The once mighty Western Suburbs Magpies will continue in sporting purgatory next season with a likely move to the third-tier Bundy Cup competition in 2013.
This is hard to say for an old Magpies diehard. But maybe it is time to take old yeller out the back and finally put Western Suburbs out of its misery.
Don’t get me wrong. A part of me is glad the black and white jumper will live on for at least another year. But the other part of me can see the writing on the wall.
Wests Tigers are the future. And everyone knows you can’t fight the future.
The Macarthur region deserves better than the decades of in-fighting and factions and second-rate football teams. It’s time for the Wests Tigers franchise to take control.
But don’t take this admission of defeat without warning. The Wests Tigers club must stretch their presence in the south west.
Let’s get one thing clear, I once lived and breathed the Magpies. I would cry when we won and I’d cry when we lost. Losing was a lot more frequent.
Other kids had push bikes. Some, like my brother, would spend hours down the bush making cubby houses. For me, it was all about footy and the Magpies.
I was there for the final game in 1999 against the Auckland Warriors at Campbelltown Stadium. A 12-year-old weeping with a bunch of strangers thirty and forty years his senior must have been a sight to behold.
The Warriors destroyed the beleaguered Magpies that day. Yet it didn’t stop the diehards from chanting for their old club one last time in the big league.
I was there in 1996 when Andrew Willis kicked a monster field goal to send the Goldstar Magpies into the playoffs for the final time. Like it was yesterday, I can still remember running along under the western grandstand as the ball left Willis’ boot.
Andrew Leeds was a god. So much of a god in fact, that when he sat down behind us at a Sheffield Shield match one afternoon, I understandably bolted and hid in the Members Stand for two hours.
There is a reason these are memories. Because they are in the past. Another time.
It’s time the Wests Tigers became a single entity from the top down. That includes the demise of the Balmain Tigers.
Outgoing Wests Tigers chairman David Trodden had some wise words after quitting his post.
“I don’t see the joint-venture structure as a structure for the long term,” Trodden said.
“I certainly think it’s time for the organisation to revisit its structure and to think about what the best structure would be to take the organisation to that next level. At some point of the joint venture, you have to get to a point where the joint-venture structure is not the most appropriate structure to take you forward.
“We now have one State Cup team, rather than two. For Wests Tigers to take that next step in its evolution, the club needs to concentrate on things they have in common, rather than the things which split them. [And] in order to take that next step, you probably need somebody who is not identified with things which happened in the past.”
You can always respect the past. But its time the Wests Tigers created their own history. No factions, no Western Suburbs Magpies, no Balmain Tigers.
A Greek proverb goes, “A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.”
The Wests Tigers must start planting their own trees for the next generation. Under one banner.
joe camilleri
Guest
the whole point is missed..you say it is like wests tigers is a totally new entity..and has nothing to do with balmain or wests...that is not my interpretaion of what it was all about..If it was..Wests and Balmain should have been shoved out the door and a totally new club born..The NRL are most incompetant organisaion in this country.It's all about money..Not the clubs we have grown to love..Not about the people..It's run too much as a business first..All wrong..Since it's inception in 1908..Go read..They have got it wrong..I was against super league. But if you stop and look at it now..It shook and scared the hell out of the ARL..I would love to see some big corporates combine to do it all over again..
81paling
Roar Rookie
We get rid of the sarcasm (as it is a poor form of communication) and what BJT tells us is that 3 teams in the QLD cup can beat the Parramatta team that defeated the NRL Premiers The Melbourne Storm, which is clearly not correct. The clear conclusion here is that BJT has become carried away with the moment and has wasted a lot of his own time with his poor response.
simmo green
Guest
The point that many miss is that the Magpies were not a particularly saleable brand, nor did they have a bright future. With slightly more historical success than Norths, they were very much damaged goods. The significant change in the demographic of their area saw them move to Campbelltown, but they were unable to connect to a Rugby League mad community in a high growth area. In my view the team are the Tigers, why they need to have a little magpie floating about the sleeve is beyond me. Old Wests fans are getting a little uppity at the moment because of the Rozelle development issues, but don't get ahead of yourselves boys, the Tiger is critical to the club's future, the Magpie and the black and white colours are just a reminder of many forgettable decades
betts
Guest
Balmain woukd have been toast too if they went with Parra. Dennis Fitzgerald only wanted the Tiger logo.
Blues man
Guest
Yes but his tigers remain dont they!!!Funny how all the ex Balmain people say yeah one club wests tigers blah blah But there also the ones that prob only refer to them as "The Tigers" Sorry Curtis in my eyes your comments are not of a true Wests Magpies supporter!!
Valleys Diehard from Brunswick st.
Roar Rookie
My team was Balmain but I accept the JV for what it is and what had to be done. The Magpie faction have been upset for a while however it is worth noting the Magpies would have been toast if Balmain went with Parra. The reality is that the WT is true merger, the Magpies receive far more recognition than the Stealers.(That Dragons JV is still a joke.) Keep in mind that the initial squad was contributed significantly by Balmain, the Magpies had their backsides handed to them most every game for the previous 3 years. Agreed that a Premiership and 13 years in competition is plenty of time now for all concerned to acknowledge the "single" team approach. Some simple points to adopt: HG should be Campbelltown, Home Colours should be Black and White hoops, Away Colours should be Black and Gold hoops, Pre-Season games at Leichardt and a single NSW Cup, U20, SG Ball and youth team. The Balmain fans would support this. I know because I am one. Albeit an arm chair supporter as I'm a QLDer.
Valleys Diehard from Brunswick st.
Roar Rookie
You have some good overall points bjt however I don't think bashing Sydney-siders is one of them. We have have life so much better in QLD, there is not one aspect of life in Sydney that is an improvement on SE QLD. I'm not saying feel sorry for them but they simply seem to basque in this eternal "look at the harbour" jingoism that they forget the quality of life and cost of living is easily the worst in Au. Just saying.
Valleys Diehard from Brunswick st.
Roar Rookie
Sunnybank? Clydesdales? I don't recall either team in the BRL when the Broncos joined the NSWRL. The other QLD clubs had/ have a strong leagues club association so survived regardless, if you want to bash the Broncos I'm all for it.... The main issue i have is that the Broncos were the killers and coffin makers of the BRL.
bjt
Point re-stated - Wests and other Sydney clubs removed from the national comp should be happy in a state based competition, where they belong and where several current Sydney based NRL teams belong, and in time will reside. They don’t belong in Perth or the Central Coast or wherever people who suggest offloading the plight of a failed club on some other territory say. What is the justification to suggest a failed or failing Sydney clubs re-locate to Perth, Adelaide, and Sunshine or Central Coast etc? Those places deserve the opportunity to develop their own history and not simply take Sydney’s rubbish. However, like many things involving Sydney, with their inflated sense of importance believe otherwise, and to question such statements is the only issue. Yes, I will admit I have not purchased any maps of late and nor stuck to my rigid 30 minutes a day study to the geographical surveys of the Sydney, like all good Australians of course I should be doing my duty – Its Sydney, Australia’s flagship, it’s jewel and of course the holy land of rugby league, where not even it most ardent follows will support the NRL due to it's lack of purity. Although I must say I do like to dabble with new technologies, such as something called Google Maps, and have found that indeed Gosford is massive distance of 75 or so kilometres from Sydney. Which is simply horrible, something must be done now to remove this tyranny of distance beseeching the populace of the great land. I myself and my brothers of the north will start petitioning the government, local rugby league teams, anyone, for the construction of a bullet train and free taxi services to courier people from their homes to stations, to help ease the pain. Thanks for alerting me to the desperate need of the people of Sydney and for my hurtful comments I didn’t make about Gosford. As for QCup, the minor premiers of Redcliffe, with 17 wins for the season putting on 724 points, would have easily done over the 2012 Eels with their 6 wins and 431 points for the season. Actually the top 3 teams QCup teams would have done over the Eels without too much trouble. But of course it’s Parramatta, which is a Sydney club, so it’s silly for me to suggest that a NRL club let alone a Sydney club could be beaten by a second rate “rugby league” club from somewhere else. The world club challenges are rigged anyway, and my state which only started playing league in 1909 does not even deserve to be mentioned, let alone a compassion of all things! Long live the Maggies, Balmain, Newtown, Norths, Glebe, Annandale and their Sydney brothers, for I hope the fans and the NRL will not forsake you, and may you prosper in the NSWCup, so your great history is not forgotten.
Bring Back the Bears
Guest
As someone who has also lost a team in the top tier, I also embrace the heritage teams (Jets, Magpies, Bears etc). All year I have been trying to keep up to date with the Magpies situation in the NSW Cup and have been appalled that the Wests Tigers don't adopt a similar approach the the Dragons who have the Steelers (now cutters) represent the joint venture in the NSW Cup. However it has also become increasing clear that there is still a lot of in fighting within the Mags/Tiges JV and maybe highlighting the difference between the two team i.e. having two mascots isn't the best way to move forward, I don't know. I've read a few posts from old die hard Magpies fans talk about splitting from Balmain and going it alone because they have the money in the JV, however is there even any certainty that either the Tiges or Magpies could survive in the NRL now without each other? Would the NRL allow either team to have an NRL licence on their own? The Wests Tigers have now been a single entity for about 13 years, a lifetime for some younger fans, could both teams survive a divorce, especially considering they will be splitting their current supporter base and sponsors. Maybe the Wests Tigers is now a marriage of necessity for both clubs.
Bring Back the Bears
Guest
Not only is basing themselves in concord dumb, this is trumped by the WESTS tigers playing 4 home games a year at the SFS. Seriously, what were they thinking?
81paling
Roar Rookie
Neither NSW cup side needs to go, the competition needs them both. It is about local teams playing at local grounds. So both Balmain and Campbletown need a local team in order to build the NSW cup as a foundation local competition. If you get rid of Wests then what happens when the NSW cup equivalent of heritage round happens and the 4 clubs of Wests, Norths, Newtown and Balmain get together. This concept is great and needs to be supported for the NSW cup. As for the author, Curtis I think it is sad that you see no future for your club, the merging of Balmain and Wests in the NRL should simply be viewed in the same way as NSW and QLD, they have separate teams for State of origin yet they combine to form the Australian team. Wests was a great club but, they have a key geographical position that needs to be filled for the NSW cup. Don't give up on them as that (under resourced, neglected yet growing stubbornly and rapidly in popularity) competition needs them and they need you. So lets embrace a better future with the Magpie's
81paling
Roar Rookie
bjt is a very confused person as he stated: Why can't Wests b happy with a team in their local comp. That is what the NSW cup is and that is what many Wests fans want, they are not looking for an NRL rebirth. Q cup team would have flogged Parra, well as Arthur has pointed out this is a stupid statement and needs no further discussion as it shows bjt lives in a land of denial. He links the bears NRL proposal as simply another Sydney based team, that proposal is for a team based out of Gosford not Sydney (buy a map bjt) BJT says their is a QLD rugby League comp as old as any based in Sydney. No there is not, QLD had no Rugby League in 1908. He continues on with this rubbish taking ignorant swipes at Sydney and goes onto to say that the Leagues needs strong State based comps with proud history's. All that magpie's followers against this move want is just that to keep their proud club and it's history autonomous in the State based competition. Many are also concerned about a total merger with Balmain whom at present appear to have terrible management who make awful decisions that are destroying and bankrupting that club. Wests fans with concerns and a passion for their clubs history are totally justified in making their point, sounding their concerns and opposing current moves. Be they right or wrong they should not be harassed by someone as ignorant as bjt.
Curtis Woodward
Expert
Pretty sure he said Balmain needs to go too.
Captain Obvious
Guest
@Ads But the Perth NRL club would be targeting Eagles and Dockers fans. It depends on what THEY think of the "Magpies" brand.
Ads
Guest
spoken like a true Balmain Tigers fan. You have your Tigers, You are the lucky ones. I have moved on - away from league.
Ads
Guest
Why not? There are Richmond tigers, western bulldogs, canterbury bulldogs. If the clubs were smart they could partner and grow support for the other codes in all cities. I always supported Collingwood and Wests so why couldn't AFL people that supprted Collingwood who didn't follow league be targeted to follow another magpies team?
Curtis Woodward
Expert
Well said Ryan. Well said.
Ryan McCarthy
Guest
Good article, sad sad comments. Seriously... Are you all also still talking about your youth, your first car, being young again and how good your consistently bottom of the comp almost broke, poorly run clubs used too be. Rubbish. Both our clubs were loved, but were dying. Move on, choose the future, embrace change, step up and be part of it. I went to Balmains last game in Canberra. I cried, I said good bye. I then choose a new club. It is called Wests Tigers. It's a great club. It draws on the history of two proud historic clubs. It's has diverse fans who are passionate and committed. It has stronger juniors than ever before. I was never a magpies fan, but I am now proud to have their history embedded in my club. All this crap about keeping a state cup team for the two old clubs, is like being in an open marriage. It sounds ok in principle, but seriously imagine the fights. Oh you don't have too, you can just look at the bickering dividing our new great club. Commit, move on. Balmains state cup team should be Wests Tigers state cup team. One club, two pasts, one future. Fixture structure, get rid of old players making decisions that are way beyond their talent.
Billyboy Magpie
Guest
If you can turn on your so-called beloved magpies, and embrace Wests Tigers, then you are what i consider a "glory hunter". The most successful sport in the world is football (soccer), and especially the English Premier League. You know why. They dont make teams merge. No, they have promotion and relegation, and nobody is forced to change teams. I cant support a tiger, when my heart has only ever loved a magpie. Can you imagine Manchester United merging with Manchester City. You would never see it. Stupid Australian sports administrators think we can change teams like our undies. I have total sympathy for Wests, Norths, Illawarra, Newtown, St.George and even Balmain "true"supporters. Once you have a team, thats it. Not change because you are told too. Why not create divisions like the soccer leagues, where teamns keep their own identity ec, and are promoted on their performances. Who cares if the majority of teams are from Sydney. Do you think the EPL cares that Arsenal, Chelsea, Fulham, Tottenham, West Ham and Reading are from London. No, thats what happens when the biggest city is involved. Tradition is untouched in world soccer, in rugby league, its a joke. I will never embrace the tigers - why would i - junior nursery the size of my sons preschool, stadium that is ready to be firewood, no leagues club etc. Wests have 2 thriving leagues clubs, a massive array of junior talent, and a ground that puts Leichhardt to shame. Why are we bothering. We are bigger and better.