Lachlan Galvin is reportedly facing the axe at Wests Tigers as the five-eighth’s decision to knock back the club’s contract extension sets the stage for a messy break-up. Adam Doueihi is a chance to start at five-eighth against Parramatta on Easter Monday in place of Galvin, after confirmation he will leave the club when his current deal expires at the end of 2026. Teenage sensation Galvin passed on what the Tigers called the biggest contract they’d ever offered to a local junior and will be free to negotiate with rivals from November.
But in an ominous sign that the Tigers are prepared to play hard-ball with their star, Galvin is expected to be absent from the team list on Tuesday afternoon, so won’t have the chance to begin putting himself in the shop window. Doueihi, fighting for his own contract extension, is poised to line up next to Jarome Luai in the halves as the Tigers look to build on a 3-3 start to the season. Latu Fainu is currently recovering from a thumb injury but he and Jack Bird would provide other halves options should the Tigers’ stand-off with Galvin continue. The Tigers have previously insisted Galvin will not be permitted an early release from his deal. It remains to be seen whether Galvin would line up in NSW Cup for feeder club Western Suburbs this weekend.
Former Wests Tigers director Lee Hagipantelis has claimed Lachlan Galvin has been 'unsettled' for quite some time at the club, having requested multiple exits as Benji Marshall dropped the five-eighth from the team. The circus that is the NRL contract system took another twirl on Monday when superstar teen Galvin knocked back a five-year, $5 million deal with the Wests Tigers. And in a shock move that left many surprised, the Tigers confirmed Galvin would see out his contract and won't be at the club beyond 2026.
Galvin is one of the most talented youngsters in the game, and the move left Wests Tigers fans floored. The timing of the announcement after round six is also a disaster with players and fans aware Galvin will not be with the club after his current contract. The Wests Tigers stance was clearly out of frustration after being rejected by the teen, and reports emerged the snub wasn't down to money but allegedly due to Galvin's lack of confidence in coach Marshall.
Speaking on Tuesday morning, Hagipantelis dropped the news that Galvin has been 'unsettled' at the club and asked for multiple releases during his time in charge. The former Wests Tigers chairman, who exited at the end of 2023, claimed Galvin's exit was no surprise to those within the organisation after becoming aware of his situation. However, Hagipantelis spoke to NRL great Greg Alexander on SEN Radio and claimed the timing of the news left him stunned.
"Greg, I was shocked, not as to the substance to what had occurred, but I was shocked as to the timing. Lachie had requested, even when I was there on at least two occasions...a release that was not granted," he said on Tuesday morning. "I think it was inevitable. I think we all knew it was coming. The fact that the boy was refusing to negotiate with the club until 1 November, wanted to go to the market, indicated where his head was at. I just don't understand the timing of it all."
The former Tigers boss admitted he feels the saga will take a toll on the Tigers playing group, with his future now a talking point until he confirms his next destination. When Hagipantelis was pushed on why Galvin had asked for a release during his time in charge, the former Wests Tigers chairman didn't have an answer. "No, in fact I can't because I don't fully know...The reasons were not fully explored," he added. "He was unsettled. I have heard from independent sources that it has been made known, it has been made clear, for a little while that he was not staying at the club. None of this comes as a surprise, only the timing of it...why force the issue?"
In a developing situation for the Tigers, The Sydney Morning Herald reported the club's powerbrokers were told by Galvin's camp that the youngster didn't believe he could reach his playing potential under Marshall and that he "has no faith in his coach’s ability". Regardless, the coach is facing a huge decision with the balance of the playing group delicately poised. Benji Marshall axed Lachlan Galvin after news broke of the contract situation.
On Tuesday afternoon, Marshall dropped Galvin for the clash against the Eels after the news rocked the club. Galvin is already one of the premier five-eighths in the game, despite being just 19 years old. His development has been extraordinary, and many were looking forward to his burgeoning relationship with new Tigers recruit Jarome Luai. Fans felt Luai could help take Galvin's game to another level with his experience having won four premierships with the Panthers.
However, news of his exit has quickly prompted backlash from fans. Many feel playing Luai across the next 18 months doesn't benefit the club going forward. Galvin is currently keeping Latu Fainu, 19, out of the starting XIII even though he is touted as a future star. And Marshall is being urged to play Fainu and allow him to develop across the next 18 months because Galvin won't be there going forward.
Galvin has also been touted for a move to lock, which would allow Fainu to develop at No.6. This does leave Marshall in a tough situation with Galvin proving to be a superstar in the making and has helped the Tigers start the season 3-3. This is a massive improvement considering the club has won the last three wooden spoons. While the Tigers have claimed they will not release Galvin, it remains to be seen how this develops.
Galvin has broken his silence on his decision to knock back the Wests Tigers after a tumultuous 24 hours. It comes on the day Galvin was dropped by coach Benji Marshall after the club’s senior players approached him about not wanting the 19-year-old in the team against Parramatta on Easter Monday. The 19-year-old released a statement to address his future, insisting that he was trying to be respectful to the Tigers by informing them of his intention to depart the club at the end of his deal.
“I totally understand my decision will frustrate many Wests Tigers fans, but please know that it wasn’t an easy call to make,” Galvin said in a statement. “It’s a decision that I have discussed at length with my parents, closest friends and family. I’m extremely grateful for their love and support in making this call. The biggest reason why I made this call now is so that the Wests Tigers have enough time to plan their roster without me in the future. That’s the absolute truth of it.”
Galvin’s father, James, also weighed in and backed his son’s decision. “I can understand how Tigers fans feel, but as his father, I can also understand why Lachlan feels he needs a change,” James Galvin said. “I want the best for my son and his development as an NRL player and for that I’m supportive of his decision as he’s the one who knows his game best. What I know is that Lachie will continue to do his best for the club for the remainder of his time there.”
The Tigers are preparing for their next match against Parramatta, and the dynamics of the team are likely to shift as they navigate this challenging period. With Galvin's future uncertain, the focus will be on how the team adapts and who steps up in his absence.
