As I’ve said before, I appreciate greatly what Eddie, Steve and Garry brought to the WTP over the years. Beyond that, I genuinely thought we were friends and enjoyed our interactions both on and off the pod.
The lay of the land changed late last season (rather surprisingly to me) with decisions made and attitudes taken that I couldn’t support.
Again, I wish them all happiness and success and appreciate what was.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers since 2018!
I’m also torn about what to do next. Part of me doesn’t want to “reward” the new pod by listening. But I can’t pretend the original feed doesn’t feel like it’s missing some key input and insight. That entertaining tension and balance is hard to replicate overnight.
Curious how others are feeling…
The feeling that you dont want to "reward" the new pod seems to be built on an assumption that Garry, Steve & Eddie have done something wrong or been disloyal. I dont think that that has been the case.
There are 4 people that know the truth, and three of them made a choice.
WTP was a key part of the proposed Wests Tigers TV, Joel even hosted an episode of the Collab Pod from Micdup Studios.
Even after Joel decided not to be a part of WTTV Steve and I were still fully committed to continuing with WTP. Steve actually knocked back being involved with Claws Out/ WT TV to stay solely with WTP as he wanted to stand by Joel. That's why Steve wasn't on Claws Out towards the end of last season. I was keen to split my time between both because I love what we built here.
Joel made the decision that he didn't want us involved anymore and that is his right to do so as he had final say on everything related to WTP. This wasn't communicated to us at any point and we found out via posts here. He actually told us he was folding the pod.
There are no hard feelings on my part and I still strongly believe that WTP should be involved in WTTV but that is and always was Joel decision.
None of this should be that difficult, it's fan made pods done for fun.
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
I’ve been sitting on this for a few days trying to work out how I actually feel about the podcast split.
To be honest, I’m disappointed.
Part of what made this pod great wasn’t just the analysis, it was the dynamic. It was chemistry that only comes from years of riding the rollercoaster together. We’ve all lived through the mess of the last decade at the club and the podcast crew did too. The humour, the frustration, the long running jokes, it felt forged in the same fire as the fanbase.
So to see it fracture like this feels…familiar. And not in a good way.
I understand that people move on. Life changes, commitments shift, people will move on. That’s footy and that’s life. But this doesn’t feel like a natural evolution. It feels like a rift. And as Tigers fans, we’ve probably had enough of internal rifts to last a lifetime.
I’m also torn about what to do next. Part of me doesn’t want to “reward” the new pod by listening. But I can’t pretend the original feed doesn’t feel like it’s missing some key input and insight. That entertaining tension and balance is hard to replicate overnight.
What makes it harder for me personally is that I’m in Brisbane. There’s no Tigers pub culture up here where I can get into some old school face-to-face debate during and after a game. The pod and this forum have kind of filled that gap for years. It’s been my Tigers community from afar.
Right now the whole situation leaves a bit of a sour taste similar to the Holman Barnes thing. I hate that something that was a small weekly escape for me now feels tangled up in drama.
Maybe it’ll settle and I’ll harden up a bit and get over it. Two pods are better than one I guess. But for the time being I’m going to take a break and aim my couch coaching and seyfarth slurs at my wife and kids instead.
Curious how others are feeling…
No drama on my part mate, I speak to the majority of the guys on WTP regularly. I have been friends with Jordan for 15 years and get on well Josh and Zac as well. They have been strong additions to the pod.
I've enjoyed the WTP pods so far this year.
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
It’s kind of like the Beatles at the end - I’ll always care about you guys, I just don’t want to make music with you anymore 😂
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers since 2018!
Fair points all round. Sorry if I missed some earlier feed about this and am drudging up muck. This is only a recent relevation to me.
Good luck to everyones endeavours. As you say @lorenzo, the more tigers content the better. My resilience must be at an all time low as the news rocked me a little and so I will take a break from posting for a bit. I’m sure I’ll come crawling back once the season starts to get my Tigers fix. In my 700+ posts I’ve never posted a “1 word” before, but channeling my inner Steve and his trait of taking liberties with word counts, I’ll leave you with how I’m feeling: “benignly-bereft”.
Im right behind the relative newbies in this podcast. I always liked Declan, and Nick is pretty funny, just feels the pain like most of us when we lose.
keep it going. I’m not sure what happened, but I could probably take a guess. I’ll keep it to myself, no use speculating.
One thing I will say is it would have at least been nice on this podcast and the other one to at least address there’s an issue and just say your all heading in different directions instead of just saying nothing. I think that’s silly, people here have been following a long time…. Unless something was said and I missed it.
Im right behind the relative newbies in this podcast. I always liked Declan, and Nick is pretty funny, just feels the pain like most of us when we lose.
keep it going. I’m not sure what happened, but I could probably take a guess. I’ll keep it to myself, no use speculating.
One thing I will say is it would have at least been nice on this podcast and the other one to at least address there’s an issue and just say your all heading in different directions instead of just saying nothing. I think that’s silly, people here have been following a long time…. Unless something was said and I missed it.
100%
Im right behind the relative newbies in this podcast. I always liked Declan, and Nick is pretty funny, just feels the pain like most of us when we lose.
keep it going. I’m not sure what happened, but I could probably take a guess. I’ll keep it to myself, no use speculating.
One thing I will say is it would have at least been nice on this podcast and the other one to at least address there’s an issue and just say your all heading in different directions instead of just saying nothing. I think that’s silly, people here have been following a long time…. Unless something was said and I missed it.
Basically we tried the collab pods last year as a trial towards Wests Tigers TV, the aim was to have the separate pods all released on the Wests Tigers TV channel. The preference was to have Wests Tigers Podcast, Wests Tigers Life and Claws Out all on the same channel, with scheduled releases so that there would be a show most nights of the week.
After the trial Joel decided that he didn't want WTP involved. It is as simple as that.
I still visit here everyday and have only stopped posting as I didn't want to step on any toes.
I miss being involved with WTP but that is out of my hands.
No reason for there to be any animosity, people should engage with the content that they enjoy.
As I said, I have still listened to every WTP pod this year.
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
Is Eddie Otto contributing to Wests Tigers TV? He was my favourite analyst and I will listen to whatever podcast he does.
@skippa13 thanks for articulating what I have largely been feeling. It felt very much like a family bust-up.
Hopefully the new pod iterations and new voices will find the same familiar, comfortable, but worthy discussions that the WTP used to have. I'm still getting used to it all, but I am glad they are continuing.
And thanks @garry for shedding some light on the situation, it would have been nice to get some insight sooner but 'better late than never'. There is no way any of us forumers would think you're treading on toes by posting here!
Mostly I hope everyone can get on (time can heal a lot), and that the various podcasts all find success.
I attended the Wests Tigers protest at Prattern Park. Loved it.
There was a lot of bluster from Darcey Burnes that if HolmanBarnes didn't sell or put in an independant board that a followup protest would happen I think during the trials??? and a new group. Was in WestsTigers Unite or something else, I don't remember was being formed for fans to have a voice.
I haven't heard boo.
I'm kind of happy cause I don't want our season thrown off by outside noise, since it looks like from the outside the club has calmed down.... for now.
Just wondering what happened to all the big talk.
Hello mate - yes there is a Wests Tigers Unite group (or at least an email distribution list!). I got the one and only email from Darcy on Feb 18;I attended the Wests Tigers protest at Prattern Park. Loved it.
There was a lot of bluster from Darcey Burnes that if HolmanBarnes didn't sell or put in an independant board that a followup protest would happen I think during the trials??? and a new group. Was in WestsTigers Unite or something else, I don't remember was being formed for fans to have a voice.
I haven't heard boo.
I'm kind of happy cause I don't want our season thrown off by outside noise, since it looks like from the outside the club has calmed down.... for now.
Just wondering what happened to all the big talk.
Dear friends,
Thank you for participating in our rally to Save Wests Tigers last December and for registering your interest in being involved in the ongoing campaign to improve the governance of our Club.
With the Wests Tigers’ first home trial game at Leichhardt Oval this Friday, I am writing to update you on the campaign.
Firstly, with the season about to get underway, we are all excited and passionate about the potential for renewed success on the field for our team this year.
It’s vital that we all get behind Benji Marshall, the players, and the staff at Wests Tigers to make sure the success we have wanted for so long is delivered in 2026.
As we all said at the rally, Wests Tigers belongs to the members and fans who support the Club and they need our commitment and support more than ever this year.
Since the rally, we have been monitoring the governance arrangements put in place by the Holman Barnes Group for this season.
Preparations are being made for how our new fan-led campaign, Wests Tigers Unite, can play a positive role in engaging supporters and ensuring accountability in how Wests Tigers is being run.
The new interim CEO, Shaun Mielekamp, has made a concerted effort over summer to meet face-to-face with fans and members to hear their frustrations.
Fans are united in our determination that Shane Richardson’s good work in turning our Club around will continue and not be abandoned.
We all want Shaun and his team at Wests Tigers to do well and they need our support to make that happen.
After the show of strength from fans at the rally in December, we are working on a plan for how we can ensure the governance of Wests Tigers is accountable to members and supporters in 2026.
We will update you about the next steps in the Wests Tigers Unite campaign in the near future.
I look forward to seeing you at Friday night’s trial at Leichhardt Oval when the Wests Tigers will take on the Panthers.
Yours sincerely,
Darcy Byrne
Inner West Mayor
@earlwood-tiger He has always been my favourite as well. Pretty sure he will be back on WT TV in the next week or so, @garry can confirm
@nick_hayzee Thanks for that.
Interesting. It looks like WTU (WestsTigersUnite) don't want to rock the boat for now.
Looks like same old continue along until the next HBG screwup. Hopefully they feel slightly more accountable having WTU up their ass.
But I wouldn't hold my breath.
Lets all hope for some on field success and some clear air.. for at least 1 season.
