Paraphrased Version:
Just a week after dropping him, Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall is reportedly preparing to recall Lachlan Galvin for this weekend’s clash against the Sharks. The move comes amid ongoing off-field drama surrounding the 19-year-old playmaker and what appears to be a media ban on him and his NSW Cup teammates.
Galvin, who played for the Western Suburbs Magpies over the weekend, was met with cheers from the crowd despite his side losing to a strong Eels reserves team. However, the attention didn’t stop there—he was escorted off the field by security, and players seemingly avoided speaking to the media. This followed allegations from Galvin’s camp that he felt bullied by teammates after rejecting a contract extension, which triggered negative posts about him on social media.
Tensions further escalated after the Tigers’ 38-22 loss to Parramatta on Monday. During the post-match press conference, when a reporter asked a question about the Galvin situation, CEO Shane Richardson abruptly cut him off to prevent Marshall from answering. The journalist pushed back, calling it a fair question, especially given the current controversy, to which co-captain Apisai Koroisau eventually responded: “We’re here to play footy, we just have to focus on that.”
Reporter Michael Carayannis, who was present at the press conference, described the moment as highly unusual but speculated that the club is being cautious due to the legal complaint reportedly filed by Galvin’s representatives concerning his treatment.
Despite the ongoing saga, Marshall is expected to name Galvin in his NRL lineup this week. The Tigers clearly missed the young five-eighth’s spark in their attack against the Eels, with new signing Jarome Luai struggling to lead the team creatively.
The decision to reinstate Galvin marks a significant U-turn from Marshall, who initially demoted the teenager to reserve grade. The timing of the recall will likely raise questions—particularly whether it was a reaction to the team’s poor performance or the mounting pressure on the coach, with the club now holding a 3-4 record to start the season.
Interestingly, after Monday’s game, Koroisau revealed he hadn’t spoken to Galvin since the controversy broke three days earlier. But Marshall downplayed any suggestions of a rift, saying he saw no issues with how Galvin was training with his teammates.
If Galvin is officially named, Marshall will face renewed scrutiny over why the five-eighth was dropped for just one game. Meanwhile, speculation about Galvin’s future continues, with strong links to a move to Parramatta in 2027. While the Eels have made no secret of their interest, Bulldogs football boss Phil Gould has insisted his club has no plans to pursue Galvin.
