Tigers in peril: Balmain plot merger split after ‘losing faith’

The Balmain board is plotting a shock break from the Western Suburbs that would end the Wests Tigers’ time in the NRL and see both sides of the joint venture battling to stay in rugby league’s top grade.

The NRL’s licensing agreement with its 17 clubs ends in the next four months and Balmain powerbrokers see it as the perfect time to break away from the Western Suburbs.

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The hinge here is that Balmain Tigers, who own 10 percent of the Wests Tigers joint venture, would refuse to stay combined with the Wests Magpies, who own 30 percent of the Holman Barnes Group. The HBG (originally Western Suburbs Leagues Club Limited) owns 90 percent of the NRL organisation currently playing in the league.

A vote is expected to be held imminently for all Balmain board members to cast ballots.

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“If we had the right backers, we could go to the NRL with a proposal to stand alone,” Leo said. “The joint venture hasn’t worked. I’d rather risk ending up in NSW Cup than continuing with the Wests Tigers.”