Balmain Rugby League club dismisses the Wiggles’ Anthony Field’s plan to return club to NRL

Balmain Tigers’ boss has told Wiggles legend Anthony Field he can toot, toot, chugga, chugga, pack up his idea to resurrect the club as an NRL team and drive off in his big red car.

The Balmain Tigers have dismissed Blue Wiggle Anthony Field’s dream of returning the club the NRL as a single entity as “fanciful and unrealistic”.

Field, the founder of iconic children’s entertainment group the Wiggles, created a whirlwind of discussion this week when he revealed he one day wanted to buy into the Wests Tigers in a move that would de-merge the joint venture.

Field said if the Wiggles, who are valued at a minimum of $50 million, were ever sold for a “ridiculous” amount of money, he would “definitely” try to buy the 10 per cent stake Balmain holds in the joint venture.

He would then approach Wests Magpies, who hold a 90 per cent share in the club, with a plan for them to go it alone and play out of Campbelltown and potentially Perth.

Blue Wiggle, Anthony Field, wants Balmain back in the NRL. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“I would do it in a very respectful way with Wests by trying to convince them that Western Australia would be good for the Wests Magpies — and Campbelltown — and the ‘Tiges’ would come back to Leichhardt,” Field said.

But Balmain have rejected the idea, issuing a statement through the Wests Tigers on Friday night, reiterating their commitment to the joint venture.

“Balmain Tigers Rugby League wishes to reaffirm its steadfast support of Wests Tigers, and the club’s majority owner, Wests Magpies Pty Limited,” a statement attributed to Balmain chairman, Dr Leslie Glen said.

“Balmain Tigers Rugby League remains one hundred per cent committed to its investment in Wests Tigers, and to the future of the joint venture club.

“Recent comments by children’s entertainer and long-time fan Anthony Field are fanciful and unrealistic.

“Balmain Tigers will be making no further comment on this matter.”

Balmain’s stance is at odds with two of its greatest players, Ben Elias and Steve Roach, who this week through their support behind Field’s plan.

“I have told Anthony that I would back him 100 per cent if he bought Balmain back,” Elias said.

Balmain greats Garry Jack, Steve Roach, Benny Elias and Paul Sironen. Picture: Jonathan Ng

While 185-game Balmain icon Roach said: “I’d love it to happen – I’m on board – anything you want me to do.

“We’re nomads at the moment. We have no identity, we’re living nowhere. We’ve got four, five different home grounds.

“I’m not saying I’d like Wests out of it. Wests deserve to be in the comp too – they have been good to us. I’d just love them both (clubs) to get back their identities.”

Field, a lifelong Balmain and Wests Tigers fan, has a personal worth believed to be around $20 million. Insiders claim that is what the joint venture is valued at, although the Balmain portion would be significantly less.

“Rugby league is a tribal sport and the world would be a better place if Balmain came back,” Field said.

Originally published as Balmain Rugby League club dismisses the Wiggles’ Anthony Field’s plan to return club to NRL