15-Year suspension rocks Wests Tigers’ majority owners

The Wests Tigers are once again embroiled in off-field turmoil as three directors of the club’s majority owner, the Holman Barnes Group (HBG), have been handed bans totalling nearly 15 years following allegations of misconduct.

Rick Wayde, Tony Andreacchio, and David Gilbert, key figures behind a 2023 independent review aimed at reforming the embattled NRL club, were suspended on New Year’s Eve after a disciplinary committee investigation into alleged behavioural issues.

The bans have sparked outrage among fans and officials, with Inner West Council Mayor Darcy Byrne calling for the New South Wales government to step in and address what he described as a “bizarre” and “undemocratic” governance crisis.

“Loyal and long-suffering fans deserve better than this,” Byrne said.

“Petty and short-sighted governance has held this club back for far too long.”

Byrne added that the bans risk undermining the rugby league team’s long-awaited recovery on the field, scheduled to begin in 2025 under coach Benji Marshall.

The banned directors were instrumental in commissioning the Barnier-Crawford review, which led to significant changes in the NRL club’s leadership, including the removal of CEO Justin Pascoe and chairman Lee Hagipantelis.

However, their efforts to implement further reforms have been met with resistance within the HBG, culminating in their exclusion.

Andreacchio, banned for six years, denounced the process as “a sham from the word go,” while Wayde, banned for eight years, described the penalties as “ridiculous” and claimed the outcome was preordained. Gilbert, facing a six-month ban, said the trio had been “stitched up.”

The disciplinary findings included allegations of intimidation, verbal abuse, and coercive behaviour during board meetings.

Andreacchio was accused of shouting expletives at a fellow director, while Wayde allegedly made threatening remarks.

The internal power struggle has also fueled speculation about the potential dissolution of the joint venture between Balmain and the Wests Magpies, with leaked messages suggesting a push to replace the Tigers’ branding with the Magpies.

These claims were denied by HBG Chair Julie Romero, who reaffirmed the group’s commitment to the Wests Tigers, stating, “Reports suggesting anything other than our total commitment to the club are disappointing.”

Fans, frustrated by years of underperformance and governance issues, have begun circulating a petition demanding greater accountability and transparency from the HBG.

Byrne echoed these calls, describing the current governance system as improper and unjustifiable.

“The fans want change, and that is what’s needed for the Wests Tigers to survive and thrive,” he said.

Despite the off-field chaos, the Tigers’ new leadership under Barry O’Farrell and Shane Richardson has shown promise.

However, Wayde expressed concerns that ongoing interference could jeopardise the club’s progress.

“The tragedy is that the club is in great shape through the work of the CEO and the executive team, but the remaining directors are focused on self-interest,” Wayde said.

As the Tigers prepare for the 2025 season with a roster bolstered by high-profile recruits such as Jarome Luai and Jack Bird, the lingering boardroom drama threatens to derail the club’s efforts to end its decade-long finals drought, which is currently paying $41 with the top NRL bookmakers to win the Premiership.

Fans and stakeholders alike are calling for the focus to return to football, but whether this will be achieved remains uncertain as the governance crisis deepens.

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