Wests Tigers five-eighth Lachlan Galvin has broken his silence on his decision to leave at the end of next season, expressing his gratitude to the club but insisting he has made the move in the best interests of his career.
Galvin, the breakout star of last season, informed the Tigers last Thursday that he was not interested in extending his future beyond his current 2026 deal, amid speculation that the club was ready to weigh in with a new contract worth up to $6 million.
Galvin’s decision to seek greener pastures prompted Tigers coach Benji Marshall to wield the axe on Tuesday — the teenage prodigy was dropped to NSW Cup after a select group of senior players raised concerns with club powerbrokers over events in recent days.
Galvin refused to be critical of Marshall’s call and refuted suggestions that he already had a deal in place at a rival club for 2027.
“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.
“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.
“The club were eager to get a deal done and so they called a meeting with my management last week. I could’ve mulled over this decision all season, but I didn’t think that was the right thing to do.
“I thought it would be best for everyone to make the call now rather than drag it out. Any suggestion that I already have a deal done at another club for 2027 is simply not true.
“I’m extremely grateful to be able to go to work every day as an NRL footballer and the Wests Tigers have played a massive role in the opportunity I have to play this game.
“I just feel that as I move into an important period of my development as a half, that I continue to build my game at a different club. Again, I know this might be hard for some people to understand, but I make this decision in the best interests of my career.”
It was a meeting between Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson and Galvin’s agent Isaac Moses last Thursday which brought the young playmaker’s current position to a head.
As previously reported, Richardson had every intention of forwarding Galvin a massive $6 million deal, only to be told by Moses that they would prefer that no offer be submitted.
This masthead has since learned that Moses took with him a list of grievances that he was willing to share with Richardson which related to Marshall’s coaching methods and tutelage of Galvin over the past 12 months.
In addition to Galvin breaking his silence, his decision to leave the Wests Tigers was also supported by his father, James.
James backed his 19-year-old son’s decision to reject overtures from the Tigers and said Lachlan would continue to do his best for the Tigers for the remainder of his time at the club.
“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.
“As a family we’re comfortable that Lachie is backing himself as a young man. What I know is that Lachie will continue to do his best for the club for the remainder of his time there.”
Galvin will play for Western Suburbs against Parramatta in the NSW Cup on Easter Monday after a handful of senior players approached Marshall on Monday night to air their concerns over the teenager’s decision to take his future elsewhere.
It is understood Jarome Luai and Terrell May were among them. In a further surprise, Adam Doueihi was named at halfback with Luai at five-eighth in place of Galvin against Parramatta on Monday afternoon.
While it’s a huge win for the off-contract Doueihi in his 100th NRL game, there is an element of major risk from Marshall to axe one of his best attacking players in Galvin.
The 19-year-old has quickly become an indispensable part of the club and there were genuine hopes that his budding partnership with Luai would help the Tigers end their finals drought.
The signs have been promising through the opening six rounds but the Tigers will continue their top-eight campaign with a new halves pairing.
Galvin, meanwhile, has vowed to accept Marshall’s decision and continue to do what is best for the team.
“Benji has made a call today to leave me out of the NRL squad and, of course, I’d love to be out there with the boys, but that’s his decision as the head coach which I have to accept,” Galvin said.
“Benji said I was playing in NSW Cup this weekend. I said that whatever you think is best for the team I’m okay with.”
