7 September, 2015. 11:10
IMRAN GASHKORI | Sports Editor | Contact
One of the NRL’s youngest clubs, Wests Tigers, have today asked yet another Sydney-based Rugby League franchise to join their combined venture.
The independently appointed chairperson for the Wests Tigers board, Marina Go, has said that the South Sydney Rabbitohs have been given the option to merge forces with the Tigers brand, in the same way the Western Suburbs Magpies did at the end of the 1999 season.
With two heritage Sydney clubs, a joint-venture club between the Balmain Tigers and the Magpies formed the Wests Tigers. This was despite the fact that Balmain no longer hosts any rugby league fans.
“This is a matter of keeping the tiger alive and South Sydney are aware of how important this is. All we are asking is they entertain they idea of joining our rugby league powerhouse,” said Mrs Go.
“There are no rules that say we can’t have a team that represents three clubs. And despite their grand final win last year, the Rabbitohs could use a bit of support. It’s up to them whether or not they decide to join the ‘Inner-Sydney Tigers’. This really hasn’t been about the Western Suburbs for quite some time,”
Nick Pappas, chairman of the the 107-year-old South Sydney Rabbitohs has already responded to the Wests Tigers proposal,
“I think it’s ludicrous that this half-hearted group of fairweather Balmain supporters actually think that the Tiger should remain in the comp,”
“There is not a frozen chance in hell that the Rabbitohs will merge with any other club, no chance at all”
“Wests Tigers need to focus on book-keeping and the simple management of Harry Triguboff’s money. They cannot possibly expect another club to help prop them up,”
“Balmain is full of young profesionals that support the Sydney Swans, they are looking good for a wooden spoon this year and have about seven home grounds. We are not interested”
However, It seems that South Sydney might have no choice in the matter, according to NRL CEO Dave Smith.
“Aye, Souths had a good win last year, a good win. But aye, to keep this game strong in Sydney we need to do all we can to help Sydney teams win.” Said Dave Smith
“Wests aint bin’ winning but Souths ‘ave bin’. Best to combine Wests with Souths,”
It is believed that Russell Crowe has been blacklisted from the NRL headquarters at Moore Park, for fear that Dave Smith will be brutally assaulted if Crowe were to get anywhere near him.
Wests Tigers Captain, Robbie Farah has said he looks forward to bossing around Michael Mcguire next year as the premiership winning coach is expected to take coaching priority over current Wests coach, Jason Taylor.
“Jason remembers what happened last time he was coaching the boys from South Sydney. It’s pretty close to happening again,” said Farah.
“He’s gotta go, he’s really cramping my style. Hopefully we can pull of this three-way joint venture with Souths and I’ll be able to finish my career bossing around Madge.”
