Saint, Sinner, Shoosh: Board dispute between Wests Tigers owners Holman Barnes Group continues

A former NRL referee has joined Newcastle as the club’s head of football operations, while the dispute between the two warring factions of the Wests Tigers owners shows no signs of letting up. That and more in Saint, Sinner, Shoosh.

Newcastle have secured ex-NRL referee Chris James from the Roosters to head up the club’s football operations.

James had been with the Roosters since 2019 in a football operations position having spent 10-years as an NRL match official. He will work closely alongside Newcastle’s head of football Peter Parr at the Knights.

Former NRL referee Chris James will join the Newcastle Knights head of football operations. Picture: NRL Imagery

WARRING WESTS TIGERS

The dispute between the two warring factions of the owners of the Wests Tigers shows no signs of letting up with one of the vanquished trio hitting back at his former fellow board members.

The Holman Barnes Group (HBG) put out a three-page statement detailing the reasons why board members Rick Wayde was banned for eight years, Tony Andreacchio (six) and David Gilbert (six months). That followed a heavy handed 15-point statement which used the word “FACT” at the start of each point.

The dispute between the board members of Wests Tigers owners, the Holman Barnes Group, continues.

“The only real facts to bear in mind, despite the welter of misleading information in the recent unsigned releases from HBG, is that the Holman Barnes licensed clubs are indeed doing remarkably well,” Wayde said.

Two of the three banned board members, Tony Andreacchio (back) and Rick Wayde (front).

“The fact is that the unconstitutional act of the ‘Gang of Four’ directors is designed to eliminate Dave Gilbert from the debentures election and to leave the 27,000 HBG members without any representation at board level.

“Darcy Byrne, Mayor of Inner West Council, got it right when he called for “government intervention” to ensure that one of the community’s greatest assets re-establishes stability and resumes its proper course.”

The trio are continuing to explore their legal options.

Knights star Kalyn Ponga with fan Dylan Moon.

SAINT

Dylan Moon, a Newcastle fan who has cerebral palsy, is climbing Mount Kosciuszko on February 8 and he will do so wearing his Knights gear. Kalyn Ponga gave the 12-year-old some words of encouragement and presented him with a signed pair of footy boots as part of Moon’s preparation for the trek.

SINNER

You might not have heard of Lamonte Turner and that’s for good reason. His stint as a Sydney King lasted just days before he had his contract ripped up for failing a physical before he even stepped on the court.

SHOOSH

Which former soccer superstar was involved in a bit of a road rage incident that surprised witnesses?

SHOOSH II

Which club almost laughed off the asking price of an off-contract star? They are keen. But not that keen.

SPOTTED

Plenty of rugby league types were on hand to watch Jai Opetaia’s damaging win on the Gold Coast. The likes of Sonny Bill Williams, Mat Rogers, Anthony Mundine, Jayden Campbell and Scott Sattler were in the crowd. So too UFC great Alexander Volkanovski.

SPOTTED II

Bradman Best seems to attract headlines whenever he goes to Bali. This time he rocked some eye-catching jewellery while on holidays with girlfriend Kayla Fenech, daughter of boxing legend Jeff.

Bradman Best rocking some eye-catching jewellery in Bali with his partner Kayla.

SPOTTED III

There’s two types of “training the house down” pre-season images that excite fans: stars who are looking absolutely ripped and stars who have shed excess kilos. Canberra’s Corey Horsburgh and South Sydney’s Latrell Mitchell have gone the second option and appear ready to hit the ground running in 2025.

Latrell Mitchell looking lean and mean ahead of the 2025 season.

As is Raiders forward Corey Horsburgh.

SPOTTED IV

Michael Jennings cooling off at a packed Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre with his two kids.

SPOTTED V

Jordan Mailata may be a $100 million NFL superstar, but when it comes to his downtime he’s just like the rest of us: never happier than when he’s cheering on his local side. The former South Sydney junior was spotted at a Philadelphia Flyers NHL match on Wednesday pounding the glass after a goal. He’ll spend Monday pounding the defenders during the Eagles’ wildcard match against Green Bay.

Philadelphia Eagles star Jordan Mailata cheering on the Philadelphia Flyers.

AWKWARD ORIGIN SHOWDOWN AVOIDED

Origin coaches Laurie Daley and Billy Slater have been spared an awkward encounter despite the rivals being part of Melbourne’s pre-season camp in Geelong come Monday. Slater and Daley will assist the Storm at their annual two-week camp but they won’t be at training at the same time. Slater and Daley will come face-to-face for the first time as Origin coaches later this year. Daley has brought Storm coach Craig Bellamy on board to assist with his NSW preparations and part of that includes spending time with Bellamy as he coaches the Storm.

CHOOKS STAR SET TO EXTEND STAY

The Roosters are set to extend the deal of injured forward Egan Butcher with the 24-year-old on the comeback from a season-ending knee injury.

It is understood the parties are close to a new two-year deal with Butcher’s contract expiring at the end of this year.

Butcher ruptured his ACL last May. The Roosters are hopeful he will be right to play the Broncos in round one. Butcher has played 56 games since making his debut in 2021.

The Sydney Roosters are expected to hand Egan Butcher a two-year contract extension. Picture: NRL Imagery

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CEO … NSW RUGBY LEAGUE BOSS DAVE TRODDEN

First job? Unloading trucks in the delivery dock at Target Leichhardt. I didn’t last long. I then paid my way through university getting up at 4am every day and delivering the morning papers in a Mini Moke to homes in Drummoyne for the local newsagent. I once had a letter to the editor written about me after I smashed the front window in someone’s house two mornings in a row.

Greatest personal sporting achievement? Had some nice moments captaining junior and school cricket teams but if I was any good, I would have been a sportsman, not an administrator. As an administrator, being involved with Wests Tigers in 2005 was special.

Get to know your CEO – NSW Rugby League boss Dave Trodden.

Sporting team you supported as a kid? I come from a multi-generational Balmain family. I was always going to be a Tigers fan.

Who was your sporting hero? Anyone who grew up in Balmain when I did idolised Keith Barnes. I was too young to see him play but later on, I got to know him well and I served with him on the Balmain Tigers board. He was everything that you would want a sporting hero to be.

What did you want to be when you were younger? I wanted to open the batting for Australia, but lack of ability quickly got in the way. I was no Sam Konstas.

Most famous person in your phone? Dawn Fraser. I am privileged to call her a near lifelong friend.

What’s at the top of your 2025 wish list? The men’s State of Origin shield, the women’s State of Origin shield and continued participation growth in our great game.