Lachlan Galvin Faces Potential Axe as NRL Icons Confront Teen Over Tigers ‘Cop Out’

Lachlan Galvin is reportedly facing the prospect of being dropped by the Wests Tigers ahead of their Easter Monday encounter with Parramatta.

This revelation, first reported by The Sydney Morning Herald, follows news that Galvin, a promising young talent, has turned down a new contract from the Concord club, which was rumoured to be a lucrative five-year deal exceeding $5 million.

Galvin’s impending exit—scheduled for after the 2026 season—has created unrest within the club, with sources indicating that senior players are advocating for a replacement for the five-eighth.

According to the Herald, utility player Adam Doueihi will don Galvin’s No.6 jersey in the traditional showdown at CommBank Stadium against the Eels.

The exact duration of Galvin’s tenure with the Tigers remains unclear, as he is expected to be omitted from the squad when it is announced at 4pm on Tuesday.

It’s unclear if Galvin will be fielded in the NSW Cup this week or if he will be entirely excluded from the club.

Reports suggest that Benji Marshall’s close rapport with captain and new signing Jarome Luai has been a major factor triggering Galvin’s departure.

The Herald also states that Galvin wished to have more influence on the attack and was uncomfortable relinquishing playmaking responsibilities to Luai.

However, it has been reported that Galvin’s diminishing faith in Marshall as a coach is the principal reason behind his desire to move on.

It appears that there is a significant amount of behind-the-scenes politics at play.

Galvin’s agent, Isaac Moses, has been informing other clubs that Galvin has no intention of renewing his contract with the Tigers due to issues with the coach for several months.

Moses and Marshall are said to be at odds over various matters.

Galvin is reportedly concerned that Marshall’s inclination to hire former teammates as assistants implies that the legendary player can only help him to a certain extent in his career progression.

Marshall is thought to have summoned Galvin into his office in the lead-up to last week’s match against Newcastle, as speculation surrounding Galvin’s future intensified.

Watch the 2025 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.

It’s understood that during the meeting, Galvin indicated that he wasn’t necessarily looking to leave but was eager to explore his options.

The reports suggest Galvin feels uneasy about Marshall’s close bond with Luai, noting that while they maintain a civil relationship, he and Luai are not particularly close.

Galvin’s frustrations with the Tigers appear to predate Marshall’s appointment, stretching back to his junior days, where he was positioned in the back-row despite believing he was the standout five-eighth in the ranks.

Additional concerns arose after the Tigers secured long-term contracts for Latu Fainu, Jayden Sullivan, and Luai in 2023, leaving Galvin’s camp feeling uneasy.

This tension prompted multiple requests for Galvin’s release, all of which were rebuffed, as the club heads into the 2024 season.

“I was shocked, not by the content of the situation but by the timing of it,” former Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis stated on SEN on Tuesday.

“Lachie had asked for a release at least twice, possibly three times during my term, which was not granted. I think this outcome was inevitable.

“We all had a sense this was on the cards… the young player wanted to hold off negotiating until November 1 and wished to explore his options, signalling his intentions.

“I’m genuinely concerned about the impact this may have on the remainder of the season as it will continue to be a talking point until it is resolved.”

The announcement on Monday regarding Galvin’s exit beyond 2026 also raised eyebrows among other players in the club.

Within hours of the news, Tigers prop Fonua Pole was observed liking a post on a Wests Tigers fan’s Instagram that made a dig at the five-eighth.

The declaration also triggered calls from within the team to possibly look past Galvin in the starting lineup, suggesting Jack Bird or Doueihi fill the five-eighth role temporarily, until young Fainu, currently sidelined after thumb surgery, is ready to return.

“It’s quite a tricky situation,” remarked NRL great Cameron Smith on Nine’s 100% Footy, expressing his support for Galvin to “move on straight away”.

“Particularly in an environment where you’ve got a young player in a pivotal position who states, ‘I don’t want to be associated with this club moving forward’.”

“When I played, if anyone voiced such sentiments, I would prefer they move on, as I want players who are committed to contributing positively to the club and the group.”

“I’m convinced that if an opportunity arises for the Tigers to seek out a replacement for Lachie, he won’t be in the club next year. That should be beneficial for both him and the Wests Tigers.”

As for whether the Roosters will attempt to court Galvin, that seems improbable due to their long-term commitment to players like Sam Walker and Sandon Smith.

“You’d need to check with someone else on that,” Tedesco remarked. “We have plenty of strong young halves at the club. I’m sure many teams will be keen on Galvin; he’s a talented player with a bright future.”

Former Penrith and NSW halfback Greg Alexander also took aim at the criticisms directed at coach Marshall, noting the marked improvements made by the club since last season.

“Excuses about Benji not being a competent coach seem like a simple fallback,” Alexander commented on SEN on Tuesday.

“There has been tension from the outset, and it’s been a challenging relationship all along.”

This “challenging relationship” is set to last until the end of October next year, still around 18 months from now.

Whether Galvin and the Tigers can maintain a civil relationship during this period remains to be seen.