50-50 proposition: Ex-chair sees push to remove Balmain
Scott Bailey |
Former Wests Tigers chair Lee Hagipantelis claims he knows of a push to remove Balmain from the joint-venture club, after the board descended into further chaos.
Tigers chairman and ex-NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell was one of four independent directors sacked on Monday night by the NRL club’s majority owners, the Holman Barnes Group.
Questions now linger over CEO Shane Richardson’s future, despite the owners insisting the veteran administrator continued to have their support.
The Holman Barnes Group owns Wests Ashfield and have a majority share in the Western Suburbs Magpies.
They also own 90 per cent of the NRL club, and prior to Monday’s changes held two spots on the board alongside the four independent directors and one Balmain representative.
Hagipantelis himself was axed by the Holman Barnes Group at the end of 2023 and replaced by O’Farrell, in the previous round of dramas at the NRL club.
Speaking on Tuesday, he predicted there was a 50-50 chance the NRL club would operate as Western Suburbs rather than Wests Tigers by the start of 2028.
“It was admitted to me directly by a fella, who is now a director of the Wests Magpies, that the ultimate aim is to return the Magpies to the NRL,” Hagipantelis said on SEN.
“I know there were some quiet discussions not too long ago about extracting Balmain from the Wests Tigers and returning to the State Cup.
“The licence is in Wests Tigers’ name, so they would have to move on NRL headquarters to bring back the Magpies.
“It wouldn’t be easy to do. It’s maybe a 50-50 proposition.”
Hagipantelis claimed it was still not a happy partnership between Balmain and Western Suburbs, and Holman Barnes Group should not have a hands-on role.
“They should have no engagement in the running of a football club,” he said.
“They should confine themselves to the fishing club, or the sewing club or tennis club whatever that may be.
“They run leagues clubs very well. They do food and beverage and gaming very well. But the football club itself they struggle with, they really do.”
In a statement on Monday, Holman Barnes Group CEO Daniel Paton insisted Balmain’s role in the merger was not under threat.
He also claimed his group had made the call after being “left in the dark on commercially sensitive announcements”.
It’s understood frustration over the club’s 2026 jersey being predominantly orange played a role in the decision, along with a lack of say in the club’s stadia policy.
The Tigers will play at least seven games a year at Campbelltown from 2029 and four at Leichhardt, with Richardson telling AAP last week the club was putting its DNA over finances.
Paton insisted the move would have no bearing on the football department, but the drama comes with fullback Jahream Bula negotiating a new deal and Jarome Luai holding an option to look elsewhere.
“Balmain isn’t going anywhere,” Paton said.
“We are proud and committed supporters of Balmain and we have shown this through the funding of the Balmain football club and Balmain district juniors.
“Balmain are very much a part of this joint venture. They maintain their 10 per cent share and their seat on the Wests Tigers board.”
AAP
