'Ease back': Tigers star's plea after Galvin saga ends

Adam Doueihi has urged people to "ease back" on criticising Lachlan Galvin as the young gun prepares to leave the Wests Tigers. After endless speculation, the 19-year-old now looks destined to join the Canterbury Bulldogs on a long-term deal in a major coup for the ladder leaders. While it has been incredibly messy, both the Tigers and Galvin can now move on and start fresh for the remainder of the 2025 campaign. A deal hasn't been formally signed yet but the expectation is that the playmaker will be at Belmore within the coming weeks or even days. His Tigers teammates clearly aren't attempting to keep up with the twists and turns of the negotiations. "Is there a resolution? I don't know too much," Terrell May said on Wednesday. "We had our first training session on Monday and got told that he was free to leave. "He's a good kid, wish him all the best - he's got to do what's best for him and his family. Obviously I'm sad, because me and him were pretty close. "I wish him all the best and I know he will do a great job at any club he goes to." Galvin has copped plenty of scrutiny throughout the process, which started when he and manager Isaac Moses told the Tigers they wouldn't accept a new deal beyond 2026. It led to claims of bullying within the club and Galvin's character called into question. But with things finally coming to a head, Doueihi said he hopes all parties can move on. "There's definitely been some news articles about it," the experienced utility said. "I enjoyed playing with Lachie, he's a good kid and definitely got a lot of talent. I guess if his future is at the Dogs, I wish him all the best and hope he has plenty of success there. "Seeing such a young kid with so much talent have that much media attention on him is definitely hard to take. There's always good players and bad players that come and go at each club. His future wasn't with us and I wish him all the best. "Coming into the NRL, he's had so much hype and media pressure on him and I know dealing with him here, he's dealt with it really well. "I hope everyone can ease back on him a bit now and let him play his footy." May went through his own contract saga last year after being told he was free to leave the Roosters and admitted he had spoken to Galvin about dealing with it. "Me and him spoke in private pretty deeply, but I'll leave that off the camera," May said. Benji Marshall's men will take on the Cowboys this weekend, with Heath Mason named to play five-eighth in place of Galvin.

'Should've waited': Star's contract regret after stunner

Adam Doueihi has cheekily suggested he should've waited another week to sign a deal with the Wests Tigers after his try-scoring return ended a 441-day absence from the NRL. Coming off his third knee reconstruction, Doueihi was one of the side's best in a comprehensive victory over the Raiders on Sunday. The utility signed a fresh one-year deal prior to the game, and negotiated the contract himself after becoming his own manager. Asked about his new contract ahead of the Tigers' clash with the Roosters this week, Doueihi was in a cheeky mood. "Should've waited an extra week," he smirked. "I saved the club a bit of cash there." Doueihi's negotiation wasn't straight forward, having rejected an initial minimum wage $150,000 offer. Eventually, the club and player saw eye to eye. "The club came to me with an offer that was what I wanted and we were able to do a deal pretty quick," he said. "It's still the cooling off period now I guess so maybe I can rip up the contract and go back in there and knock on Richo's (CEO Shane Richardson) office and ask for a bit more cash," he added with a laugh. "I've loved the club ever since I've been here. We obviously haven't had the success I've wanted. I'm here for another year, hopefully we get a few more wins and build for next year." The centre/five-eighth added he was happy to stick with a one-year deal, backing his ability to extend that in the future if he stays injury free. "We both agreed on another year ... I've always said my footy will do the talking and back my ability for the rest of this year and start of next year to get another deal after that," he said.

'Last straw': Tigers set for chop after 74-0 humiliation

A host of experienced players are set for the chop from the Wests Tigers following the club's dismal performance this season.Last weekend's 74-0 humiliation in Townsville was the last straw for club management, who are set to show at least half a dozen players the door.Veteran winger Ken Maumalo (Titans) and forward Joe Ofahengaue (Eels) have already been released mid-season, while centre Tommy Talau and much-maligned halfback Luke Brooks have both signed with Manly for 2024.Several other players, including Alex Seyfarth, Brandon Wakeham, Charlie Staines, Daine Laurie and Tukimihia Simpkins are off contract and most of these are likely to be released.But the blood-letting won't stop there as new recruitment manager Scott Fulton attempts to overhaul the Tigers' poor roster.Several players under contract for 2024, including injury-plagued utility Adam Doueihi are likely to be told they can shop around for new clubs.