Financially powerful Western Suburbs are demanding to be on equal terms with Balmain in the struggling Wests Tigers merger.
However, the Magpies faction denied they would attempt to separate themselves from Balmain, saying it would be unrealistic for the foundation club to re-enter the NRL as a lone entity.
Wests Tigers Chairman Mike Bailey – who is from the Magpies side – along with deputy chairman Nick di Girolamo, met with the NRL a number of weeks ago to discuss the future direction and structure of the club.
The Wests Tigers board, which has long been a rocky marriage, will wait to hear back from the NRL before making a decision on the road ahead.
However, former TV weatherman Bailey said that while the board has often been at war with itself, the joint venture was in no danger of collapsing.
“We don’t want it to collapse. Balmain don’t want it to collapse, if I can talk for them as well. We want things to continue as they are from the point of view of this franchise,” Bailey told AAP.
“I think we have to accept the way things are and we have to move forward with our only lifeline to the NRL.
“Yes, over the years there’s been conflict on the Wests Tigers board. That’s because when you put two clubs together, both of which would like to actually be independent, then inevitably there’s a deal of tension one way or the other.
“Balmain might like to go it alone … And maybe some people in the Wests fraternity would too. But I think we’ve got to be realistic and say this joint venture, if we can call it that, has been there for 14 years.
“A lot of people have been born in that time. A lot of others have grown up in that time and they don’t have the affinity that was there many years ago to either of the original sides that were foundation clubs in the rugby league.”
Since the Wests Tigers were formed in 2000, the perception has been that the Balmain Tigers are the dominant force in the merger.
But the reality now is Balmain are strapped for cash and Western Suburbs are backed by two powerful Leagues clubs at Campbelltown and Ashfield.
Bailey said the Magpies faction are keen to turn around the one-sided perception, but under the banner of Wests Tigers.
“More than anything else, we’re looking at being on an equal footing; for people to perceive we’re on an equal footing and moving ahead together,” Bailey said.
“I don’t think it’s a time for one side or the other to be putting up their hands and saying `we’re in charge’.”
Bailey said changing the name or the colours of the franchise was not something being considered.
“It’s important we address things like (where the Magpie is on the jersey),” he said.
“That we make sure … Wests are a part, a real part of this franchise. The same as Balmain are a real part. But most of all we have to remember this is Wests Tigers.”
Bailey said the replacement of outgoing chief executive Stephen Humphreys would be “the best man for the job” and potential Magpies or Balmain ties won’t be relevant.
The Chairman also said coach Mick Potter has the full support of the board despite his team’s terrible on-field performances of late.