Things are fast getting out of control at Concord, even by the famously volatile standards of Wests Tigers.
Following Monday’s dramatic boardroom blood-letting that saw former NSW premier Barry O’Farrell and his three fellow independent directors removed by the club’s majority owners, the Holman Barnes Group, the joint venture club sits on the brink of all-out civil war.
There are reports club CEO Shane Richardson is on the verge of resigning in protest.
ARLC boss Peter V’landys has already indicated the NRL is looking into the latest developments on behalf of disgruntled fans who have called for an urgent intervention.
Now Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne—never a man to miss an opportunity to spruik the Tigers—has convened a public rally at Pratten Park in Ashfield on Saturday 13 December, before a march to nearby Wests Ashfield Leagues Club where furious fans will demand the resignation of the board of the Leagues Club, essentially the Holman Barnes Group itself.
A large crowd is almost guaranteed.
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“It’s as clear as day that allowing the Holman Barnes Group to eliminate independent directors from the Wests Tigers board could mean the death of our famous rugby league club,” Byrne said in a press release to announce the rally.
“The fact that the same people who oversaw fifteen years of failure, and three wooden spoons, have now launched a coup to take back total control over Wests Tigers makes clear how dire the situation is.
“At this rally, fans and members will call on Peter V’landys and the NRL, as well as Liquor and Gaming NSW, to intervene and fix the shambolic governance of Wests Tigers once and for all.
“It’s time for Wests Tigers fans and Wests Ashfield Leagues Club members to stand up and save our football team before it’s too late.”
Regrettably, this all comes at time when Benji Marshall, Shane Richardson and the Tigers playing group appeared to be finally heading in the right direction after years of dysfunction on and off the field.
Now the club’s front office is imploding around them, once again.
‘Get these old sh*t stains out of here’
Where this leaves the Tigers in 2026 is anyone’s guess right now, but one thing that’s certain is long-suffering fans have had a gutful and even opposing fans are feeling sorry for them this time.
“Can’t believe we as fans have to go through all sh*t. Get these old sh*t stains out of here and let us love a unified Wests Tigers for once,” posted one disillusioned Tigers fan on X.
“If Richo goes, I’m done. If they become the Magpies, I’m done,” replied another.
“Finally things tracking in the right direction and some old Magpie dinosaurs want to blow the club up. I'm disheartened beyond measure,” lamented another.
— Rob Bechara (@BecharaRob) December 2, 2025