OFFICIAL Lachlan Galvin #277 *Released* Career Discussion.

[GNR4LIFE]

I expect him to aim up and earn his spot. Api is clearly still the better player.

That’s not how it works. Every player wants to play first grade. If they are presented with a clearer path elsewhere, 9 times out of 10 they take it. It’s pathetic he’s been persecuted for something so mundane. Like he pulled a Galvin or a Doueihi. He didn’t.

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

TDS he was not worth the reported Arthur Ash he was wanting either,

 

[Leck]

The handling of Latu has been nothing short of a disgrace. And if he were to leave, it would not surprise me in the least.

Latu has missed 34 games whilst he's been with us, which is 48%. The reality is he is injury prone, so you can't blame the club for his time on the field or the opportunities he has missed.

2024 Season

• Pre-Season / Early Rounds – Hamstring Strain: Upon arriving at the club, a hamstring injury sidelined him for the opening rounds of the season, delaying his first-grade debut.
• August – Category 1 Concussion: He suffered a heavy knock against the North Queensland Cowboys, forcing an automatic 11-day stand-down period under the NRL's head injury protocols.

2025 Season

• April/May – Broken Thumb & Recurrent Hamstrings: After recovering from a broken thumb, he suffered a series of persistent hamstring strains that kept him out until Round 14.
• September – Shoulder Reconstruction: In the Tigers' final game of the 2025 season against the Gold Coast Titans, Fainu severely injured his shoulder. He required a full shoulder reconstruction, ruling him out of international duties for Tonga and delaying his preparation for the next season.

2026 Season

• May – Foot (Lisfranc) Injury: Just as he was working his way back into form, Fainu suffered a major foot injury diagnosed as a Lisfranc issue which required an extensive 12-week recovery period.
• August – Hamstring Strain: Shortly after serving a three-game suspension, he tweaked his hamstring again during a training session, causing him to miss another 1–2 weeks.

 

[Bellend]

TDS he was not worth the reported Arthur Ash he was wanting either,

This just stinks, if you make promises to players/agent then back track on those promises who is at fault?? Supporters.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Latu has missed 34 games whilst he's been with us, which is 48%. The reality is he is injury prone, so you can't blame the club for his time on the field or the opportunities he has missed.

2024 Season

• Pre-Season / Early Rounds – Hamstring Strain: Upon arriving at the club, a hamstring injury sidelined him for the opening rounds of the season, delaying his first-grade debut.
• August – Category 1 Concussion: He suffered a heavy knock against the North Queensland Cowboys, forcing an automatic 11-day stand-down period under the NRL's head injury protocols.

2025 Season

• April/May – Broken Thumb & Recurrent Hamstrings: After recovering from a broken thumb, he suffered a series of persistent hamstring strains that kept him out until Round 14.
• September – Shoulder Reconstruction: In the Tigers' final game of the 2025 season against the Gold Coast Titans, Fainu severely injured his shoulder. He required a full shoulder reconstruction, ruling him out of international duties for Tonga and delaying his preparation for the next season.

2026 Season

• May – Foot (Lisfranc) Injury: Just as he was working his way back into form, Fainu suffered a major foot injury diagnosed as a Lisfranc issue which required an extensive 12-week recovery period.
• August – Hamstring Strain: Shortly after serving a three-game suspension, he tweaked his hamstring again during a training session, causing him to miss another 1–2 weeks.

That still doesn’t excuse every game he came off the bench and played hooker/lock. Is he injury prone? Yes. The kid could get injured sitting on the toilet. But that’s a seperate issue. Apples and oranges.

 

[Leck]

That still doesn’t excuse every game he came off the bench and played hooker/lock. Is he injury prone? Yes. The kid could get injured sitting on the toilet. But that’s a seperate issue. Apples and oranges.

Most players, especially if they are young coming back from serious injuries, will be played into a game off the bench or until they have played a few games in reggies and proven their health.

However, in our circumstance, we didn't rush him. It could be because he's only 21 and hasn't grown into his body, but so far he has proven to be injury prone.

Missing 48% of games due to injury is huge. So no apples or oranges.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Most players, especially if they are young coming back from serious injuries, will be played into a game off the bench or until they have played a few games in reggies and proven their health.

However, in our circumstance, we didn't rush him. It could be because he's only 21 and hasn't grown into his body, but so far he has proven to be injury prone.

Missing 48% of games due to injury is huge. So no apples or oranges.

I‘ve made it clear him coming off the bench wasn’t the issue. It’s that when he came on he was being played out of position. Then when he finally did come on and play his position, shock horror, he looked like a different player.

 

[tiges69]

Latu has missed 34 games whilst he's been with us, which is 48%. The reality is he is injury prone, so you can't blame the club for his time on the field or the opportunities he has missed.

2024 Season

• Pre-Season / Early Rounds – Hamstring Strain: Upon arriving at the club, a hamstring injury sidelined him for the opening rounds of the season, delaying his first-grade debut.
• August – Category 1 Concussion: He suffered a heavy knock against the North Queensland Cowboys, forcing an automatic 11-day stand-down period under the NRL's head injury protocols.

2025 Season

• April/May – Broken Thumb & Recurrent Hamstrings: After recovering from a broken thumb, he suffered a series of persistent hamstring strains that kept him out until Round 14.
• September – Shoulder Reconstruction: In the Tigers' final game of the 2025 season against the Gold Coast Titans, Fainu severely injured his shoulder. He required a full shoulder reconstruction, ruling him out of international duties for Tonga and delaying his preparation for the next season.

2026 Season

• May – Foot (Lisfranc) Injury: Just as he was working his way back into form, Fainu suffered a major foot injury diagnosed as a Lisfranc issue which required an extensive 12-week recovery period.
• August – Hamstring Strain: Shortly after serving a three-game suspension, he tweaked his hamstring again during a training session, causing him to miss another 1–2 weeks.

May 2026, foot injury, that was Samuela.

 

[Leck]

I‘ve made it clear him coming off the bench wasn’t the issue. It’s that when he came on he was being played out of position. Then when he finally did come on and play his position, shock horror, he looked like a different player.

He was not ready, and most young players are asked to slot in where they are needed. Hopefully with another full healthy preseason, he might be able to take the 7 jumper and own it.

Well see.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

He was not ready, and most young players are asked to slot in where they are needed. Hopefully with another full healthy preseason, he might be able to take the 7 jumper and own it.

Well see.

Then he should have been playing KOE Cup. Someone said his confidence was shot. No wonder.

 

[Oldman]

So what?
That doesn’t make the others any less deserving.
Just a typical pissant Wests Tigers fan comment from you there.
Throw one of our own under the bus to attack two ex players….that is pathetic.

I told you not to get excited,
But it looks like you can’t help being a total Tuck Wit.

 

[Leck]

May 2026, foot injury, that was Samuela.

Yeah, you're right

 

[Leck]

Then he should have been playing KOE Cup. Someone said his confidence was shot. No wonder.

I agree with that, as mentioned I hope he'll be ready next year

 

[Tiger-ferret]

That’s not how it works. Every player wants to play first grade. If they are presented with a clearer path elsewhere, 9 times out of 10 they take it. It’s pathetic he’s been persecuted for something so mundane. Like he pulled a Galvin or a Doueihi. He didn’t.

Persecuting is a strong word. I remember he left with a chip on his shoulder with some quips in the media (I’ll have to dig up what was quoted).

 

[Oldman]

I collated some data last year that showed how we played with an API/Tallyn combo vs Api with anyone else. Worst was Api goes 80 but him sharing duties with others wasn’t much better. We would have won more games if he stayed this year and last and that’s what annoys me.

Hey Tuck Wit
How do you know,
Does your Crystal Ball 🔮 tell you that we would have won more games if he stayed ?
And we are still waiting for the 2026 Melbourne Cup winner 🏆

 

[Tiger-ferret]

Are you referring to a particular incident there?
From every interview I saw or snippet I read about Tallyn, he was very appreciative and excited about playing NRL for the club….until he wasn’t….and then he was gone.
The bad habit this club has of letting players walking out of contracts early is why I suggest very poor technique is occurring when retention meetings are held or processes undertaken.

Nothing particular. I agree this club is terrible at retaining talent but I think that’s a 2 way street. These players want to dictate to the club where they play and as soon as there is push back they walk.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Persecuting is a strong word. I remember he left with a chip on his shoulder with some quips in the media (I’ll have to dig up what was quoted).

The only thing he said was he was happy to be at Parra. And why would he not have been? He had a path. He couldn’t have been down on our club that much if he was willing to stay.

 

[gregjm87]

Latu has missed 34 games whilst he's been with us, which is 48%. The reality is he is injury prone, so you can't blame the club for his time on the field or the opportunities he has missed.

2024 Season

• Pre-Season / Early Rounds – Hamstring Strain: Upon arriving at the club, a hamstring injury sidelined him for the opening rounds of the season, delaying his first-grade debut.
• August – Category 1 Concussion: He suffered a heavy knock against the North Queensland Cowboys, forcing an automatic 11-day stand-down period under the NRL's head injury protocols.

2025 Season

• April/May – Broken Thumb & Recurrent Hamstrings: After recovering from a broken thumb, he suffered a series of persistent hamstring strains that kept him out until Round 14.
• September – Shoulder Reconstruction: In the Tigers' final game of the 2025 season against the Gold Coast Titans, Fainu severely injured his shoulder. He required a full shoulder reconstruction, ruling him out of international duties for Tonga and delaying his preparation for the next season.

2026 Season

• May – Foot (Lisfranc) Injury: Just as he was working his way back into form, Fainu suffered a major foot injury diagnosed as a Lisfranc issue which required an extensive 12-week recovery period.
• August – Hamstring Strain: Shortly after serving a three-game suspension, he tweaked his hamstring again during a training session, causing him to miss another 1–2 weeks.

Curious what weight he is playing at because if a still developing body is being expected to carry extra weight (to play through the middle) then it's likely soft tissue injuries occur as a result. So I do blame the club.

 

[Telltails]

You would have to be blind to not see that TDS had a path to FG with or without API. And if he was good enough it would have been API who would have been under most pressure to maintain his position.
He shares the the role at Parra with Ryley Smith who will have to continue to compete with - most clubs have two hookers
He got offered 650 K and if you think that didn't make the pathway at Parra look far more appealing then your kidding yourself.

 

[Wezt]

You would have to be blind to not see that TDS had a path to FG with or without API. And if he was good enough it would have been API who would have been under most pressure to maintain his position.
He shares the the role at Parra with Ryley Smith who will have to continue to compete with - most clubs have two hookers
He got offered 650 K and if you think that didn't make the pathway at Parra look far more appealing then your kidding yourself.

He overtook Ryley Smith mid season. He played nearly 80 minutes in 7 games