The Wests Tigers are facing a full-blown governance crisis, prompting calls for urgent intervention from the National Rugby League (NRL). Former stars Aaron Woods and Beau Ryan have joined fans in demanding immediate action as tensions rise over boardroom decisions by the club’s majority owners, the Holman-Barnes Group.
Inner West Council Mayor Darcy Byrne has organized a rally to “save Wests Tigers”, with the event scheduled for December 13. The planned march will see fans move from Pratten Park to Wests Ashfield, pressuring the Holman-Barnes Group to resign. Byrne has voiced frustration over the handling of the club’s affairs, highlighting that the timing of these issues could not be worse.
“This is clearly an act of self-sabotage, leading into Christmas,” Byrne said. “Just when we were starting to lift our performance on the field and financial performance as well, this is an act of self harm, and it is impossible to justify. We have this tiny group of people who have overseen 15 years of failure, three wooden spoons, an NRL club that was unprofitable. Their determination to go back to the future and turn the club back to that failure, I don’t think Wests Tigers fans are going to take that lying down.”
The turmoil comes amid the latest boardroom drama at the joint-venture club. The Holman-Barnes Group, which owns Wests Leagues Club at Ashfield and holds 66 percent of Wests Magpies—with the two entities together controlling 90 percent of the Wests Tigers—recently removed four independent directors from the Tigers board.
NRL officials were closely monitoring the situation on Wednesday. Tigers CEO Shane Richardson, a vocal supporter of independent representation on the board, is also reportedly weighing his future following the ousting of chairman Barry O’Farrell. The sudden upheaval has raised concerns among fans, players, and stakeholders alike.
The board changes have thrown into question the future of key players Jarome Luai and Jahream Bula, both of whom are free to negotiate with other clubs for the 2027 season and beyond. Richardson had previously expressed optimism to AAP about the club’s ability to retain these talents. He stated that the Tigers were confident about keeping Bula on a long-term deal, while Luai was expected to stay with the club. However, with Bula now off contract and Luai holding an option to explore the open market, that certainty has been disrupted.
The Holman-Barnes Group cited an external review when it initially appointed a Tigers board of four independents in January, alongside representatives from Balmain, Western Suburbs, and one of their own. The decision was aimed at improving governance and transparency within the club. Yet, in a sudden reversal, the group removed all four independent directors on Monday night, claiming they had been “left in the dark” regarding key commercial decisions. Among the contentious issues believed to have contributed to the decision is the planned introduction of a predominantly orange jersey for 2026, which has reportedly caused friction at the board level.
In response to the boardroom upheaval, seven separate Tigers fan groups have united to demand immediate NRL oversight. The groups called for an administrator to “immediately assume governance of the club”, warning that fans could “desert the club and game en masse if immediate change is not forthcoming.” Byrne echoed these concerns, urging both the NRL and Liquor and Gaming NSW to intervene, citing the ongoing challenges faced by the Holman-Barnes Group in managing their board responsibilities.
High-profile former Tigers players have added their voices to the growing chorus of concern. On Wednesday morning, both Beau Ryan and Aaron Woods publicly backed calls for NRL intervention. Ryan, speaking on Triple M, said, “The NRL can’t let it go on like this.” Woods expressed agreement, reinforcing the need for urgent action to protect the club’s interests.
V’Landys, ARLC chairman Peter V’Landys, has previously stated his commitment to protecting fans. Woods emphasized the immediate importance of such intervention, noting that it could prevent the club from losing crucial players. “V’landys has said he will always protect the fans. The fans need protecting right now. If the NRL can jump in and help out, it will save a lot of things. They won’t lose Luai or Bula. Because if they lose those players we are back at square one. They have to get this sorted before the Holman Barnes Group make it a lot worse.”
The situation underscores the fragile balance between on-field performance, financial stability, and governance. Only last season, the Tigers turned a profit and secured funding to establish Leichhardt and Campbelltown as their full-time home grounds. Such progress risks being overshadowed by current boardroom controversies, threatening both club culture and long-term planning.
As fans, former players, and council representatives mobilize, the Wests Tigers find themselves at a crossroads. The decisions made in the coming weeks could determine not just the club’s immediate fortunes but also its broader legacy in the NRL. With protests planned and influential voices calling for accountability, the Holman-Barnes Group faces mounting pressure to act decisively—or risk alienating the very supporters who have sustained the club through periods of both struggle and success.
The rally on December 13 promises to be a pivotal moment in this saga, with the broader rugby league community watching closely. For now, one thing is clear: the call to “save Wests Tigers” has never been louder.
