Benny Elias and Garry Jack respond after 'disrespectful' axing of Wests Tigers board
The Wests Tigers stunned the league world on Tuesday after announcing the removal of their entire board.
Rugby League greats Benny Elias and Garry Jack are hailing the boardroom bloodbath at the Wests Tigers as a great day for the NRL strugglers. The joint-venture club sent shockwaves around the sport on Tuesday after removing their entire board including under-fire CEO Justin Pascoe and chairman, Lee Hagipantelis.
Pascoe resigned from his role following a review into the club's culture and governance ordered by the board's controlling faction and major shareholder, the the Holman Barnes Group. Hagipantelis, along with the rest of the seven-person board were all dismissed on Tuesday, with former NSW premier Barry O'Farrell acting as interim chair and former South Sydney Rabbitohs boss Shane Richardson taking over as interim CEO.
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Hagipantelis' firm, Brydens Lawyers, are the major sponsors of the Wests Tigers, although it's not clear whether they'll renew their deal beyond its expiration next year. The board upheaval comes after more than a decade of suffering for Tigers fans, with the team not qualifying for the NRL finals since 2011.
Under the former CEO and chairman, the Tigers have also claimed two consecutive wooden spoons after finishing last on the NRL ladder for two years straight. Fans vented their frustration with the leadership at the club last season, with banners reading "End the Pascoe Fiasco" unfurled at their final game of the season in reference to the former CEO.
Lee Hagipantelis slams 'disgraceful' treatment of board
While many fans and former players are hailing the development at the club, Hagipantelis labelled it "disgraceful", claiming he and the former Wests Tigers board had been treated with "gross disrespect". “We were never paid the respect of being involved or consulted as to the review. Even to this day, we have never been engaged or informed as to the results of the review or the recommendations. Now it appears unlikely that we will ever see the report," he told the Sydney Morning Herald.
“I think the process was disgraceful. The entire thing was a knee-jerk reaction to a petition signed by 2000 disgruntled fans after the Wests Tigers lost 72-0 to the Cowboys. It’s perfectly understandable that our fans would vent their displeasure, but for some reason the Holman Barnes Group embarked upon a review feeling compelled to do so."
Hagipantelis claims after the findings of the review were leaked, the Holman Barnes Group were under pressure to dismiss the entire Wests Tigers board, before anyone could respond. “Hence there were panic calls today to get approval to adopt the review and then to dismiss the board and lean on Justin," he told the Daily Telegraph. It is just the manner in which the people conduct themselves. Not necessarily the outcomes. If this outcome is in the best interests of the club, well so be it.”
Wests Tigers greats hail board upheaval
Balmain Tigers greats Elias and Jack echoed the views of many fans, however, by hailing the board upheaval as a great day for the club and its long-suffering fans. “It’s fantastic, great news for the club. They’ve had the courage to make a massive decision which is the club’s greatest step forward in the past decade,” Elias told Fox Sports.
The Tigers legend was one of those consulted for the review into the club and says the outcome is exactly what he'd hoped for. “It’s almost spot on (to what I recommended), I’m very pleased," Elias added. "There needed to be change at the top, that’s exactly what they needed and they’ve done it, it’s great. They’ve listened to the review. I’m very excited. “It’s the best news I’ve heard out of the Wests Tigers in a long, long time. Thank god.”
Legendary former Balmain fullback Jack said he couldn't believe it had taken so long for a change of leadership at the club. "I didn't think it would happen, the review by the Holman Barnes Group has been coming to this ... I can't believe it's happened, I think it's a really positive day for the Tigers," he told 2GB Radio.
" I think Barry O'Farrell will be an excellent chairman. To be honest, the guys that have been there, (Justin) Pascoe, (Lee) Hagipantelis, the board, have overseen two wooden spoons for the Tigers. Who keeps their job if you get two wooden spoons? Coaches go, players go, but they're in their ivory towers , they've been there for 10 years and stayed on. It's about time they're accountable for their actions."
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