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Wests Tigers Hand Benji Marshall 2030 Deal as O’Farrell Returns and Mielekamp Installed

NRL pressure prompted a partial board reinstatement to bolster stability in a club long riven by governance strife.

Overview

  • The club confirmed a five-year extension for coach Benji Marshall through 2030, a significant vote of confidence aimed at steadying the football program.
  • Shaun Mielekamp was named interim CEO and began personally calling members, outlining a unity plan and reaffirming venue plans for Leichhardt and Campbelltown.
  • Owners agreed to reinstate chair Barry O’Farrell with independent directors Annabelle Williams and Michelle McDowell, while Charlie Viola is understood to be unlikely to return.
  • The ARLC’s Peter V’landys intervened in crisis talks, a board meeting on Monday will determine the revamped structure, and HBG is set to hold a five-seat majority on a nine-member board after Dennis Burgess quit the Tigers board but remained HBG chair.
  • Supporters plan a Saturday rally from Pratten Park to Wests Ashfield calling for the Holman Barnes Group board to resign as fan unrest over governance continues.