Wests Magpies may become extinct

[Discussion_Bot]

ANOTHER part of rugby league's foundation folklore is set to be buried, with Wests Tigers getting closer to combining their stand-alone NSW Cup feeder sides next season. In the face of long-held reservations from head coach Tim Sheens, the joint venture have preserved Balmain Tigers and Western Suburbs as separate entities in the second tier.

While practically minded officials argue a secondary merger would save unnecessary duplication and stop contracted players having to play against each other, sentiment has prevailed since Wests Tigers were formed a decade ago.

But the prevailing mood among Balmain and Wests directors is shifting towards a common-sense approach promoted by the parent club and its new CEO Stephen Humphreys.

"Having two NSW Cup sides is not desirable from our point of view because it pits our players against one another, rather than having them on the same team," Humphreys said.

"Having two sides also means we spend twice as much at NSW Cup level and there is a desire to divert some of that finding to our junior league."

Balmain and Wests are currently reviewing their positions but don't expect an answer for another few weeks yet.

[Source](http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/wests-magpies-may-become-extinct/story-e6frfgbo-1225912101863)

 

[Geo]

http://www.weststigersforum.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=4514" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Hmmm…..seems it may become a reality...

 

[Spartan117]

This is a good thing isn't it???

For me its all about galvanizing the support of the next generation of Tigers Supporters, and while tradition is respected it doesn't move our club closer to winning more trophies more often.

One First Grade team
One State Cup team
One U20's team

Sounds good.

 

[Tiger_Watto]

yeah….. im not convinced.

From a Wests Tigers point of view, this will be a step into the right direction of being a singular indentity, and I believe this needs to happen on and off the field.

But.... Wests & Balmain are foundation Teams in the NSWRL and I'd like to keep that tradition. They have been there for 102 years. Brisbane still use Wests, Redcliffe & Easts as their feeder clubs, so why cant the Wests Tigers use 2 NSW teams for now???

 

[lathami]

No way!!!!!
WHere are we coming in the comp??
Yes it must not be working.!? 2nd…
We are the only truely 50/50 merger and our tradition should remain...
**EDIT BY MODS** they wont let you knock down a building over fifty years old due to hertage listing, we are both over 100 years old and we both love it.... if it aint broke dont fix it...
Leave the maggies and the tiges alone.

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

I'm not entirely sure on how the state cup works, but surely it would be to our benefit to keep two sides to retain more of our U20's who aren't quite ready for FG yet?

 

[supercoach]

This is hard one. I like the idea of a wests tigers team running around in reserve grade. It also would be good for the budget and the money saved being channeled into the juniors. On the other side I would hate not seeing Balmain and Wests running around and of course it gives another 20 odd players a chance of making it to the NRL.

 

[Centaur]

In an effort to maintain heritage, perhaps we could call the 20's the Wests Magpies and the State Cup the Balmain Tigers. Or vice versa.

 

[system]

Nothing is to stop Balmain and Western Suburbs choosing to play in the Bundy Red Cup competition next season. In fact it may not be a bad thing as that comp is struggling for numbers currently

 

[Mona_Lolesi]

I believe they should merge. Essentially the Balmain/Wests thing is now a generation thing.

I was 14 in 2000 so I would consider myself right towards the border of those who remember watching and supporting Balmain (and Wests) in the Winfield cup etc.
All new and younger supporters now follow the Wests Tigers.

Our retro jerseys and traditional home grounds pay enough tribute to our proud history.

Losing them in the State cup is hardly the end.

 

[Spartan117]

I'm not entirely sure on how the state cup works, but surely it would be to our benefit to keep two sides to retain more of our U20's who aren't quite ready for FG yet?

Where do these guys train?

Are they under the watch of the WT coaching team.

What happens when an up an coming / Fringe WT player isn't with the top side, are hey out of the loop etc

So many questions???

If it was one team - wouldn't it all be more streamlined and provide a clearer path to FG…

 

[Geo]

Spartan117

Where do these guys train?

Wests train at Hillier Liverpool sometimes at Warick Farm..Balmain at Leichhardt

Are they under the watch of the WT coaching team.

No.

What happens when an up an coming / Fringe WT player isn't with the top side, are hey out of the loop etc

He plays for Wests or Balmain ATM

So many questions???

Such As..

If it was one team - wouldn't it all be more streamlined and provide a clearer path to FG…

Yes that's the theory..

 

[Gary_Bakerloo]

How would the merged entity in the state cup be funded? I am sure this structure has been put together.

Wests Ashfield pays for Western Suburbs and Balmain and Ryde Eastwood pays for B-RE team. Wests Ashfield does not provide any funding to Wests Tigers. The merging of the state cup team would produce cost savings and only one leagues club would have to provide funding. Is this an attempt to get the financial strength of Wests Ashfield directly involved with Wests Tigers or remove Ryde Eastwood from the equation?

 

[southerntiger]

I have stated since the beginning of the merger that common sense dictates a full merger of the club at levels.

Whilst I appreciate history and sentimentality, I for one hope that this goes through.

The article is a bit misleading because, presumably, Balmain would also cease to exist.

 

[Alf_Duguid]

Wests Balmain Ryde Eastwood Macarthur Tigerpies. What a team

 

[Balmain_Bug]

This is a sad day and is why Kevin HAMMOND resigned at the AGM. It will happen as some people on theWests board are pushing for one Reserve grade team but in a National competition. If there is no National reserve grade comp next year they will settle for one side in the state cup.

Balmain can't wait to have one side.

These people should hang their heads in shame.

 

[Yossarian]

I have stated since the beginning of the merger that common sense dictates a full merger of the club at levels.

Whilst I appreciate history and sentimentality, I for one hope that this goes through.

The article is a bit misleading because, presumably, Balmain would also cease to exist.

Are we talking SG Ball and the like as well?

 

[Spartan117]

1st - Thx Geo.. Always very knowledgeable.

2nd - BB - Who is Kevin HAMMOND ? Should I care that he has resigned?

3rd - Funding = 50 -50…

4th - For me (Former Balmain Supporter living in neither areas) A new company should be formed and swallow up all the clubs, businesses, assets etc (I am happy to organise this) and Wests and Balmain should be disbanded.

Its all about the New entity >> The future.

Imaging the powerhouse we could be...

 

[Knuckles]

I agree with this ….. should have happened from the start ..... better late than never.

 

[alien]

How would the merged entity in the state cup be funded? I am sure this structure has been put together.

Wests Ashfield pays for Western Suburbs and Balmain and Ryde Eastwood pays for B-RE team. Wests Ashfield does not provide any funding to Wests Tigers. The merging of the state cup team would produce cost savings and only one leagues club would have to provide funding. Is this an attempt to get the financial strength of Wests Ashfield directly involved with Wests Tigers or remove Ryde Eastwood from the equation?

Wests Tigers would have to fund it. Wests Ashfield wouldn't fund it by themselves otherwise the team would be called Wests Magpies. Balmain can't afford to help fund a Wests Tigers NSW Cup team. Ryde Eastwood Leagues Club funds their NSW Cup team now. Ryde Eastwood Leagues Club would maybe sponsor the Wests Tigers NSW Cup team and Wests Tigers might be in a good enough financial position to fund a Wests Tigers NSW Cup team but it is an extra cost they would now have. I can see both sides of the argument. One of the advantages in having Western Suburbs and Balmain Ryde Eastwood is it provides more room to fit players from the Under 20's side who will be too old for that comp next year. I think we should just leave it how it is.