Tigers make shock Galvin call
Lachlan Galvin has been rushed straight back into the starting side for the Wests Tigers after one game in reserve grade following last week's announcement that he wouldn't sign an extension to remain at the club beyond 2026.
There was speculation that Galvin may never return to the NRL side, but that's been emphatically quashed with the gun five-eighth to return against the Sharks in front of a heaving home crowd at Leichhardt Oval.
The news comes on the back of another strong statement from the club who refuted suggestions Justin Matamua and Brandon Tumeth has raised issues with how they'd been treated by the club. Lachlan Galvin has been rushed straight back into the starting side for the Tigers' game against Cronulla. Warren Gannon Credit: News Corp Australia
'The club can confirm that the reports published last night (21st April 2025) by The Sydney Morning Herald naming two Wests Tigers players were not correct,' the statement read.
'Neither player has ever made a complaint to the club or the RLPA. This was confirmed by both the players and the RLPA this morning.
'The story is simply not true.
'We felt it was important to clarify this, as the report has caused unnecessary stress and hurt to the players and their families.'
Galvin replaces Adam Doueihi in the halves, while Royce Hunt returns on the bench against a Sharks side that will be without Toby Rudolf (ankle).
There's big news on the northern beaches where Tom Trbojevic has been named to return from a knee injury in a huge boost for the Sea Eagles who are looking to bounce back against the defending premiers.
Trbojevic's returns sees Lehi Hopoate shift to the wing, with Jazz Tevaga replacing Jake Trbojevic (head knock) at lock, while Jake Simpkin starts at hooker.
Penrith will be without their starting hooker after Mitch Kenny copped a two-game ban for a hip-drop tackle, with Luke Sommerton named to start.
Michael Maguire has turned to Selwyn Cobbo at fullback in place of the injured Reece Walsh, with Deine Mariner recalled on the wing for the showdown with the Bulldogs who welcome back Harry Hayes onto the bench.
Speedster Dom Young has been dropped to the bench, with Billy Smith set to start for the Roosters in their Anzac Day clash against the Dragons who have named Sione Finau on the left wing.
There's mixed news for the Storm who have lost Jack Howarth to a serious shoulder injury, but they do get Nick Meaney back at centre, with man mountain Nelson Asofa-Solomona listed in the reserves.
They face a Rabbitohs side that will unleash Latrell Mitchell at fullback following a couple of quiet games at five-eighth, with livewire Jye Gray named on the bench.
David Fifita's hamstring injury appears to have been blown out of proportion after he was named on the Titans bench, with speedster Alofiana Khan-Pereira also cleared to return after missing a month with a hamstring issue.
The Dolphins will be without Jeremy Marshall-King for at least another week, but Max Plath has been named despite leaving last week's game early with a foot injury.
And Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is back on deck for the Warriors, while Dylan Lucas has been named to return from injury in a big boost for the battling Knights.
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Perth Now
23 minutes ago
- Perth Now
Charlie who? Finance broker readies for Tigers debut
Drumming up new business has been put on hold for finance broker Charlie Murray as he makes himself known to teammates before his fairytale Wests Tigers debut. Murray spent time in Gold Coast and Melbourne's systems before being brought down to Sydney by the Tigers on a train-and-trial deal this year. He's only just settled into the joint and learned all his teammates' names, but Murray is now preparing to come off the bench for Benji Marshall's side against Penrith on Sunday. The Narromine-born forward hasn't yet had the confidence to offer his financial expertise to his Tigers teammates before finding his feet in first grade. "I only just got to know them, I think some of them only just worked out my name was Charlie," Murray said on Wednesday. Murray nearly gave the game away before a Tigers lifeline convinced him to give breaking into the NRL one last crack this year. With as many as 66 reserve-grade games under his belt, is a fair wait for a chance in the big league. "I think I played in nearly 70 Cup games so when those numbers start to add up you think it might have got away," Murray said. "Last year I was scratching my head a bit but then I got given this opportunity at the end of the year and I've just taken it with both hands." The 23-year-old says after leaving the Burleigh Bears for the Tigers, he's happy for his brokering career to take a back seat, at least temporarily. "I was going to stay in Queensland but then this came and I just thought one more opportunity, I'll have one last crack," Murray said. "I've been in Sydney, Gold Coast, Melbourne, so you've gotta get your stuff together and start thinking about jobs and career. "So I'm like 'Oh, one more crack, I'm 23, I'm not too old,' but then you want to get started with your life." The forward is confident his long experience learning off players and coaches at multiple clubs will set him up well for the footy-based challenges he'll face on Sunday. "You got Cam Munster, Harry Grant, all those big guys," Murray said. "I only did pre-seasons there but I learned a lot from Craig (Bellamy) so it was a great experience." Murray's family is now largely based in Laurieton on the NSW mid-north coast and says their support was crucial in encouraging him to persevere with his rugby league aspirations. "Parents (and) partner over the moon, they've ridden the highs and lows with me so it's a credit to them," Murray said.
The Advertiser
8 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Magpies ponder selection posers for King's Birthday
Dan McStay could return for Collingwood and Bobby Hill is a health watch ahead of the AFL King's Birthday blockbuster against Melbourne. The Magpies will have at least two changes, with Lachie Schultz out for five to six weeks with a hamstring injury and Pat Lipinski in concussion protocols. Hill, the 2023 Norm Smith Medallist, was a notable absentee from training on Wednesday because of illness in his family. McStay is close to returning from the knee injury he suffered in the Anzac Day win over Essendon. Coach Craig McRae is hopeful Hill will play his 100th game, against the Demons. "At this stage, barring him getting sick, that will be the case," McRae said. "He's a little infectious guy that we all love very much - he's a bit of a prankster, too. "We love how electrifying he can be. He can really give the X-factor to our team." Collingwood will have two more training sessions ahead of Monday and McRae said McStay was close to an immediate AFL recall. "There's a big chance Dan will be available. We're not quite ready to announce that - he still has a little bit to go," McRae said. "His magnet is getting really close to being considered." Collingwood will also consider a second ruck to back up Darcy Cameron, given the form of Demons captain Max Gawn. Despite Cameron also having a big season, McRae called Gawn "the best ruckman in the competition. "I have huge respect for Max Gawn ... I still love Darcy, more," McRae said. Sitting on top of the ladder, Collingwood will start favourites against Melbourne. But despite inaccuracy costing them dearly in the loss to St Kilda last weekend, the Demons have rediscovered their mojo and are a massive threat. "The form line, it stacks up. They have tinkered with their game a bit, they're moving the ball a bit faster - they're in good form," McRae said. It will be a massive game for Demons start Christian Petracca, who suffered serious internal injuries in the corresponding game a year ago. "He's a massive threat ... we'll treat him with as much respect as we should," McRae said. McRae is rapt with his own team's form and said his players' ability to lead themselves stacks up against when he was part of Brisbane's 2001-03 three-peat under coach Leigh Matthews. He said sometimes the Collingwood coaches need to stay out of the way of the players. "I did learn that from Leigh - he used to call it the snowball, when it's coming down the hill ... get out of the way," he said. Monday will also be the Big Freeze fundraiser for the FightMND charity, with former Melbourne coach Neale Daniher addressing the Magpies on Wednesday. Daniher, diagnosed with MND more than a decade ago, cannot speak and used eye-recognition technology for his speech. McRae's brother-in-law Pat also has the disease and was another VIP guest at Collingwood on Wednesday. "This one is pretty special - close to home. Our players are super-excited for it, you see them today warming up - all knowing it's a big day, they all have the (Big Freeze) beanies on at training," McRae said. "We want to play the game, not the occasion, which we talk about a lot - but it's a big occasion." Dan McStay could return for Collingwood and Bobby Hill is a health watch ahead of the AFL King's Birthday blockbuster against Melbourne. The Magpies will have at least two changes, with Lachie Schultz out for five to six weeks with a hamstring injury and Pat Lipinski in concussion protocols. Hill, the 2023 Norm Smith Medallist, was a notable absentee from training on Wednesday because of illness in his family. McStay is close to returning from the knee injury he suffered in the Anzac Day win over Essendon. Coach Craig McRae is hopeful Hill will play his 100th game, against the Demons. "At this stage, barring him getting sick, that will be the case," McRae said. "He's a little infectious guy that we all love very much - he's a bit of a prankster, too. "We love how electrifying he can be. He can really give the X-factor to our team." Collingwood will have two more training sessions ahead of Monday and McRae said McStay was close to an immediate AFL recall. "There's a big chance Dan will be available. We're not quite ready to announce that - he still has a little bit to go," McRae said. "His magnet is getting really close to being considered." Collingwood will also consider a second ruck to back up Darcy Cameron, given the form of Demons captain Max Gawn. Despite Cameron also having a big season, McRae called Gawn "the best ruckman in the competition. "I have huge respect for Max Gawn ... I still love Darcy, more," McRae said. Sitting on top of the ladder, Collingwood will start favourites against Melbourne. But despite inaccuracy costing them dearly in the loss to St Kilda last weekend, the Demons have rediscovered their mojo and are a massive threat. "The form line, it stacks up. They have tinkered with their game a bit, they're moving the ball a bit faster - they're in good form," McRae said. It will be a massive game for Demons start Christian Petracca, who suffered serious internal injuries in the corresponding game a year ago. "He's a massive threat ... we'll treat him with as much respect as we should," McRae said. McRae is rapt with his own team's form and said his players' ability to lead themselves stacks up against when he was part of Brisbane's 2001-03 three-peat under coach Leigh Matthews. He said sometimes the Collingwood coaches need to stay out of the way of the players. "I did learn that from Leigh - he used to call it the snowball, when it's coming down the hill ... get out of the way," he said. Monday will also be the Big Freeze fundraiser for the FightMND charity, with former Melbourne coach Neale Daniher addressing the Magpies on Wednesday. Daniher, diagnosed with MND more than a decade ago, cannot speak and used eye-recognition technology for his speech. McRae's brother-in-law Pat also has the disease and was another VIP guest at Collingwood on Wednesday. "This one is pretty special - close to home. Our players are super-excited for it, you see them today warming up - all knowing it's a big day, they all have the (Big Freeze) beanies on at training," McRae said. "We want to play the game, not the occasion, which we talk about a lot - but it's a big occasion." Dan McStay could return for Collingwood and Bobby Hill is a health watch ahead of the AFL King's Birthday blockbuster against Melbourne. The Magpies will have at least two changes, with Lachie Schultz out for five to six weeks with a hamstring injury and Pat Lipinski in concussion protocols. Hill, the 2023 Norm Smith Medallist, was a notable absentee from training on Wednesday because of illness in his family. McStay is close to returning from the knee injury he suffered in the Anzac Day win over Essendon. Coach Craig McRae is hopeful Hill will play his 100th game, against the Demons. "At this stage, barring him getting sick, that will be the case," McRae said. "He's a little infectious guy that we all love very much - he's a bit of a prankster, too. "We love how electrifying he can be. He can really give the X-factor to our team." Collingwood will have two more training sessions ahead of Monday and McRae said McStay was close to an immediate AFL recall. "There's a big chance Dan will be available. We're not quite ready to announce that - he still has a little bit to go," McRae said. "His magnet is getting really close to being considered." Collingwood will also consider a second ruck to back up Darcy Cameron, given the form of Demons captain Max Gawn. Despite Cameron also having a big season, McRae called Gawn "the best ruckman in the competition. "I have huge respect for Max Gawn ... I still love Darcy, more," McRae said. Sitting on top of the ladder, Collingwood will start favourites against Melbourne. But despite inaccuracy costing them dearly in the loss to St Kilda last weekend, the Demons have rediscovered their mojo and are a massive threat. "The form line, it stacks up. They have tinkered with their game a bit, they're moving the ball a bit faster - they're in good form," McRae said. It will be a massive game for Demons start Christian Petracca, who suffered serious internal injuries in the corresponding game a year ago. "He's a massive threat ... we'll treat him with as much respect as we should," McRae said. McRae is rapt with his own team's form and said his players' ability to lead themselves stacks up against when he was part of Brisbane's 2001-03 three-peat under coach Leigh Matthews. He said sometimes the Collingwood coaches need to stay out of the way of the players. "I did learn that from Leigh - he used to call it the snowball, when it's coming down the hill ... get out of the way," he said. Monday will also be the Big Freeze fundraiser for the FightMND charity, with former Melbourne coach Neale Daniher addressing the Magpies on Wednesday. Daniher, diagnosed with MND more than a decade ago, cannot speak and used eye-recognition technology for his speech. McRae's brother-in-law Pat also has the disease and was another VIP guest at Collingwood on Wednesday. "This one is pretty special - close to home. Our players are super-excited for it, you see them today warming up - all knowing it's a big day, they all have the (Big Freeze) beanies on at training," McRae said. "We want to play the game, not the occasion, which we talk about a lot - but it's a big occasion."
Sydney Morning Herald
9 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Bulldogs fans will see their long-term halfback on Monday. It's not Lachlan Galvin
'We got 45,000 to this game last year and I think we can do better this year. So, really hoping a big crowd turns up and that'll be a great experience for our young reserve grade side too. Mitch Woods is going to have his first game. Young Mitch Woods, people have seen him on the horizon for a while. 'He's going to have his first start in the NSW Cup on the weekend because we wanted him to experience Accor Stadium with a good crowd there. There'll probably be 30 or 40,000 there to watch the reserve grade in the afternoon. Make a day's entertainment out of it and come out and watch the football.' Gould has assured Woods that Galvin's arrival won't impede his progress towards an NRL career. The Bulldogs are yet to work out whether Galvin's best long-term position is five-eighth, halfback or in the back row. Galvin had success in the latter position as a junior at Western Suburbs Magpies, as part of the 2022 Harold Matthews Cup title-winning team. The Bulldogs are hoping to break the record attendance of 65,305 fans for a standalone NRL fixture, a mark set during their Good Friday win over South Sydney. If they achieve that ambition, the club could be on track to surpass AFL's Sydney Swans as the city's most-attended football team by the end of the season. The Bulldogs have already enjoyed a win over the Swans in securing the signature of Woods. The St Patrick's College Strathfield graduate was part of the Swans academy, but ultimately chose league over Australian Rules. Loading Gould has taken a personal interest in the development of Woods, who he has previously compared to arguably the greatest Bulldog of them all, former No.7 Steve Mortimer. The Bulldogs also have another promising playmaker in Cassius Tia, prompting the welcome headache of how best to utilise Galvin, Matt Burton, Tia and Woods when all of them are in a position to contest for first-grade spots. A decision on whether Galvin plays the Eels won't be made until closer to game day. 'He's virtually been in there all day, every day,' Gould said. 'He's been in and around the coaches and the video room and he won't go home. They can't get him to go home. He's on the training field for an hour after everyone's finished …
