Mayor launches bid against ‘unaccountable’ Tigers bosses amid 15-year misery
The off season is only a couple of days old - but the off field fun and games are starting again at the poor old Tigers.
The mayor of Inner West Council, Darcy Byrne, is setting up a fan forum to put the heat on the Holman Barnes Group, who control the running of the joint venture.
Former Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson (right) alongside Inner West Sydney Council mayor Darcy Byrne. Sydney Morning Herald
“Following another disappointing season for Wests Tigers fans we’re forming a new fan led organisation to help turn our club around - Wests Tigers Unite,” Byrne posted on social media.
“After 15 years without finals football, Wests Tigers supporters have shown extraordinary loyalty.
“Yet we still have no meaningful say in the future of the club that we love.
“The administration and ownership of Wests Tigers remain completely unaccountable to the fans and members who have stuck by the club through thick and thin.
“It’s time to give one of rugby league’s biggest and most passionate supporter bases the seat at the table they deserve.”
Never a dull moment in Tigertown!
Knights ace unhappy with offer
Try-scoring ace Fletcher Hunt has been unable to agree on a new deal with the Knights and is set to go to the open market on November 1.
With 13 tries and five try assists this season, Hunt, who is still only 20, has been one of the big success stories of the Newcastle revival in 2026 after the club claimed the wooden spoon last year.
But the speedy outside back isn’t even listed among the Knights’ top 30 players on the official NRL website and may have to switch clubs to get the contract he is worth.
“Fletcher loves it there (Newcastle) and would like to stay but the club made us an early offer that he wasn’t happy with,” Hunt’s manager Gavin Orr told nine.com.au.
Fletcher Hunt. NRL Imagery
“They obviously have higher profile players who are their main priority at the moment so it looks like we will go onto the open market on November 1 and see what happens from there.”
Hunt is contracted to the Knights until the end of next season but can talk to rival clubs come November – and is certain to get plenty of interest.
Red V picks up a jack of all trades
The Dragons have picked up a promising 17-year-old hooker from Shellharbour Stingrays.
Ryland Coelho starred for Illawarra in the Harold Matthews Cup to earn a chance in the Dragons development squad.
The club sees the talented dummy half as something special and signed him on a three-year deal.
Adding to his value is the fact that he is also a highly accurate goal kicker and clever kicker out of dummy half.
Tigers set to give Broncos forward a lifeline
Journeyman back-rower Jack Gosiewski could end up at the Tigers next season.
The Broncos told Gosiewski he was free to leave at the end of this year’s disastrous campaign and several Super League clubs have shown interest in the experienced 32-year-old forward.
Gosiewski has done the rounds, debuting with Souths 10 years ago in 2016 before subsequent stints at the Cowboys, Sea Eagles, Dragons and finally the Broncos.
With the Tigers having one of the youngest packs in the NRL, they feel his experience may come in useful.
