A director from the majority owner of the Wests Tigers has made a bombshell claim about the merger’s future, claiming an urge at boardroom level to restore the Western Suburbs Magpies to the NRL.
With the Magpies having merged with Balmain in 1999 to form a joint venture in the aftermath of the Super League wars, the partnership has not been without its fair share of friction over the last 25 years.
In a text message leaked to the Sydney Morning Herald, Tony Andreacchio, a former chairman of the Holman Barnes Group who is facing expulsion from the board over misconduct allegations, claims the ousting of himself and two other board members – Rick Wayde and David Gilbert, also under investigation over alleged misconduct – is part of a ploy to bring the Magpies back into existence at the Tigers’ expense.
“If the plan devised by these … individuals unfolds as expected later this week, our removal as directors will be finalised and our club membership will be banned indefinitely,” Andreacchio’s text reads, as reported by the SMH.
“Consequently, the HBG will fall under the control of a cabal of four, supported by an outdated debenture holder… their misguided ambition is to see the Western Suburbs Magpies replace the Wests Tigers in the NRL competition.”
Tigers officials have previously contacted NRL head honcho Peter V’landys with fears a clique within the board led by HBG director Dennis Burgess is planning to restore the Magpies.
Speaking to the SMH, Andreacchio refused to comment on the text message, but claimed Tigers fans should be ‘very worried’ about the future of their club.
“I’m not going to comment on a very private text message,” Andreacchio said.
“All I will say is that my only concern is the best interests of the Wests Tigers. Some on the board couldn’t cope with losing their blazers as part of the review.
“If I was a passionate Wests Tigers fan, of which I am, I would be very worried about the future of the merger.”
Andreacchio’s claim follows an August report that the Balmain side of the merger was keen on splitting with the Magpies and re-establishing themselves as a standalone NRL club.
Making things even more troublesome for Balmain is that they own a mere 10 per cent of the Wests Tigers, having lost 15 per cent to HBG in exchange for them paying their $3.2 million debt to the NRL.
HBG owns the other 90 per cent, with a third of that owned by the Magpies.
The Tigers are embroiled in a dark period for the club, having failed to make finals since 2011 and with three consecutive wooden spoons to their name.
