In a seismic move that could reshape the NRL halves landscape, the Parramatta Eels have pulled off a stunning coup by signing Wests Tigers young gun Lachlan Galvin on a massive multi-year deal, believed to be worth close to $6 million over six seasons.
The Eels, reeling from the shock departure of star five-eighth Dylan Brown to the Newcastle Knights on a $13 million mega deal, have wasted no time finding his replacement — and they’ve made an emphatic statement with the capture of Galvin, a Parramatta junior and one of the NRL’s most exciting playmaking prospects.
Galvin, 19, was under contract at the Tigers until the end of 2026, but Parramatta have negotiated a release package reportedly too good for the joint venture club to refuse, convincing Galvin with a long-term offer that mirrors the kind of financial security and faith shown in Brown before his sudden exit.
“This is a massive day for our club,” Eels head coach Jason Ryles said. “Lachlan is a generational talent, a kid who grew up supporting the Eels, and to bring him home and build around him for the future is a huge win for us.”
The signing comes just weeks after media speculation linked Galvin to a potential return to his junior club, with NRL 360 panellists and league insiders highlighting the Eels’ significant war chest following Brown’s exit and urging them to go all-in on the Tigers prodigy.
Veteran journalist Phil Rothfield went as far as to say the Eels should “offer Galvin a Newcastle-type contract” — and it appears that’s exactly what Parramatta have done.
“People in the game, including Phil Gould, have tipped this kid to win premierships,” Rothfield said. “He’s that special. Parramatta knew they couldn’t afford to miss this opportunity.”
Galvin’s development over the past 12 months has been rapid, with glimpses of elite vision, composure and game management well beyond his years. While some experts questioned whether he was ready to be the cornerstone of a club, the Eels clearly believe he’s the right man to lead them forward alongside Mitchell Moses.
“There was a lot of talk about whether we needed a marquee No.6 or spread the money around — but when a player of Galvin’s talent becomes available, you don’t think twice,” said Eels football boss Mark O’Neill. “He’s a perfect fit for what we’re building here.”
The move also delivers a major blow to the Wests Tigers, who had hoped to lock Galvin into a long-term extension amid mounting pressure on their rebuild. It’s understood the Tigers tabled a lucrative offer, but ultimately could not match the Eels’ financial power or emotional pull of returning home.
With Galvin now locked in, Parramatta are expected to turn their recruitment focus to other areas, particularly hooker, where they’ve lacked stability since Reed Mahoney’s departure. Big names like Brandon Smith, Jayden Brailey, and Blake Mozer are all on the radar.
Still, the signing of Galvin is a major statement that Parramatta refuse to be defined by the loss of Dylan Brown — and are more determined than ever to shape a new premiership window.
