very simple approach wasn’t it.
Facing a fan revolt to completely restructure the clubs governance. The HBG make a huge statement and sack themselves as well as any other trouble makers alongside them notably our then Chairman, knowing full well they still have a seat at the table in the HBG board.
The HBG board at the time agreed in full to apply all recommendations of the review.
Great job hey, bold statement, done swiftly and with not much opposition to the outcome.
Fans loved it, we won they say.
HBG meanwhile start thinking up ways to once again become relevant once the dust blows over.
meanwhile WT are in a position of no formal governance and the HBG have taken full control.
A restructure on HBG then bring about a loophole in that the agreement to apply the recommendations was made by the then directors and chairperson.
New board and directors have other plans and push to move in a different direction.
Do we need to call in Brydens lawyers to go over the terms of the review agreement? If there ever was anything put done in writing or on the record.

 

[Red88_Tiger]

In my experience, Boards come and go and with different ideas each time.
The former chair of HBG, may have committed to the reforms - it doesn’t mean the new ones does. Could it be a power play? Julie Romero might be asking why are we (HBG) paying for this without control? The former board agreed but she doesn’t?
I find the appointment of Dennis Burgess telling (very old school thinking IMHO).
Would love to hear what Julie Romero has to say. She hasn’t denied anything and her silence is keeping the story in the media.

Don’t know if true but read a post on here that she has lost a member of family (partner or father I can’t quite recall) so I don’t think this turmoil would be high on the agenda

Can anyone verify

 

[Jimmy]

Wests and Balmain are like two turds fighting over who smells the best…shut up and implement the changes and get on with it…its embarrassing

 

[CTownTiger]

It was a very simple approach wasn’t it.
Facing a fan revolt to completely restructure the clubs governance. The HBG make a huge statement and sack themselves as well as any other trouble makers alongside them notably our then Chairman, knowing full well they still have a seat at the table in the HBG board.
The HBG board at the time agreed in full to apply all recommendations of the review.
Great job hey, bold statement, done swiftly and with not much opposition to the outcome.
Fans loved it, we won they say.
HBG meanwhile start thinking up ways to once again become relevant once the dust blows over.
meanwhile WT are in a position of no formal governance and the HBG have taken full control.
A restructure on HBG then bring about a loophole in that the agreement to apply the recommendations was made by the then directors and chairperson.
New board and directors have other plans and push to move in a different direction.
Do we need to call in Brydens lawyers to go over the terms of the review agreement? If there ever was anything put done in writing or on the record.

I’m not sure if it’s fair to say HBG has taken full control. The current board consists of a representative each from HBG, Western Suburbs Magpies, and Balmain Tigers. With Barry O’Farrell as the chair, things are probably a bit even at the moment.

 

[TigerTownSFS]

Don’t know if true but read a post on here that she has lost a member of family (partner or father I can’t quite recall) so I don’t think this turmoil would be high on the agenda

Can anyone verify

VALE PETER RONALD HARDGROVE 16/11/1950 – 15/12/2023 - Holman Barnes Group

It is with profound sadness that I inform you of the passing of Mr Peter Hardgrove. Joining the Club in 1979, Peter was elected to the Board of Wests Ashfield [...]Read More... from VALE PETER RONALD HARDGROVE 16/11/1950 – 15/12/2023

holmanbarnesgroup.com.au

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Julie Romero looks to be the defacto partner of a previous Wests Ashfield Chairman Peter Hardgrove. Hardgrove died in December last year and in March this year she toppled the previous Chairman of Wests Tigers and Holman Barnes Group, Tony Andreacchio (who has commissioned and accepted the review).

​

 

[Rugba]

Board is only important if they are too involved in the running of the joint , they are there for governance and having the right people leading the organisation.

The joint has richo so he will be cleaning house with structures and admin

Boards are important but in league they overstate the importance. Why do you think there is a whole bunch of DEI bullshit about woman having equal numbers on boards but never hear about CEO having to be a woman. The CEO is person who runs the place , board is oversearers.

Good example is the NRL board . The board members are just muppets and yes people for PVL . PVL whilst chairman is actively involved in running the game , he acts like an executive chairman who does CEO role

 

[twentyforty]

Board is only important if they are too involved in the running of the joint , they are there for governance and having the right people leading the organisation.

The joint has richo so he will be cleaning house with structures and admin

Boards are important but in league they overstate the importance. Why do you think there is a whole bunch of DEI bullshit about woman having equal numbers on boards but never hear about CEO having to be a woman. The CEO is person who runs the place , board is oversearers.

Good example is the NRL board . The board members are just muppets and yes people for PVL . PVL whilst chairman is actively involved in running the game , he acts like an executive chairman who does CEO role

I agree with your point to some extent. We have muppets too but our muppets are pretty much hands on. If for example a “recruitment list committee“ is formed at least one of those muppets will be on the committee and have the positional authority to make a final decision.
I often wondered why the club had taken an eternity to get Richo’s 4 year contract squared away? I’m hoping it was a question of “whose job is it?” Kind of stuff.
Anyway, where are these 4 independent board members? They were supposed to be here by May 2024.

 

[tigertragic]

I agree with your point to some extent. We have muppets too but our muppets are pretty much hands on. If for example a “recruitment list committee“ is formed at least one of those muppets will be on the committee and have the positional authority to make a final decision.
I often wondered why the club had taken an eternity to get Richo’s 4 year contract squared away? I’m hoping it was a question of “whose job is it?” Kind of stuff.
Anyway, where are these 4 independent board members? They were supposed to be here by May 2024.

Maybe HBG aren’t fans of ‘independent’ board members as they loose control

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

Every which way but LOOSE

 

[Magpie_Magic]

Every which way but LOOSE

Gold

 

[gallagher]

Board is only important if they are too involved in the running of the joint , they are there for governance and having the right people leading the organisation.

The joint has richo so he will be cleaning house with structures and admin

Boards are important but in league they overstate the importance. Why do you think there is a whole bunch of DEI bullshit about woman having equal numbers on boards but never hear about CEO having to be a woman. The CEO is person who runs the place , board is oversearers.

Good example is the NRL board . The board members are just muppets and yes people for PVL . PVL whilst chairman is actively involved in running the game , he acts like an executive chairman who does CEO role

Good post, whilever Richo is here i I'll remain optimistic.

 

[liltiger]

Now Chammas claiming a high profile Wests Tigers member has gone to the N.R.L alleging that there's a push to resurrect the Magpies. If it's true I wish the dinosaurs from both Wests and Balmain would just bugger off.

 

[Red88_Tiger]

VALE PETER RONALD HARDGROVE 16/11/1950 – 15/12/2023 - Holman Barnes Group

It is with profound sadness that I inform you of the passing of Mr Peter Hardgrove. Joining the Club in 1979, Peter was elected to the Board of Wests Ashfield [...]Read More... from VALE PETER RONALD HARDGROVE 16/11/1950 – 15/12/2023

holmanbarnesgroup.com.au

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Julie Romero looks to be the defacto partner of a previous Wests Ashfield Chairman Peter Hardgrove. Hardgrove died in December last year and in March this year she toppled the previous Chairman of Wests Tigers and Holman Barnes Group, Tony Andreacchio (who has commissioned and accepted the review).

​

Not as recent as I had assumed

 

[Red88_Tiger]

Every which way but LOOSE

Are you saying we need Clint Eastwood and Clyde to run the show

 

[twentyforty]

Maybe HBG aren’t fans of ‘independent’ board members as they loose control

It’s beginning to appear that way.