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Wests Tigers sacking chaos as O'Farrell hits out
SEN • December 2nd, 2025 10:43 am
Off-field chaos at the West Tigers - where four directors were sacked overnight - has spilled into SEN 1170’s Breakfast show which was interrupted by a statement from Barry O’Farrell.
The former NSW premier was one of the four names to be dumped from the club’s board by majority owners the Holman Barnes Group on Monday evening amid a series of disagreements which includes the colour of the club’s jersey for 2026.
The sacked quartet - which includes O’Farrell, Annabelle Williams, Charlie Viola and Michelle McDowell - were said to be blindsided by the move having only been elected to the board in January of this year.
Michael Carayannis, who broke the story on Monday night, was co-hosting SEN Breakfast on 1170 when O’Farrell issued a statement direct to him.
“Since January 2025, the board has been unified and effective in improving the Wests Tigers’ governance, strategy and financial performance,” it read.
“We have at all times complied with our fiduciary duties in our roles as directors.
“We reject any suggestion of a lack of communication with Holman Barnes Group.
“Holman Barnes Group is represented on the board of the Wests Tigers and its representative has been present at all Wests Tigers board meetings and provided with all board information.
“No concerns have been raised by the representative of Holman Barnes Group at any Wests Tigers board meeting in relation to governance, communication or consultation.
“We are yet to be informed of the details or particulars of Holman Barnes Group’s concerns.”
Amid the board chaos, attention and concern now turns to the role of chief executive Shane Richardson and how safe he is.
“I'd be shocked if Shane Richardson was CEO at the start of next season,” Carayannis said on Tuesday morning.
"I thought the Tigers were tracking positively and the board members were doing a good job for the past 11 months. That's more that can be said for the Holman Barnes Group.”
The Tigers finished 13th in 2025 with a 9-15 win-loss record.
