EXCLUSIVE: Gould Advises Lachlan Galvin to Depart Tigers Immediately as Tensions Reach ‘Unacceptable’ Levels

Lachlan Galvin’s position at the Wests Tigers has become untenable, and league icon Phil Gould believes he should depart Concord immediately.

Despite having 18 months remaining on his contract with the club, Gould contends that the negative fallout from his recent comments, along with concerns about his relationship with coach Benji Marshall, should lead the club to permit him an early exit.

Reports indicate that Galvin feels he is unlikely to reach his full potential under Marshall, a player known for his remarkable legacy as one of the game’s finest halfbacks.

During an appearance on Channel Nine’s 100% Footy on Monday evening, Storm great Cameron Smith suggested that Galvin’s teammates might not be keen to play alongside him any longer.

Teammates Jarome Luai, Sunia Turuva, and Fonua Pole have voiced their feelings online—some in cryptic posts—essentially criticising Galvin’s decision and accusing him of prioritising personal interests over team obligations.

On Wide World of Sports’ Six Tackles with Gus, Gould praised the Tigers for their decisive response in defending Marshall, noting that this has garnered support from the fanbase, especially in light of the club’s history of losing promising young talent.

“I believe that’s what Wests Tigers fans are applauding right now,” Gould stated. “It stings, but it’s a strong message.”

Gould asserted that Galvin would “have to” move on, given the current circumstances.

“(Galvin’s contract) is untenable… one cannot publicly express such views, even if those discussions were intended to be private.”

Gould expressed frustration over the lack of clarity about who leaked details of the meeting between the player’s manager and the club to the media, highlighting the mistrust among fans who feel they have been let down in the past.

He reminisced about a similar situation years ago involving young stars like James Tedesco, Aaron Woods, and Mitchell Moses, stating that “Wests Tigers fans probably feel like they’ve been taken for a ride.”

Galvin shares an agent with Tedesco and Woods—Isaac Moses—and it was under Moses’ management that the club lost those players, with only Luke Brooks remaining.

“They had three of their upcoming stars taken away at a crucial time, which really hurt the club,” Gould lamented.

“Shane Richardson has come in and provided strong governance, demonstrating an understanding of how a club should be developed over time,” he added. “He has made significant decisions—parting ways with numerous players and reshaping the roster while supporting his coach. The senior players have demonstrated notable unity during this situation.”

Gould acknowledged the pain this decision causes them but affirmed that they cannot overlook Galvin’s actions.

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The talented teenager has drawn interest from Manly and Parramatta, but with a contract still in place at the Tigers, he cannot initiate discussions until November 1. On 100% Footy, Gould also hinted at the possibility of the Bulldogs inquiring about his services.

However, a club statement on Monday evening confirmed that Galvin would not be permitted to leave early.

On Tuesday night, Galvin made a statement to 9News’ Danny Weidler, which did not directly address his comments about Marshall but stated that his move was aimed at “continuing to develop my game at a different club.”

According to Gould, Galvin must now “accept the consequences” of his actions.

He has been dropped from the Tigers’ lineup for the Easter Monday match against the Eels, and it remains uncertain whether he will be assigned to reserve grade or entirely excluded from the club.

NRL legend Matthew Johns offered criticism of Marshall’s choices, asserting that the Tigers would benefit from having Galvin in the team.

“If I were Benji Marshall, I wouldn’t give two hoots about Lachie Galvin’s opinion of me… I would say, ‘Son, you’re in the team and I need you to help us win,'” he remarked during a segment on SEN radio.

“If senior players inform me they do not want to play with him, I will consider that, but ultimately, I’m the coach, and if I believe the team is stronger with Lachie in it, I will select him.”

“Benji’s coaching career hinges on performance between now and October; he must field the best side available.”

Johns questioned why the future of 2026 should take precedence over the present season: “Is the team stronger with Lachlan Galvin right now? Yes, so why sacrifice 2025 for future uncertainties?”

He reduced the impact of dropping Galvin, asserting that such a move could prolong the situation, allowing ongoing speculation regarding his position to distract the team.

“To avoid this becoming a distraction, I would have picked him for this weekend’s match,” he advised.

“Actions speak louder than words; while you can’t win everyone back, if he gives his all and shows commitment, he can regain some respect. This won’t be solved by his absence from the squad, as the pressure will only accumulate the longer he remains sidelined. I would have fielded him this weekend—it’d be preferable to face the issue directly.”