Farcical Wests Tigers board drama takes shock twist as axed directors return
The NRL has intervened in the Wests Tigers boardroom drama, forcing majority owners Holman Barnes Group to reinstate a group of sacked directors just 10-days after they were sacked.
The ARL Commission demanded chairman Barry O’Farrell and other dumped Wests Tigers directors be immediately reinstated or the NRL would have considered appointing an administrator to run the embattled club.
Holman Barnes Group directors met on Thursday morning to discuss mounting pressure from the NRL that the directors return to the club just ten days after being dumped.
Well-placed sources insist the NRL – fed-up with the dysfunctional Concord club – strongarmed the Holman Barnes Group into recalling the directors.
The NRL’s tough intervention was a clear sign of their growing frustration at how the bumbling Wests Tigers were being governed.
“The HBG could have done it amicably or faced other options, including appointing an administrator,” the source said.
Aside from O’Farrell, independent directors Anabelle Williams and Michelle McDowell will be reinstated although it’s unlikely Charlie Viola will accept his return invitation.
There was no appetite for former chief executive Shane Richardson to be rehired.
A fifth HBG director will now be appointed with a stipulation that it be a woman.
It is understood O’Farrell and the other three directors are still waiting for a formal invitation to return.
The nine-member Wests Tigers board will comprise five from the Holman Barnes Group, three independents and one from Balmain.
Holman Barnes Group representatives had organised a meeting with Tigers legend Ben Elias about a board position, probably chairman, before the NRL stepped in.
A leading candidate to become Wests Tigers’ full-time chief executive, Tony Mestrov, wanted Elias to become Wests Tigers chairman.
The push for Elias ended when the NRL became involved and wanted O’Farrell back.
NRL management expressed concerns over Wests Tigers’ governance with ARLC chairman Peter V’landys meeting with sacked directors.
A worried V’landys had been in constant dialogue with HBG over the club’s political infighting.
“We discussed how they should move forward and that they would put the four directors back on with Barry as chairman,” V’landys said. “We also asked for one of the five Holman Barnes directors to be a woman.
“We didn’t want the Tigers or Wests Magpies to be diluted in any way. It is always going to be Balmain and Wests – that’s never going to change. They (HBG) gave us a firm undertaking that they wouldn’t dilute the two brands.”
On Thursday morning, close associates say O’Farrell hasn’t been approached to return by the Holman Barnes Group or NRL. That all changed just a few hours later.
O’Farrell wouldn’t return calls on Thursday night.
The four independent directors were only appointed a year ago via a recommendation from an extensive club review.
Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall continues to shield his playing group from the boardroom bickering. He has the backing of his players and is poised to accept a contract extension.
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Originally published as Farcical Wests Tigers board drama takes shock twist as axed directors return
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