‘Cleared that up’: Galvin ‘going nowhere’ as teen commits to Tigers after emergency meeting
Young playmaker Lachlan Galvin has reportedly committed to the Wests Tigers, putting an end to weeks of speculation around his future.
Galvin is signed until the end of 2026. However his manager requested an early release last week before it was later reported the 18-year-old had told teammates he wanted out of the club following their 56-14 loss to the Dragons in Round 14.
But after meeting with Galvin’s parents on Wednesday, Tigers CEO Shane Richardson toldThe Sydney Morning Herald that the talented five-eighth — who will miss Saturday’s game due to a hand injury — will stay at the club.
“His parents are 100 per cent behind the club, and 100 per cent supportive of Lachie being at the club,” Richardson said.
“We had a really positive meeting. They made a point at the beginning of the meeting, which I thought was really important, that they were unbelievably happy with the way we’ve handled his hand (injury).
“They were involved with the specialist, and they haven’t got one complaint about the medical staff when it comes to his hand.”
Galvin has reportedly been receiving painkilling injections to help him play through a hand injury over the last month. But the club has decided to rest him for Saturday’s clash with the Titans.
That revelation sparked questions to be raised over the club’s handling of the teenager’s welfare.
Speaking to the media at Leichhardt Oval on Friday, Tigers coach Benji Marshall hit back at those concerns.
“Lachie is 18-years old, he has played every game straight bar the two he got suspended and it happens to a lot of kids. They go through ups and downs and sometimes they need a spell,” he said.
“We decided it was this week — regardless of the stuff that went on — he was going to have a rest this week anyway.
“The decision to rest him this week is more about the fact that as an 18-year-old you go through ups and downs and lulls, and he’s been carrying a bit of an injury in his hand so just a rest and he’ll be back next week.
“It doesn’t matter what other people say (about the injury management). We’ve got a pretty handy medical department here and we make decisions based on the best interests of our players.
“You can say whatever you want but unless you are inside these four walls then you can’t understand what’s happening with injuries.”
Marshall also addressed the report that suggested Galvin told his teammates he “can’t wait to get out” of the club.
“I don’t think he did (say that), to be honest,” Marshall said.
“We’ve cleared that up. ‘Richo’ went and met with his parents. They’ve made it clear he wants to stay, and he wants to be here.
“He’s with us with our vision moving forward. That’s all that needs to be said. He’s going nowhere.”
Galvin, who debuted in Round 2, has long been regarded an NRL star of the future. But it was reported there’s been concerns from his camp around whether being at the Tigers — back-to-back wooden spooners — is good for his development.
Several clubs were said to be interested in his services should he become a free agent. But now he looks set to partner three-time premiership-winning Panther Jarome Luai in the halves when he joins the Tigers.
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