In a dramatic power play that has plunged the Wests Tigers into fresh turmoil, the club's majority owner has sensationally removed four independent members of its board. The Holman Barnes Group, which controls 90 per cent of the NRL joint venture, executed the stunning coup on Monday, seizing full control and leaving fans bewildered once more.
The Boardroom Purge and Its Immediate Fallout
The quartet of ousted directors includes former New South Wales Premier Barry O'Farrell, who was serving as chairman, alongside Annabelle Williams, Charlie Viola, and Michelle McDowell. The group had only been appointed to their positions in January, making their sudden removal a profound shock. The decision effectively dismantles the independent board structure that was intended to guide the club.
Holman Barnes has moved swiftly to install its own representatives, including the group's chief executive, Daniel Paton. Paton defended the radical shake-up, stating that while the independent model had worked in some areas, it had failed in others. He cited poor communication and claimed the Holman Barnes board had been "left in the dark on some commercially sensitive announcements."
A Clash of Identity: Jerseys, Stadiums and Shareholding
Among the specific grievances cited by the majority owner is the design of the club's recently released 2026 jersey. Sources indicate it was deemed "too orange" and therefore overly representative of the Balmain Tigers side of the merger, reigniting the perennial tension between the Western Suburbs Magpies and Balmain factions that formed the club in 1999.
Further points of contention included the club's long-term stadiums strategy and a push by the independent board to update the shareholding agreement. The Holman Barnes Group, which runs the Wests Ashfield Leagues Club, ultimately decided to reclaim direct control to ensure stability and unity.
"Our focus is stability, unity and success both on and off the field," read a statement from HBG. "Holman Barnes Group and the Wests Tigers share a deep commitment to the players, members, fans and communities."
What Next for the Embattled Tigers?
While head coach and club legend Benji Marshall is believed to be secure in his role, the future of CEO Shane Richardson appears less certain following the boardroom clear-out. The move underscores the deep-seated challenges facing a club that has struggled with its identity since the 1999 merger.
Despite a historic premiership in 2005, the Tigers have endured a prolonged period of failure, including three consecutive wooden spoons prior to a 13th-place finish in 2025. With a split home ground arrangement between Leichhardt Oval and Campbelltown Stadium, the quest for a second NRL title seems a distant prospect. This latest internal upheaval suggests the path to on-field success remains obstructed by off-field power struggles.
