OK let's get something straight here in order to understand why MG would even say Bring back the Magpies.
Wests Tigers is a Joint Venture **NOT** a merger. People keep throwing it up as Western Suburbs and Balmain joined the two clubs together. This did not happen as **BOTH** clubs were struggling financially a JV was needed to stay alive. I don't care what you believe in who saved who as it's irrelevant, the bottom line is both needed to form a JV. Western Suburbs does continue to play in the junior grades (RMC). Balmain continues to play in HM and SG Ball. Next year, the Wests Tigers Board of Directors handed over all junior rep teams to Western Suburbs for 2015 season as Wests Ashfield continue to pay for the Balmain Junior rep sides and will end after this season. Balmain in case you haven't noticed is in a financial mess. If the two clubs did merge why would this happen? They are both still separate clubs but became partners as in Business partners in a JV which is Wests Tigers. Balmain have not contributed to the JV for quite some time now it has solely been Western Suburbs digging into their pockets. In the 15 years of the JV Western Suburbs have been able to recover financially while Balmain went further and further into debt.
As it's solely one club paying for a 50% share of the business it's common sense for them to just buy out the remaining 50% shares and become sole custody holder of Wests Tigers. Balmain Football Club will be finish come the time they go to court with the Rozelle developer looking for his money back. Balmain will cease to exist as a football club and leave sole heir Western Suburbs with the joint venture. As a club wouldn't you rather see your club name and colours being shown? I know if I invested that kind of money and been in the "business" since 1908 I think I would want my club heritage, history and colours back.
Wests Tigers is not a club it's a team very big difference as some Balmain die hards are trying to hold onto their clubs heritage, history and colours they simply do not have the right to deny Western Suburbs their rights. Wests Tigers Is not Balmain nor is it Wests it's a separate entity to the two clubs. If WSDRLFC wish to sell the team, then it is up to them, if they wish to bring back their history and colours it's up to them and the NRL to agree upon. There won't be a new team in the comp just one team being renamed.
Western Suburbs have never left they have always played under their club and colours the entire time. Balmain has had a good run with the help of Wests Ashfield but how long do you need to carry someone before you see that they are dead weight and never to improve?
I agree fully with MG that Western Suburbs should be back in the NRL 1st grade and if you don't think so then how bout we go 50/50 on a business together and I won't pay you a damn cent but I'll take my 50% of the profits without putting the money back in to the business. Seems fair you expect Western Suburbs to do so…...
Only problem is that the Magpies WON'T be brought back.
Wests Ashfield have been clear that in the event of Balmain's demise, Wests Tigers will a) continue to play at Leichhardt, b) Continue to be called the Tigers, and b) keep the same colours.
You see, they aren't stupid enough to sink 15 years worth of investment, marketing, goodwill, and brand recognition to bring back a team that will alienate 3/4 of the current supporter and corporate base.
The NRL has also confirmed that the NRL license belongs to the Wests Tigers, and not to the owners of the Wests Tigers (be is Balmain/Wests, or Wests alone).
Hope that clears everything up for you, and everyone else who is living in fantasy land about a return of the Magpies.