LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
A power struggle has erupted within the Wests Tigers ownership as Julie Romero has been ousted from her position as chair of the Holman Barnes Group.
This group is the majority owner of the Wests Tigers and controls a 75% stake in the franchise.
Romero had held the chair position since March 2023 after leading a boardroom coup against Tony Andreacchio.
She has now been replaced by Dennis Burgess, the long-time chairman of the Western Suburbs District Rugby League Football Club.
While Romero will still serve on the board, this leadership change is seen as more than a mere reshuffle and is already raising eyebrows.
According to reports, Burgess allegedly told Balmain-aligned Wests Tigers director Danny Stapleton, "We're bringing back the Wests Magpies." This statement has caused a stir and reached NRL chairman Peter V'landys through Wests Tigers chair Barry O'Farrell, indicating the tensions brewing within the organization.
The implications of Burgess's appointment are considerable for the already fragile joint-venture framework of the club.