There is a particular kind of institutional self-destruction that the Wests Tigers have perfected over decades.
A compulsive, almost artistic ability to detonate crises at the worst possible moment.
Saturday's season opener against the North Queensland Cowboys at Leichhardt Oval should be a celebration.
Instead, the club's majority owner is staring down a Supreme Court writ.
Tony Andreacchio, a director dumped from the Holman Barnes Group board in January last year, has issued an ultimatum: reinstate him immediately, or face him in court.
He isn't chasing payout, he wants his seat back.
Andreacchio's legal letter has been sent and his lawyers are ready to file proceedings later this week if HBG refuses.
According to The Daily Telegraph, insiders suggests HBG would sooner fight than fold, a refusal looks likely.
In January last year, a disclipinary committee reviewed complaints received by Western Suburbs Leagues Club, which HBG owns, and handed down suspensions to three directors.
Andreacchio's lawyers will argue his removal was procedurally flawed and tainted by bias.
Andreacchio copped six years, while fellow director Ricky Wayde received eight and David Gilbert got six months.
The Holman Barnes board does shave the constitutional power to simply reinstate Andreacchio if they choose.
The former director also helped commission an independent review aimed at restructuring Wests Tigers' entire football operations.
It does raise an uncomfortable question for HBG: if Andreacchio was dangerous enough to ban for six years, why was his reform work welcomed?
Your last paragraph raises the question of what your agenda is?
If you are going to make a cliam that a board sacked a member because he was “dangerous”, you need to provide the proof in the form of a quote. But you can’t because it is YOUR word, not one used by the HBG.
Let’s try something different – like accuracy in reporting.
He was banned for 6 years for intimidatory and aggressive behaviour, attempted coercion, and abusive behavior. Whilst that might make some people seem dangerous, with others, it just makes them seem stupid. But either, your inference is not warranted.
The timeline tells the story.
Late 2023: he commissioned the review
2024 season launch: abuseda fellow board member
March 2024: overthrown as board chair
Sept 2024: engaged in aggressive behavior at a board meeting
Nov 2024: Formerly suspended for the above and other abusive behavior
End of 2024: Received 6 year ban
Andreacchio was not the author of the reforms. He instigated an inquiry. The recommendations – which have nothing to do with his personal and professional behavior that got him banned – were taken up.
He will get his a#rse whipped if he takes it to court. They will call his bluff, and the media will keep stirring it up and misrepresenting it.