Drop Tigers, bring back Wests Magpies, says rugby league great Mark Geyer

RUGBY league legend Mark Geyer has called for the Wests Tigers NRL club to drop “Tigers” from their name and to bring back the “Magpies”.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 04: Dejected Tigers players watch as Cameron Smith converts a try during the round 21 NRL match between the Wests Tigers and the Melbourne Storm at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on August 4, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Renee McKay/Getty Images)

RUGBY league legend Mark Geyer has called for the Wests Tigers NRL club to drop “Tigers” from their name and to bring back the “Magpies”.

The Balmain Tigers and Wests Magpies, both foundation clubs, merged in 1999 after members voted unanimously to unite to survive a cull of teams decided by the NRL following the Super League war.

But according to Geyer, who played for a season with Balmain, the time has come to sever all ties with the club.

Dejected Tigers players watch as Cameron Smith converts a try.

“It’s time the West Tigers became just Wests,” Geyer said onTriple M’s The Grill Team.

“Since they became one, West Magpies have been the poor brother of the Balmain Tigers and it’s high time it stopped.

“Demographically, western suburbs (has) the monopoly on the juniors, geographically they have a supporter base to yearn for, yet when it comes to catering for those fans, the four games they get this year in Campbelltown were the Cowboys, the Broncos, the Raiders and last night, the Storm.

Western Suburbs Magpies legends Noel Kelly and Tommy Raudonikis talk to the team.

“(On Monday) night the fans spoke with their feet, in an act I reckon of defiance and frustration.

“They’ve had enough. Since ‘99 when they merged, the Magpie of the joint venture has been virtually lost (except for the) inch-high magpie on the shoulder of their jersey. And what about the respective leagues clubs of this joint venture? One is thriving in Ashfield while the other is an eyesore on Victoria Road sitting like a vagrant.”

Tigers Keith Galloway celebrates his 150th NRL game.

The NRL is in the process of appointing three independent directors to a new-look seven-member board later this month.

This is said to include two Wests and two Balmain directors but the Balmain directors won’t have any voting rights until a $4 million loan is repaid to the NRL.

It’s been 15 years since the clubs joined forces, last tasting premiership success in 2005.

Originally published as Drop Tigers, bring back Wests Magpies, says rugby league great Mark Geyer