Galvin confirmed at Bulldogs on monster deal

The Wests Tigers have finally confirmed the worst-kept secret in the NRL – that Lachlan Galvin's time at Concord is officially over. And he has now signed with the Bulldogs on a deal that will keep him at the club until the end of 2028. Hours after video was posted to a Bulldogs fan account of Galvin training in Canterbury kit, the Tigers released a short statement announcing the two parties had "mutually agreed to an immediate conclusion of his playing contract". "We wish Lachlan all the best with another NRL club," Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson said. Then shortly after came the statement from the Bulldogs: "The club is thrilled to welcome Lachlan to the Bulldogs family," the statement read. It contained no quotes from club officials or from the 19-year-old himself. Asked earlier on Friday if he was disappointed Galvin was gone, Tigers coach Benji Marshall was honest. "I don't know if disappointment's the word," he said. "Look, at the same time we like our players we've got, we love the squad we've got. "We're excited about some of the young players we've got coming through and for us, we want to try and make a mark on the competition this year and with the squad we've got, we're confident we can do that but we've got to put it together this weekend." Galvin's relationship with the Tigers was rocky at best, and reached a head last month when his manager Isaac Moses refused to consider a lucrative contract extension with the club. With fellow young gun playmaker Latu Fainu still sidelined, Mason Heath comes in to play five-eighth against the Cowboys on Saturday. Marshall says spirits in Tigers camp are high. "It's been a great week of training," he said. "Everyone's looking forward to just playing. We had a week off last week with the bye. The energy around the place has been really good, really positive. We've got a lot of guys excited to play. "I've noticed a real lift in energy amongst the group. "Obviously, (we've) got a few guys coming in that haven't played, guys like Heath who've brought a lot of energy to the team and then with our leaders they've been driving a really good preparation coming off the back of a bye." The Tigers sit 12th on the ladder with five wins from 11 outings.

'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.

'New nightmare' facing Tigers as rivals chase rising star

The besieged Tigers are facing a new nightmare with several clubs, headed by the Eels showing interest in talented young hooker Tallyn Da Silva. In the week in which the club lost brilliant playmaker Lachlan Galvin to the Bulldogs, the battle to retain Da Silva is of critical importance. The problem is that Da Silva knows he has the quality to be a starting NRL hooker - but can't achieve that goal at the Tigers, with veteran Api Koroisau is still playing great football for the club, is the team captain and is currently negotiating a new deal. Parramatta have struggled for a class hooker since losing Reed Mahoney to the Bulldogs in 2022 and Da Silva would be a great addition to their ranks. Da Silva's manager Mario Tartak confirmed to Wide World of Sports that five rival clubs have expressed interest in the classy hooker. "Tallyn loves the Tigers - this isn't a Lachlan Galvin-type situation," Tartak emphasised. "We can't talk to clubs at this stage but five have told me that if Tallyn goes to the marketplace, they are keen. "It's up to the Tigers to decide what they want to do but if Api stays, chances are Tallyn will have to go." North Queensland could also use a good dummy-half after losing State of Origin star Reece Robson to the Roosters.

Bulldogs State of Origin rep facing the axe as Lachie Galvin set to make immediate switch

Reed Mahoney is reportedly on the nose with Canterbury Bulldogs officials, and could be the odd man out once Lachie Galvin arrives. Galvin is set to make an immediate switch from the Tigers to Bulldogs on a three-and-a-half year deal. The 19-year-old five-eighth rejected a contract extension with the Tigers earlier this season, and the joint-venture has now agreed to allow him to leave the club immediately. Galvin informed the Bulldogs on Sunday that he's rejecting an offer from Parramatta to join the Belmore club. The Bulldogs will pay the Tigers a $165,000 transfer fee, and the move could be finalised this week. "What I understand of the situation right at the moment is that Lachlan Galvin has expressed his desire to play with the Bulldogs," Canterbury general manager Phil Gould said on Channel 9 on Sunday. "We still haven't closed off on a deal yet, and there are still some things that have got to be worked out with the Wests Tigers. I would hope that in the next 48 hours we have far greater clarity." Where Galvin fits into the Bulldogs line-up remains to be seen. Halves Matt Burton and Toby Sexton have led the Dogs to the top of the NRL ladder after 12 rounds, however Burton might be shuffled to fullback or the centres.

Fresh blow for Wests Tigers as 'popular' figure set to follow Lachie Galvin and leave NRL club

Hot on the heels of the Wests Tigers telling Lachie Galvin he's free to leave immediately, the NRL club is reportedly set to lose their team manager as well. The Tigers held a board meeting this week in which it was agreed that Galvin could leave before the June 30 deadline if he can secure a deal with another club. The Tigers reportedly want a player in exchange for Galvin, or a $170,000 transfer fee. Amid speculation about where Galvin might end up, reports emerged on Thursday that team manager Billy Callaway is also set to depart. Wide World of Sports columnist 'The Mole' reported the news on social media without going into detail. When asked for a reason why Callaway is leaving, The Mole simply stated: "It's complicated". Callaway's LinkedIn page still has him as the 'NRL Team Manager at Wests Tigers Rugby League Football Pty Ltd'. He started at the Tigers in 2018 as a coaching and developing manager, before switching roles to become Football Operations Assistant and Facilities Manager. In 2021 under then-coach Michael Maguire he was promoted to team manager. In 2020 he was named 'Club Person of the Year' at the team's awards night, and according to The Mole he's a popular figure around the club.

How Benji stopped Tigers from 'imploding' after Galvin saga

It's a testament to Benji Marshall's man-management skills as much as his coaching ability that the Tigers have won both their games since Lachlan Galvin has been reinstated into the team. The Tigers' season was in danger of imploding when Galvin was dropped following his dispute with the club and the Tigers slumped to a loss to last-placed Parramatta. But Marshall bit the bullet, put Galvin back into the team despite clear tension in the camp - and the Tigers have scored impressive wins over the Sharks and Dragons. Galvin and Jarome Luai - the man who slammed him on social media - are combining well on the field and the crisis appears to be past.

'I'm happy': Tigers star squashes rumours amid Galvin saga

Jahream Bula has brushed off suggestions he could be the next player to want out at the Wests Tigers, with the fullback reiterating he is "happy" at the club. In the wake of the Lachlan Galvin saga, which will see the five-eighth leave at the end of next season, Bula's name was quickly thrown into the rumour mill. The 23-year-old is also managed by the controversial Isaac Moses, who has been at loggerheads with the Tigers for many years, leading to speculation he could suggest a future for the Fijian international at another NRL team. But speaking to media on Thursday, the fleet-footed Bula was quick to squash it. "I'm happy at this club - I don't really want to talk about that stuff," he said. "I don't really listen to the outside noise. They love you when you're up, they bash you when you're down - but I don't really listen to that stuff. "I listen to the people that have earned the right to say their opinion to me." Bula has become one of Benji Marshall's most potent attacking weapons and is already signed with the Concord-based outfit until the end of 2027. The recent issues involving Galvin - which included senior players being offside with the wantaway youngster before his successful return in round nine at Leichhardt Oval - haven't appeared to weigh on Bula. "I love the kid - we've got a good relationship and it's one I'll cherish forever," he said. "He's a very resilient kid and it showed when he played that game how resilient he is, especially after that tough week." The side will take on the Dragons on Saturday night at Magic Round.

'Love playing with the kid': Luai hits back at Galvin question

Lachlan Galvin has opened up on his return to the Wests Tigers, admitting he'd rather be at Leichhardt as opposed to Lidcombe Oval after starring in the side's win. Galvin's comments came before Jarome Luai spoke in his press conference, stating "I love playing with the kid". The five-eighth was selected by Benji Marshall for the Sharks match after being dropped to NSW Cup the week before following his management's decision to reject a contract offer. The contract call sparked a major fallout with a legal letter issued to the Tigers. However, Galvin put all the behind him and had a massive impact on the fixture, contributing with a try assist early. Speaking to Nine's Emma Lawrence post-game, Galvin described it a "one of the best wins I've been apart of". "I'll be honest, I'd rather be here than at Lidcombe on a Sunday. It was a great win and it's great to come out here and win in front of our fans and I can't be more grateful to be out here with the NRL team again and I loved it," he said. With suspense building over whether Tigers fans would boo Galvin, the five-eighth received nothing of the like. The 19-year-old said there were no nerves. "I don't really get nervous, more excited. I just wanted to get in the game, get in the rhythm of the game, get back into first grade, that's all I really wanted," he said. "It wasn't about me, it was about the team this week and that's what we wanted, to come out and win like we did. To nail that at the end was amazing." After the interview, Galvin embraced coach Marshall, in a big indication there's still a lot of appreciation between the two despite the five-eighth's main reason for leaving being his desire to develop under a different coach. Post-match, Marshall described Galvin's performance as "great". "He just went out and played footy, which is what he's always done," he said. "From that first try that he set up, that calmed the nerves and got everyone into the game and focused on footy." Sitting next to Marshall was Luai. The Tigers halfback posted 'team first' on his Instagram story after news broke of Galvin's intention to departure. The former Panthers star declared he's excited to play alongside Galvin for the rest of the season. "Yeah 100 per cent. Not once have I said that I don't like to play with him, I love playing with the kid, I love what he brings to our team, I love this club and I love this team and I think we all showed that, we love this jersey as well," he said. "I'm proud of the boys and hopefully this builds on throughout the year."

Benji Marshall's stunning act for Lachlan Galvin's family as Luai hits back at dressing room claims

Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall has moved to stop the targeting of Lachlan Galvin and his family after it was confirmed youngster would leave the club as co-captain Jarome Luai hit back at reports around the playing group. Marshall, Luai and Api Koroisau fronted the media two days after news Galvin would not sign an extension and will leave the club at the end of 2026. There have been plenty of reports surrounding the circumstances of Galvin's exit.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". Galvin made a statement and suggested he wanted to develop his game elsewhere in 2027. And the situation wasn't helped when Luai and Sunia Turuva took to social media to react to the drama after Galvin was dropped from the side to take on the Eels this weekend. Both players copped backlash for reacting to the 19-year-old's situation. While the likes of Phil Gould and Andrew Johns have slammed the drama surrounding Marshall and Galvin, the speculation around the club has continued. And Marshall opted to front the media on Thursday to address the situation. After reports Luai and Koroisau fronted Marshall after news of Galvin's pending departure, Marshall hit back and claimed he made the decision to drop the playmaker to NSW Cup this week, “As the coach, I have to decide what I think is best for the team and what’s going to win this week,” Marshall said on Thursday. “On a lot of levels, it is best that he doesn’t play this week. But at the end of the day, that was my call. I made that decision. And I had the support of my senior group, which was important.”

Deep links revealed in 'shock favourite' to sign Galvin

Manly has emerged as the shock favourite to sign runaway Wests Tigers star Lachlan Galvin for 2027 and beyond. A host of clubs are set to make bids for Galvin when he hits the market in November following Monday's dramatic divorce - but the Sea Eagles have two big aces up their sleeve. Firstly, the 19-year-old gun is still extremely close to his former school, Westfield Sports High, where he won a host of trophies and gained Australian Schoolboys selection. He regularly goes back to the campus and helps mentor the school's up-and-coming youngsters. Two of the men on the coaching staff at Westfield when he was there, Steve Hales and Wayne Lambkin, are now on the Manly payroll - and will doubtless be selling the virtues of the club to Galvin when the time comes. And secondly, Galvin's manager Isaac Moses also happens to manage Manly's head coach Anthony Seibold. Tigers officials are fuming with Moses after he snubbed the biggest offer in the club's history for one of their own local juniors. The club saw Galvin as a future captain and was preparing a five-year deal believed to be worth around the $5 million mark. Galvin would be a great gain for the Sea Eagles, with Daly Cherry-Evans on the move next season and his halves partner Luke Brooks in the twilight of his career. Manly also lost a potential long-term halfback in Jamie Humphreys to Souths this year. The Sea Eagles also lost rising star Latu Fainu to the Tigers.

Whisper off the mark as club rules out Galvin offer

Manly have ruled themselves out of the running for boom Tigers playmaker Lachlan Galvin in the wake of the Daly Cherry-Evans circus at the Sea Eagles. Galvin's manager Isaac Moses is known to be considering pulling his star client out of the Tigers the first chance he gets and Manly seemed the perfect fit. Moses also manages Manly coach Anthony Seibold, fuelling speculation that Brookvale was the young star's preferred destination. A Manly insider told me the club will be putting its faith in young up and comer Joey Walsh, who they have been patiently grooming for the past couple of years. Signing Galvin would also put a massive strain on the Sea Eagles' salary cap at a time when they have virtually no wiggle room. A host of clubs are keen on Galvin - but the Sea Eagles aren't one of them.

Deja Vu for the Tigers

Exactly 20 years ago, a magnificent spine of halves Scott Prince and Benji Marshall, fullback Brett Hodgson and hooker Robbie Farah combined to deliver Wests Tigers the unlikeliest of premierships. A 150-1 shot early in the season in the bookies' eyes, the Tigers stormed home to take the title in memorable style. It's been lean pickings since then - but suddenly the Tigers have found a spine to match the heady days of 2005. Halves Lachlan Galvin and Jarome Luai, hooker Api Koroisau and fullback Jahream Bula were all superb as the Tigers thrashed a lethargic Parramatta 32-6. With the quartet calling the shots, the Tigers played magnificent attacking football reminiscent to that used by Tim Sheens in that wonderful winter two decades ago. 

'Disappointing': Tigers want rule set to rob Galvin changed

The Tigers have called for a review of the rule that will rob boom five-eighth Lachlan Galvin of the Dally M Rookie of the Year award. Galvin - the standout new player to hit the NRL scene this season - would be a certainty to take out the prestigious award. But in the fine print of the Dally Ms, there is a rule that states players are automatically out of the running for an award if they are suspended for two or more matches. Galvin took an early guilty plea for a hip-drop tackle early in the season, sitting out two games… and ruling him out of contention for the award that even fans of rival clubs will admit he deserves. "We don't make the rules and I don't want to kick up a massive stink but it is disappointing because Lachlan is a great kid and anything but a dirty player," Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson told Wide World of Sports. "It's a hard call that he's not Rookie of the Year. "It's something of an anomaly in the rules and it would be good if they could look at it for the future. "One thing I will say though - Lachlan will win the Dally M Medal at some stage in the future - that's how good a player he is." Galvin spurred the Tigers to their fine upset win over Manly last week and his coach Benji Marshall also had his say on the youngster. "What does Rookie of the Year even mean, anyway? The notoriety of winning it, what does that actually do for you?" Marshall said. "What he's shown and proven is that he belongs in first grade, and that's more important than an award, to me. "He's a pleasure to coach, he never complains, and what you tell him, he takes it on board. "If you give him a bit of time, he could be something very special."

The 193cm Tigers teen who was axed by Parramatta for being too small

Teenager Lachie Galvin is in the frame to make his debut for the Wests Tigers in their first game of the season, two years after being cut by Parramatta for being too small. Galvin is only 18, but has quickly impressed coach Benji Marshall to the point the first-year coach is not afraid to go all in with the five-eighth for the club’s season opener, an away trip to Canberra in round two following a round one bye. Tigers fans are celebrating the arrival of Jarome Luai for 2025, but the more pressing concern is the four-into-two halves conundrum with the experienced Aidan Sezer, energetic Bud Sullivan, youngster Latu Fainu – who is unavailable for the Raiders game due to suspension – and Galvin. Galvin had a growth spurt after being cut by the Eels and now stands at 193cm and weighs 91kg. He was named player of the tournament at the Australian schoolboys tournament last year, then captained the Australia Schoolboys side to victory against Papua New Guinea. Australian Schoolboys coach Tim White also coached former Tigers Mitchell Moses and Luke Brooks at Holy Cross College, but said Galvin’s size gave him a slight edge over the established pair. “He’s a rarity in that he is tall, deceptively strong, quick, and is just an old-school footy player,” White said. “You can’t coach what Lachie’s got.