Lee Hagipantelis’ refusal to obey a request from the Holman Barnes Group, the 60 per cent majority shareholder of Wests Tigers, to stop constantly putting himself out in the media is the major reason he is set to lose his job.
The Tigers chairman holds regular long lunches with journalists who support him and blame others at the club for the Tigers’ demise.
The media campaign has upset the Group, who also run the powerful Wests Ashfield Leagues Club, and have ordered the review of the club.
‘Major surprise’ as Warrior told he can leave
Warriors dynamo Josh Curran has been given permission to negotiate with rival clubs in a major surprise – and has at least two Sydney teams keen to sign him.
The 23-year-old has established himself as one of the Warriors’ best strike forwards over the past two seasons and has represented both the Indigenous All Stars and Prime Minister’s XIII.
He was a regular member of the Warriors’ squad throughout their charge from second last to the top four this year, playing 23 matches, adding impetus from the bench in many games.
The tough backrower is signed until the end of next season but the Warriors, on the back of such a fine year in 2023, need to find room in the salary cap to upgrade their best up-and-comers and that is believed to be the reason that Curran is likely to be moved on.
Broncos poised to lose Paix after demotion
The Broncos look like losing hooker Cory Paix, who isn’t happy at being relegated to the club’s third choice hooker in the big end of season matches.
Paix played 15 matches during the year – all from the bench – but only one after round 14.
Coach Kevin Walters preferred his son Billy and Tyson Smoothy to Paix in the crucial games and I’m told Paix isn’t happy.
A couple of clubs have shown interest in Paix … and the Broncos don’t need three hookers – so he’s likely to be cut loose in coming weeks.
Sky Blues coaching search incoming
It’s not just a male coach that the NSW Blues will be searching for, for 2024 and beyond.
I’ve heard they may also soon need a women’s coach, with incumbent Kylie Hilder in the sights of a couple of NRLW clubs who are prepared to offer her a fulltime gig.
Premiers Newcastle are one, with their successful coach Ron Griffin set for a promotion to NSW Cup next season.
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