LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
Balmain Tigers legend Benny Elias has come out swinging at a rogue Wests Tigers board member who is pushing for a split from the Western Suburbs faction of the joint venture club.
Balmain director Garry Leo dropped a bombshell on the NRL club, suggesting a crisis meeting to discuss breaking away from the Western Suburbs side.
The Wests Tigers have been tackling challenges both on and off the footy field for years, with Leo pointing fingers at the majority owners, the Holman Barnes Group (HBG), for many decision-making blunders.
He believes that Balmain has a stronger fan base in Sydney's inner-west and should go solo with the right financial support.
However, Elias is not having it, declaring that the relationship between Balmain and Western Suburbs is rock solid and firing back at Leo's "absolutely farcical comments." He insisted that Balmain and Western Suburbs are united partners, bound by a 25-year marriage that will last for eternity.
"Wests Tigers have a licence with the NRL.
Balmain is a big part of Wests Tigers, just as Western Suburbs is.
We are partners and will continue being partners," Elias told News Corp.
"It has taken 25 years for Balmain and Wests to tie the knot, and that bond will endure.
Splitting from Wests Tigers is out of the question."