Lachlan Galvin Poised to Join Bulldogs Despite Parramatta Push
Rising NRL star Lachlan Galvin is reportedly on track to sign with the Canterbury Bulldogs, despite calls from league great Andrew Johns urging him to choose Parramatta instead.
The 19-year-old is expected to part ways with the Wests Tigers in the near future, with both the Bulldogs and Eels vying for his signature. Both clubs are believed to have offered Galvin around $750,000 per season—significantly less than what the Tigers had initially tabled.
While early indications suggested Galvin was leaning toward a move to the Eels, that preference appears to have shifted recently. Nine’s Danny Weidler reports that Galvin has informed the Bulldogs of his intention to join them, though an official deal has yet to be finalized.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Galvin is expected to join Canterbury once his release from the Tigers is complete, with a $165,000 transfer fee being negotiated. The promising playmaker is tipped to sign a three-and-a-half year contract that would keep him at Belmore until the end of the 2028 season.
Initially, Bulldogs general manager Phil Gould downplayed his club’s interest in Galvin, but recent developments suggest a change of heart. Speaking on Nine’s Sunday Footy Show, Paul Gallen, who regularly works alongside Gould, commented on the situation.
“Gus said, ‘Nah, we’re not looking at him,’ but things change quickly in rugby league,” Gallen said. “I think the Dogs have a great side, but if there’s one area they can improve, it’s in the halves.”
If the move goes through, Galvin could wear the No. 7 jersey and form a halves partnership with Matt Burton. There has also been speculation that Burton could shift to fullback or centre to make room for another young talent, Mitchell Woods.
However, league Immortal Andrew Johns questioned the idea of Galvin playing halfback.
“He’s a five-eighth, not a halfback,” Johns stated. “Long-term, he could evolve into a ball-playing lock, but he’s not the guy to steer a team around. Let’s just get the deal done already.”
Gallen echoed Johns’ thoughts and suggested that Galvin could have developed more alongside Eels halfback Mitchell Moses.
“It depends on what’s best for Galvin’s growth,” Gallen said. “Learning from someone like Mitch Moses could have accelerated his development more than what he’d get at the Bulldogs. But either club could be a strong fit.”
Since making his NRL debut in 2023, Galvin has already racked up 31 appearances in first grade.
