Former Wests Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis says the players are more loyal to Benji Marshall than the club and the controversial board’s issues stemmed from the conduct of former chief executive Shane Richardson.
Amid reports sacked chairman Barry O’Farrell is on the verge of a stunning return just nine days after he and three other independent directors were shown the door, it’s now understood the club has tabled a new four-year extension to Marshall.
The contract, if agreed upon, will keep the club legend at Concord until 2029.
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Since the bloodletting on the board, there were also rumours that coach Marshall could also be on the way out – but it appears the club and his management are deep in talks.
That move was sparked by reports that several Tigers stars threatened to leave unless the 2005 premiership winner is the head coach.
Benji Marshall Getty
Hagipantelis, who was ousted from the board in late 2023, said the situation is “very disappointing, but not unexpected” and that Richardson’s removal could pave a new path of sorts for the embattled joint-venture club.
“It’s an interesting suggestion that they were kept out of the loop when they had two representatives on the board,” he told 2GB’s Wide World Of Sports Radio.
“Now assuming that to be correct and all these matters were run through the board, you would have expected those representatives to report back.
“I suspect that their complaint was more directed towards the CEO who was not reporting back to the board about a lot of the decisions that were being made.
“I think that’s where their complaint largely rested and with the departure of Shane Richardson, that probably bears that out.”
Former Wests Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis. Jeremy Ng/Getty Images
A Sydney Morning Herald report states the club is looking at appointing Shaun Mielekamp as interim chief executive, who was formerly general manager of football.
Yet no matter what moves the club makes in the front office, Hagipantelis is adamant the most important piece of the puzzle is Marshall.
“I think Benji has been very clever in remaining quiet and keeping his head down at the moment. I think he would be very concerned what’s happening in head office.
“I know that he had an excellent working relationship with Justin Pascoe.
“I don’t know what his working relationship with Shane Richardson was, but he does appreciate the importance of stability in the head office, so he would be very concerned.
“But I do know that the boys are incredibly loyal to Benji, the man as opposed to the club itself, so they will be watching very carefully to see what he decides.”
While Richardson’s exit might ease some tension from owners, Hagipantelis suggested there’s still a Magpies agenda at the club.
Shane Richardson former Wests Tigers CEO. Getty
“There is one fellow who now serves on the board of West Magpies who said to me directly, that the ultimate ambition was to return the Western Suburbs Magpies to the NRL,” he continued.
“I can’t see it ever happening. The licence is in the name of West Tigers. It’ll only be issued by the NRL as a West Tigers licence.”
When asked if he would ever consider returning to the club, Hagipantelis shut it down.
“Not for all the tea in China. I’m happy to sit back and support the club and the players and Benji and the football department,” he said.
“As to the executive and the administration, the ownership; I have no interest, but, with respect to the club, I’ll always support the boys and girls.”