I’ve been thinking again about the message of “reassurance” Peter V’landys gave on the weekend. basically, he stated that the NRL would “protect Wests Tigers members,” but it’s becoming clear that this protection simply means ensuring the Wests Tigers continue to exist as an entity — ie not reinstating the Magpies or Balmain, and certainly not addressing the deep-rooted governance failures that have plagued the club for years.
While the reassurance about our continued existence is appreciated, it does absolutely nothing to resolve the dysfunction at board level. Guaranteeing that the Wests Tigers will remain is meaningless if the club is allowed to keep operating under a broken, faction-driven governance model that continues to undermine stability, performance, and supporter trust.
The governance problem stems from the fact that the debenture-holder structure is effectively baked into the organisation. In practical terms, it can only be meaningfully reformed or revoked with the agreement of the existing debenture holders themselves — and I see no realistic prospect of them voluntarily relinquishing that control.
If the NRL is serious about protecting members — truly protecting them — then they must intervene and appoint an administrator. The club cannot fix itself under the current structure, and supporters are being asked to tolerate instability that no other professional team in the competition would be expected to endure.
Enough is enough. It’s time for the NRL to step in and reset the club properly.
SMH article says PVL has met with the sacked Directors. Could be the start of something more heavy duty.
I really hope so. If HBG can weather the next few weeks with nrl intervention they are home and free
There tends to be a hidden truth when relationships come to an end. If the HBG relationship with WT NRL comes to an end (most likely forcibly) there won't be any hidden truths - they are truly awful at their job.
@joel-helmes your recent unhelpful (IMO) comments in this HBG matter make me think about why others from the podcast chose to leave. A hidden truth perhaps?
Firstly, this isn’t communist China and I’m entitled to have a view on the people running our club.
Second, I’m also allowed to choose who I want to be friends with/who I want to work with on the pod.
Thanks.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers since 2018!
@joel hang in there Joel.
we all appreciate your efforts with you and the team on the podcast.
It seems mercy rule lives to constantly stir the pot with his posts. Something missing in their personal life that they’ve constantly got to come in the forum and try and write posts to cause trouble.
Something a troll would like to do perhaps?
There tends to be a hidden truth when relationships come to an end. If the HBG relationship with WT NRL comes to an end (most likely forcibly) there won't be any hidden truths - they are truly awful at their job.
@joel-helmes your recent unhelpful (IMO) comments in this HBG matter make me think about why others from the podcast chose to leave. A hidden truth perhaps?
Firstly, this isn’t communist China and I’m entitled to have a view on the people running our club.
Second, I’m also allowed to choose who I want to be friends with/who I want to work with on the pod.
Thanks.
There we go......you chose who you want to work with on the pod. A couple of weeks ago it was that they walked away.
The truth always comes out in the end.
@joel hang in there Joel.
we all appreciate your efforts with you and the team on the podcast.
I also greatly appreciated the efforts of Eddie (founder), Steve and Garry on the podcast and seemingly like Mercy, wonder why they were unceremoniously excommunicated
It seems mercy rule lives to constantly stir the pot with his posts. Something missing in their personal life that they’ve constantly got to come in the forum and try and write posts to cause trouble.
Something a troll would like to do perhaps?
So Joel is exercising his right to his opinion "because its not Communist China" but mercy is a troll.
Freedom for some but not for others?
Is anybody going to the march. I’m not hearing or seeing much about it. Was keen to go but not if there’s a few hundred, need thousands
I'm taking my son.
If you're in Sydney, a WT fan, and you are upset about what has happened in the past week then you must go.
At the end of the day, I have no concern about how many people ultimately turn up. I'll be able to look myself in the mirror and know that I personally tried to bring about change.
Another point - even if mainstream media don't cover it, social media will - that will be enough to put more pressure on HBG.
Is anybody going to the march. I’m not hearing or seeing much about it. Was keen to go but not if there’s a few hundred, need thousands
I'm taking my son.
If you're in Sydney, a WT fan, and you are upset about what has happened in the past week then you must go.
At the end of the day, I have no concern about how many people ultimately turn up. I'll be able to look myself in the mirror and know that I personally tried to bring about change.
Another point - even if mainstream media don't cover it, social media will - that will be enough to put more pressure on HBG.
And let's be honest since when has mainstream media NOT covered dramas at the Wests Tigers...
The medias point of view... They will all be there with bells on...
Either to get onto the WT supporters bandwagon with a great turn out or...
Turn on WT supporters as those who are fair weather fans...
I just hope it will be scenes to get anywhere close to the Souths rally to effect the change WT require.
There tends to be a hidden truth when relationships come to an end. If the HBG relationship with WT NRL comes to an end (most likely forcibly) there won't be any hidden truths - they are truly awful at their job.
@joel-helmes your recent unhelpful (IMO) comments in this HBG matter make me think about why others from the podcast chose to leave. A hidden truth perhaps?
Firstly, this isn’t communist China and I’m entitled to have a view on the people running our club.
Second, I’m also allowed to choose who I want to be friends with/who I want to work with on the pod.
Thanks.
There we go......you chose who you want to work with on the pod. A couple of weeks ago it was that they walked away.
The truth always comes out in the end.
And despite me clearly being the big bad wolf all the boys are still being seen and heard on other podcasts 🤷
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers since 2018!
I think we all know we the real bad guys are here. Let’s focus on that. HBGOUT
There tends to be a hidden truth when relationships come to an end. If the HBG relationship with WT NRL comes to an end (most likely forcibly) there won't be any hidden truths - they are truly awful at their job.
@joel-helmes your recent unhelpful (IMO) comments in this HBG matter make me think about why others from the podcast chose to leave. A hidden truth perhaps?
Firstly, this isn’t communist China and I’m entitled to have a view on the people running our club.
Second, I’m also allowed to choose who I want to be friends with/who I want to work with on the pod.
Thanks.
There we go......you chose who you want to work with on the pod. A couple of weeks ago it was that they walked away.
The truth always comes out in the end.
And despite me clearly being the big bad wolf all the boys are still being seen and heard on other podcasts 🤷
By more than ever
Is anybody going to the march. I’m not hearing or seeing much about it. Was keen to go but not if there’s a few hundred, need thousands
I'm taking my son.
If you're in Sydney, a WT fan, and you are upset about what has happened in the past week then you must go.
At the end of the day, I have no concern about how many people ultimately turn up. I'll be able to look myself in the mirror and know that I personally tried to bring about change.
Another point - even if mainstream media don't cover it, social media will - that will be enough to put more pressure on HBG.
My son and I are going as well
I actually think the absolute worst thing about this mis-management of the club is the fact that pockets of fans across all walks of life seems to be turning on each other a little which only serves HBG.
This adversity facing the club should be bringing all fans of Wests Tigers young and old together... and I really hope it does.
I myself am a regional supporter and unfortunately cannot make the rally.
But was thinking about my supporter journey through all this... I am in my mid-40s and I originated from the Balmain side.
What I came to note though is I have been a Wests Tigers fan for much longer period of time... 25 years of WT and only 15-17 of Balmain (can't remember what age I started).
And that 2005 win will stay with me for my entire life... I just hope we get the chance to see the Wests Tigers do it all over again someday... I think that would be even sweeter after this adversity.
The only solution is an owner non aligned with Balmain or wests. The franchise is part of a modern sporting conglomerate being the NRL. The NRL is happy for nostalgia (ie Bears making a comeback) but they want competent management of the clubs. Why are we even debating this, HBg is incapable of managing the NRL and refuses to remain a silent steward. It has absolutely no legitimacy to make decisions for the modern merged entity. It needs to be removed and replaced with owners and management that are only interested in the success of the WT.
The only solution is an owner non aligned with Balmain or wests. The franchise is part of a modern sporting conglomerate being the NRL. The NRL is happy for nostalgia (ie Bears making a comeback) but they want competent management of the clubs. Why are we even debating this, HBg is incapable of managing the NRL and refuses to remain a silent steward. It has absolutely no legitimacy to make decisions for the modern merged entity. It needs to be removed and replaced with owners and management that are only interested in the success of the WT.
I don't disagree, but the only way to move WT to a better quality steward is for HBG to become a willing seller. I can't see that happening as the franchisee gives HBG directors ego and gravitas (in their own tiny minds anyway), it remains financially strong enough to underwrite WT losses if they start again and its not like those debenture holders need to put their own money on the table.
This may be a minor or trivial point in a much bigger mess but I have found it interesting (to say the least) that those fans/members who have requested refunds from the club and cancellation of their 2026 memberships have been refused that request on the basis of "change of mind" not being an acceptable reason for refunds. On the other hand (or should I say with the other hand) HBG who agreed to and appointed 4 independent board members, have now sacked them and retaken control on the basis of "change of mind" and to them this is acceptable. Perhaps it is just indicative of how much the average punter is valued by this reprehensible management group and even further how much this great club of ours is valued by that same reprehensible management group.
