Billionaire developer Harry Triguboff won’t outlay $5.4m to keep Balmain Tigers alive

BILLIONAIRE developer Harry Triguboff wants to help Wests Tigers win a premiership — but won’t outlay $5.4m to keep Balmain Tigers alive.

Harry Triguboff in the foyer of the Meriton Apartments in Sydney. They have increased their luggage space due to increases in luggage. Left to right. Servio Guimaraes and Harry Triguboff.

BILLIONAIRE developer Harry Triguboff wants to help Wests Tigers win a premiership — but won’t outlay $5.4m to keep Balmain Tigers alive.

The Daily Telegraph spoke with Triguboff about the possibility he would buy a half-share in Wests Tigers to keep the Balmain identity and logo alive.

Balmain borrowed the massive amount from the NRL two years ago.

Harry Triguboff will help Balmain tigers — but he won’t save them.

The Daily Telegraph revealed the Balmain faction had two weeks to find $5.4 million or hand over the full NRL licence to joint venture partner, Western Suburbs.

Triguboff is a lifetime Balmain fan — but will only outlay money to help his club attract players to Concord.

“I spoke with them,” said Triguboff, founder and managing director of Meriton Apartments. “They wanted money to buy four good players and I told them I would help.

“I told them if I did then I wanted someone from Balmain on the board. At the moment there is no one from Balmain on the board. I told the NRL I have put more money into Wests Tigers than they ever had.

“Now might be the last chance. I don’t want my name on their shirts. I only want to help buy the players they want. If they tell me they are good players, then they are good players.

“Then we can win a comp. That is what I am interested in. They came to see me with (Aaron) Woods, he is a nice person.”

The Wests Tigers board’s days appeared numbered.

Asked how much the club was seeking, Triguboff said: “I can’t remember — $500,00, $600,000.”

Triguboff reiterated though he would not find the necessary $5.4 million.

“I’m not interested,” he said. “What can I do? I have been there for many years. That has nothing to do with me. People drift apart.”

Wests Tigers have started the season in stellar form, securing big wins over New Zealand and the Sea Eagles. The Leichhardt Oval crowd was in raptures on Monday night during the big win over rivals Manly.

“The boys are playing well, thank God,” Triguboff said. “They are very talented. I think the general manager (Justin Pascoe) is quite a good fellow. He is OK, I am very pleased.”

The Tigers had hoped billionaire fan Harry Triguboff would save the joint venture.

Meanwhile Balmain Leagues Club yesterday reaffirmed its support for a development application for Rozelle Village, site of the old Balmain Leagues Club. Balmain Tigers chairman Leslie Glen claimed approval of this application was vital to the hopes of survival for Balmain Leagues Club and Balmain Tigers.

“Without the support of Rozelle Village and its sole director, Ian Wright, the Balmain Leagues Club would not have survived up to this point,” Mr Glen said. “We are genuinely grateful for their continued support.

“This DA includes a fantastic facility for our club and gives our members and the community the home they deserve. It is vitally important to the future of our club and our presence in our local community that this application is approved and we can return to Rozelle.”

Originally published as Billionaire developer Harry Triguboff won’t outlay $5.4m to keep Balmain Tigers alive