Latest news with #LachieGalvin
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Benji Marshall speaks out after eye-opening vision of Lachie Galvin at Bulldogs HQ
Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall has denied suggestions the club is "disappointed" about losing Lachie Galvin, as the first footage emerged of the teenage playmaker at Bulldogs training on Friday. Amateur vision captured the 19-year-old decked out in Canterbury gear at the Bulldogs' Belmore headquaters, despite the fact his high-profile switch from the Tigers has yet to be officially confirmed. The deal is expected to be rubber-stamped this week after the Dogs reportedly agreed to pay a $175,000 release fee to secure the five-eighth's services immediately. It's understood the 19-year-old has put pen to paper on a contract with the Dogs worth $750,000 per-season that will keep him at the club until at least the end of 2028. reports that the delay in finalising the Galvin deal has centred around "a non-disparagement clause" that the Tigers wanted signed, before officially granting his release. It's essentially a legal move that prevents Galvin from discussing his exit from the Tigers, following previous reports the 19-year-old was considering legal action against the club over accusations of bullying. The Bulldogs have reportedly agreed to the clause in what appears to be the final step towards making the move official after Galvin rejected a $5 million contract extension with the Tigers last month. Galvin's presence at Bulldogs HQ comes after he was excused from Wests Tigers training, having been left out Marshall's squad for Saturday's round 13 clash in Townsville against the Cowboys. Galvin already training with the Bulldogs even though no official release made public by the Tigers and no official announcement from the Bulldogs — Rob Bechara (@BecharaRob) May 30, 2025 Marshall did his best to sidestep questions around Galvin when asked about his former playmaker during Friday's press conference. The Tigers coach tried to put a positive spin on the situation, despite the fact they've lost one of brightest young talents in the game, with Marshall and the team eager to move on from the ongoing soap opera. "I guess everyone's probably a little bit sick of talking about it and it being reported," Marshall said. "But we're just focused on the game. I know it's a cliched thing to say, but we have to be. It's been a great week at training. "Everyone's looking forward to just playing. We had a week off last week with the bye. The energy around the place has been really good, really positive." The fact the Tigers were willing to offer the 19-year-old such a lucrative deal proves he was viewed as the future of the club and a player to build the team around. But Marshall remained bullish when asked if the Tigers were disappointed to lose the prodigious talent, whom he handed an NRL debut to last year. "I don't know if disappointment's the word," Marshall said. "We like the players we've got, we love the squad we've got, we're excited about some of the young players coming through and for us. "We want to try and make a mark on the competition this year. The squad we've got, we're confident we can do that." Galvin's presence at Bulldogs training would appear to be the end of an ugly saga that saw him targeted in social media posts from teammates Jarome Luai and Sunia Turuva, prompting the legal threat from the teenager's camp. Marshall has turned to another 19-year-old in Heath Mason to take Galvin's spot at five-eighth alongside Luai for the clash against the Cowboys. Mason began the season at fullback in the absence of Jahream Bula but earns his first NRL start in the halves. And he's been given a simple game plan from the Tigers coach. "We just need our halves to do their job and control the field position," Marshall said. "We've seen some great glimpses of play from some of our players this year, and we're coming up against a pretty good Cowboys team that have got a lot of great attacking players." with AAP
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'On the nose': Bulldogs State of Origin rep facing the axe once Galvin arrives
Reed Mahoney is reportedly on the nose with Canterbury Bulldogs officials, and could be the odd man out once Lachie Galvin arrives. Galvin is set to make an immediate switch from the Tigers to Bulldogs on a three-and-a-half year deal. The 19-year-old five-eighth rejected a contract extension with the Tigers earlier this season, and the joint-venture has now agreed to allow him to leave the club immediately. Galvin informed the Bulldogs on Sunday that he's rejecting an offer from Parramatta to join the Belmore club. The Bulldogs will pay the Tigers a $165,000 transfer fee, and the move could be finalised this week. "What I understand of the situation right at the moment is that Lachlan Galvin has expressed his desire to play with the Bulldogs," Canterbury general manager Phil Gould said on Channel 9 on Sunday. "We still haven't closed off on a deal yet, and there are still some things that have got to be worked out with the Wests Tigers. I would hope that in the next 48 hours we have far greater clarity." Where Galvin fits into the Bulldogs line-up remains to be seen. Halves Matt Burton and Toby Sexton have led the Dogs to the top of the NRL ladder after 12 rounds, however Burton might be shuffled to fullback or the centres. Current fullback Connor Tracey could be moved to the wing, while Stephen Crichton could play fullback if Burton is moved to the centres. However there's also a possibility that Mahoney could be the odd man out. Canterbury officials are said to be growing tired of the hooker's ill-discipline, and he tiptoes around being sin-binned seemingly every game. Even before the Galvin news broke, there were reports the Bulldogs were keen to get Bailey Hayward more playing time at hooker. If Sexton is shuffled to No.9 or the utility role on the bench, it could be bad news for Mahoney. The 27-year-old, who was part of Billy Slater's Queensland State of Origin camps last season, is under contract until the end of 2026. But the Bulldogs might be keen to move him on early, and the addition of Galvin would seemingly make that more of a possibility. Bulldogs great Braith Anasta said on Fox League on Sunday night: "I hear Reed Mahoney is a chance of being moved on. That's not from any good source but I've heard that over the past 12 months." It's also seemingly bad news for Sexton. Even if the halfback retains the No.7 role for the rest of this season, he's uncontracted past 2025. REED TO BE HOOKEDThe rumour will not go away that hooker Reed Mahoney is facing the chop at Canterbury because of his lack of discipline. That was again so evident on Thursday night in the NRL ladder leaders' big loss against the Dolphins. — Trevor T (@trevajct) May 24, 2025 He's a liability and has the ability to swing momentum completely against the dogs with no power to bring it back. Milky into hooker sounds great anyway — K (@klaysworld) May 24, 2025 So Reed Mahoney's days at Belmore seem to be ending soon. Will Tallyn Da Silva join his good mate Lachie Galvin at the Dogs as Mahoney's long term replacement? Like sands through the hour glass ....... — Ross Martin (@RossMartin1960) May 25, 2025 Hearing the Reed Mahoney is on the nose at the Bulldogs - any money on Tallyn Da Silva joining his best mate there next year? — Bill Hasler (@BillHasler69) May 25, 2025 Multiple reports have emerged in recent times that Bulldogs officials have been 'shopping' Mahoney to rival clubs. Gould has constantly denied the rumours, but he also stated recently the club had no interest in Galvin. On Sunday night he said the "goalposts had changed" in recent days. "All of a sudden we got a call on Tuesday from them (the Tigers) to say that there was a chance they were negotiating a release with the Tigers and he would be available virtually now," Gould explained. 'That's something we had to give consideration. Previously we would have had to wait 18 months to consider him. I think I also said three or four years down the track when you see the player I think he is going to become, he will certainly be of interest to everyone.' RELATED: NRL world saddened over new revelation about Steve Mortimer Roosters flip Origin debate on its head as Shark banned for ugly act Gould added: "He's very versatile. He's played fullback, five-eighth, halfback. The first time I saw him play, I thought he'd end up a back-rower. "I know he's going to be a very good player and we'd like to be a part of his development He's extremely gifted, he's a creative player. He's big and tall ... what I know is you win comps with talented players. And our aim is to be competitive to win premierships. And Lachlan Galvin is a player you want at your club down the track."
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Walters snubs Bulldogs in call on Galvin's future amid $2 million 'clip' for Tigers
Former Broncos coach Kevin Walters reckons Lachie Galvin would be better to choose Parramatta over Canterbury, with a decision over the wantaway Wests Tigers star's NRL future imminent. And Michael Ennis says the fact Galvin appears willing to sacrifice $2 million to leave is another massive 'clip' for Benji Marshall's side. The Bulldogs have emerged as favourites for Galvin's signature, following reports he's been granted an immediate release from the Tigers, despite being contracted for one more season. However, the Eels are also right in the hunt for Galvin's prized signature, with both clubs tabling offers this week worth around $750,000-a-season. reports that Galvin's representatives met with both Parramatta and Canterbury officials on Wednesday, and an announcement about his future could be made this weekend. It's understood the Tigers will allow him to leave immediately, if a rival club pays a $165,000 transfer fee. Galvin grew up in the Parramatta area and supported the Eels as a kid, with a move to Jason Ryles' side making a lot of sense. The Eels will have a vacancy at five-eighth next season when Dylan Brown moves to Newcastle on a 10-year, $13 million deal. And Galvin could form a lethal halves partnership with Eels skipper Mitchell Moses if he chooses to go there. Galvin also has links to the Bulldogs with his former Westfield Sports High School teacher Luke Vella one of coach Cameron Ciraldo's assistants at Canterbury. But the 19-year-old's chances of playing in his favoured position of five-eighth are far less straightforward at the Bulldogs, with Matt Burton unlikely to vacate that role. The most likely scenario would be Galvin taking Toby Sexton's No.7 jersey at the Dogs, with GM of football Phil Gould only fuelling that speculation after failing to guarantee the future of the off-contract halfback. However, Walters says the Eels would be a better move for the youngster and allow him to continue to develop in his natural position alongside one of the game's best halfbacks. 'Parramatta, it makes more sense for him to go to Parramatta... if you're a young five-eighth and you're looking for someone to tag up with, (it's) Mitchell Moses,' Walters told Fox League. "I'd be leaning towards that.' However, former Bulldogs premiership winner Michael Ennis says he has a "gut feeling" the teenage playmaker will end up at Belmore, under the tutelage of Canterbury coach Ciraldo. Ennis pointed to Gould's comments that Galvin was the best teenager he'd ever seen, despite the Bulldogs supremo initially declaring they had no interest in signing the youngster. 'Gus (made that claim) a number of weeks ago, then you go 'he's going to be a chance of ending up at the Bulldogs' and here we are,' Ennis said on Fox League. 'My gut feeling says he is going to be at Canterbury. I think he may end up at Canterbury and I think it will be a huge signing. 'Canterbury at the moment (are) leading the competition... doing so many things on and off the field so well. Cameron Ciraldo a terrific coach and you are seeing players play their best footy under him. Players who were elite are finding improvements in their game." RELATED: Legend's Origin call backfires as Manly flops expose grim DCE truth Fresh calls for NRL action after Bulldogs robbed by 'deadset farce' Staggering new twist after Billy Slater snubs Queensland player Galvin's current deal with the Tigers is worth around $350,000-a-year and the reported contract offers from the Dogs and Eels would represent a massive upgrade for the youngster. But it's still well short of the $6 million, five-year offer he turned down to stay with the Tigers long-term. And Ennis says the fact Galvin would be willing to sacrifice around $2 million to leave the Tigers is another massive blow to the joint-venture club. 'That leads it all back to the original decision, which I thought was such a clip for the Tigers, that Lachlan Galvin didn't take up a $1.2 million deal from the Tigers for five seasons," Ennis said. "Because he, I am paraphrasing, wanted to develop his game. To then go to Parramatta or Canterbury for $750,000, a $2 million difference just to leave. This story is enormous and it looks like it is going to come to a head in the next 24 or 48 hours.'
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fresh blow for Wests Tigers as 'popular' figure set to follow Galvin and leave
Hot on the heels of the Wests Tigers telling Lachie Galvin he's free to leave immediately, the NRL club is reportedly set to lose their team manager as well. The Tigers held a board meeting this week in which it was agreed that Galvin could leave before the June 30 deadline if he can secure a deal with another club. The Tigers reportedly want a player in exchange for Galvin, or a $170,000 transfer fee. Amid speculation about where Galvin might end up, reports emerged on Thursday that team manager Billy Callaway is also set to depart. Wide World of Sports columnist 'The Mole' reported the news on social media without going into detail. When asked for a reason why Callaway is leaving, The Mole simply stated: "It's complicated". Callaway's LinkedIn page still has him as the 'NRL Team Manager at Wests Tigers Rugby League Football Pty Ltd'. He started at the Tigers in 2018 as a coaching and developing manager, before switching roles to become Football Operations Assistant and Facilities Manager. In 2021 under then-coach Michael Maguire he was promoted to team manager. In 2020 he was named 'Club Person of the Year' at the team's awards night, and according to The Mole he's a popular figure around the club. BREAKING!!!Today's @WestsTigers drama - popular team manager Billy Callaway set to leave the club... never a dull moment! #NRL — The Mole (@9_Moley) May 22, 2025 It comes just days after the Tigers told Galvin he's free to make an immediate exit if he can secure a deal elsewhere. The young five-eighth rejected a contract extension earlier this year and told the club he wanted to head to the open market. The Bulldogs and Eels are believed to be the major players in the Galvin sweepstakes, and the 19-year-old is a Parramatta junior. However he recently got a new tattoo of a quote attributed to a current staff member at the Bulldogs. He pointed to the tattoo when he thought he'd scored against the Rabbitohs last weekend. RELATED: Fresh calls for NRL action after Bulldogs robbed by 'deadset farce' Staggering new twist after Billy Slater snubs Queensland player Dogs coach Cameron Ciraldo was asked about Galvin this week in light of the fact they're yet to re-sign current halfback Toby Sexton. Tellingly, he failed to rule out the possibility of the club signing Galvin. "That's another great question," he said. "Honestly, right now, we're just worried about tomorrow night (against the Dolphins). "We want to put in a really good performance to finish this first half of the season, then we've got 18 days before our next game to think about where we can get better and what we can do. I'm sure we'll have those conversations in the future." Ciraldo's comments came before Broncos halfback Adam Reynolds revealed he'd been contacted by the Tigers recently. "There's been interest," Reynolds said on Thursday. 'There's obviously talk about, but for me I'm trying to secure my future here at the Broncos. 'For me it's about letting the manager do all that sort of stuff in the background. Brisbane is home no matter what, for our family we've settled up here. The kids are happy, the wife is happy and when they're right you have to do what is right." Reynolds clearly has no desire to leave Brisbane. But the Broncos are dealing with a salary cap crunch, and board member Darren Lockyer admitted last month the club hadn't planned for Reynolds' salary in 2026 because they'd been anticipating he would retire.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lachie Galvin's on-field act that hints at immediate switch to rival NRL team
The Wests Tigers are reportedly set to grant Lachie Galvin an immediate release from his contract, and an incident in last weekend's loss to Souths may have provided a huge clue about his next club. Galvin's NRL future has been the subject of intense speculation ever since he revealed earlier this year that he wouldn't stay with the Tigers beyond his current contract, which runs out at the end of the 2026 season. The Tigers said at the time that the 19-year-old would see out his deal and the club would not release him early. But things have clearly changed between the club and player in the weeks since, with reporting that Galvin's management are currently locked in talks with Tigers officials to try and agree an early exit for the teenage star, before the June 30 trade deadline. The report suggests the Tigers would have to agree a transfer fee for Galvin or a player in exchange before they would release him to a rival NRL club. But it suggests a deal could be struck as early as this week, with the Tigers enjoying a bye in round 12 and the Bulldogs and Eels emerging as early frontrunners for his signature. The Dogs also reportedly have some space in their salary cap and a spare spot in their 30-player roster. Galvin's links to the Bulldogs have only heated up after last weekend's loss to Souths when he appeared to score the match-winning try and celebrated by pointing to a tattoo on his wrist. The try was chalked off after replays showed he dropped the ball over the line, but the tattoo Galvin pointed out featured the letters I.N.F.E - which stands for 'It's not for everyone'. It later emerged that was a reference to one of the favourite sayings of Galvin's ex-coach at Westfield Sports High School, Luke Vella, who is now an assistant of Canterbury coach, Cameron Ciraldo. Speculation about Galvin's potential move to the Dogs also increased after the club's GM of football, Phil Gould, only offered cryptic answers about the future of off-contract playmaker, Toby Sexton. And on Wednesday, Bulldogs coach Ciraldo responded to questions about the club's potential pursuit of Galvin after being quizzed by reporters at a press conference ahead of Thursday night's round 12 game against the Dolphins. Clubs must finalise their top-30 roster by June 30 and Ciraldo said the Galvin situation was not something they'd "had time to comprehend or talk about" yet. When asked directly whether the door was still ajar to potentially sign Galvin, the Bulldogs coach remained coy but refused to rule it out altogether. "That's another great question," Ciraldo said with a laugh. "Honestly, right now, we're just worried about tomorrow night. We want to put in a really good performance to finish this first half of the season, then we've got 18 days before our next game to think about where we can get better and what we can do. I'm sure we'll have those conversations in the future." Parramatta are the other club that's been strongly linked with signing Galvin, who supported the Eels as a kid and grew up in the area. The Eels will also have space in their salary cap for a $1 million playmaker such as Galvin from next season, when five-eighth Dylan Brown joins Newcastle after signing a 10-year deal. RELATED: Legend's truth bomb for Reece Walsh amid fallout over deleted video Mal Meninga predicts last-minute change to Blues for Origin opener Any move to sign Galvin this season looks complicated though, and Parramatta veteran Junior Paulo indicated Brown would be the club's No.6 for the rest of the year. "(Galvin) is definitely a quality player and has been since he's come into first grade," Paulo said. "Wherever his future ends up, that's something for the club to sort out, but wherever he does end up I'm sure he'll be looking to relish in that role. Dyl's our five-eighth and will be for the remainder of this year." with AAP
