SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 27: Royce Hunt of the Wests Tigers takews on the tackle during the round eight NRL match between Wests Tigers and Cronulla Sharks at Leichhardt Oval, on April 27, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
Lachie Galvin shines on NRL return after Wests Tigers drama
Just two weeks after Lachie Galvin rocked the NRL world by telling his junior club he wouldn’t be renewing his contract beyond 2026, the young star played a crucial role in Wests Tigers’ thrilling 20-18 extra-time win over Cronulla.
Following his bombshell announcement, the Tigers demoted the 19-year-old to the NSW Cup, as tensions flared between club CEO Shane Richardson, coach Benji Marshall, and Galvin’s agent Isaac Moses.
But Galvin made a big statement on his return, producing a vital try-saving tackle in the final minute to help seal what he described as “one of the best wins I’ve been a part of” at Leichhardt Oval.
Speaking to Nine after the match, Galvin said,
“I’d much rather be here than playing at Lidcombe on a Sunday. It was amazing to come out, win in front of our fans, and be back with the NRL side.”
He added that he was excited rather than nervous about the comeback, stressing his focus was on helping the team secure victory rather than personal accolades.
Initially, Tigers co-captains Jarome Luai and Api Koroisau had backed Marshall’s decision to send Galvin to reserve grade. But after a poor loss to Parramatta, Marshall reinstated the playmaker just a week later.
Galvin made an immediate impact, setting up the opening try and stepping up when Luai was sidelined for 15 minutes with a head knock.
Despite some online jabs from Luai and winger Sunia Turuva, Luai insisted after the match,
“I love playing with the kid and love what he brings. I’m proud of the boys.”
Although Galvin was initially booed by some fans when his name was announced, he quickly won them over with his performance.
Coach Benji Marshall praised him, saying,
“He calmed the nerves with that first try assist. That’s a season-defining win for us heading into Magic Round.”
Perth expansion could create NRL’s first $2m-a-year player
The NRL’s upcoming Perth expansion in 2027 could pave the way for the league’s first $2 million-a-season player, thanks to expected salary cap increases.
Western Reds great Mark Geyer and player agent Simon Mammino agree that the introduction of the Perth Bears — and PNG in 2028 — will inflate elite player salaries dramatically.
North Sydney Bears board member Billy Moore said the market for top players will explode, making today’s massive deals, like Dylan Brown’s $14 million contract with Newcastle, seem modest by comparison.
Mammino, who negotiated Tino Fa’asuamaleaui’s $12 million contract with Gold Coast, said a conservative estimate would put the salary cap at $15 million by 2028.
“The $2 million deal is definitely possible for an elite half or fullback,” Mammino told AAP.
He explained that with expanded budgets and limited elite talent, clubs could afford to offer astronomical sums to top players.
Geyer predicted Perth would chase marquee names like Lachie Galvin, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Sam Walker, or Jahrome Hughes to headline their roster.
“We could easily see a $2 million player once the new broadcast deal kicks in,” Geyer said.
With Papenhuyzen and Hughes off contract at the end of 2026, and Galvin also set to be available, Perth’s new club is expected to target these elite players heavily.
Meanwhile, Canterbury’s Phil Gould believes playmakers like Nathan Cleary could even command $2.5 million in a bidding war, warning that top talent is currently underpaid relative to their value.
“If Cleary’s a $2 million player, that lifts the market for every emerging halfback too,” Gould said on the Six Tackles with Gus podcast.
