Lachlan Galvin’s management has served the Wests Tigers with a legal letter alleging the 19-year-old has been bullied and not provided with a safe work environment following his rejection of a $6 million extension offer.
News of Galvin’s Cove Agency management group formally raising the matter comes as the Tigers make added security arrangements for his first game since the contract saga kicked off given the threats directed at the teen star following
his decision to leave the club at the end of 2026.
The legal developments will only heighten theories that Galvin has played his last game for the club, despite the Tigers’ insistence that an early release from his contract will not be considered.
Galvin has told club officials that he wants to play for feeder side Wests Magpies on Monday, though it remains to be seen if the legal escalation changes that.
Galvin has been subject to an intense media spotlight and backlash on social media, which included responses by Tigers teammates.
Galvin’s manager Adam Brame and Cove Agency director Isaac Moses did not respond to requests for comment. The Wests Tigers declined to comment on Sunday.
The RLPA has been in contact with both Galvin, his management and senior Tigers players since the saga began last week. Tigers players were warned of their use of social media after winger Sunia Turuva posted footage of Galvin’s locker to Instagram accompanied by lyrics of “here comes the money”.
Tigers coach Benji Marshall denied that Galvin had been bullied by his teammates when he fronted a press conference last Thursday alongside co-captains Jarome Luai and Api Koroisau.
“I don’t think he’s been bullied by the other players,” Marshall said.
“Emotional responses to things happening might seem like it, but there’s been no sense of bullying at our club, and we don’t stand for bullying.
Wantaway Wests Tigers star Lachlan Galvin.CREDIT:RENEE NOWYTARGER
“I talked about it with the team this morning, and that’s not us. We’re not bullies, our players are not bullies.
“They had an emotional reaction to one of their teammates, but it’s not bullying. I can guarantee that.”
Galvin was dropped to reserve grade this Monday by Marshall with the backing of his senior leadership group, and was named to turn out for Wests Magpies against Parramatta at Lidcombe Oval.
The Tigers NRL side will play a few hours later in front of what is likely to be a sold-out crowd at Commbank Stadium against the Eels, one of the leading contenders to land Galvin’s signature along with Canterbury.
“Our five-eighth [Dylan Brown] left, so we’re in the market for a five-eighth and Lachie Galvin is an exceptional talent,” Parramatta coach Jason Ryles said on Sunday.
“So when the time’s right we’ll be speaking to him. There certainly seems to be a connection [to the Eels] from when he was a kid and when he played here as a junior. That all comes into it but at the end of the day it’s what’s best for Lachlan and his family, hopefully we’ll be one of those clubs that, come 2027, that he considers.”
Ryles said no thought has been given to releasing Brown to take up his record deal with Newcastle early as part of a swap arrangement that could trigger a play for Galvin.
As revealed by this masthead,
the Tigers front office has also received abuse directed at Galvin following the decision on his future. One message featured the words: “You never know who is watching.” Another message said: “It’s a good thing you can run fast, otherwise we’d get you.”
Loading
The Tigers were forced to shut down the comments section on their social media accounts because of the abuse being aimed at Galvin.
“Let’s chill with all the shit that’s coming his way, and just let him play footy,” Marshall said of the public backlash directed at Galvin.
“I’ve got care for Lachie, and that’s been clear forever. I’ve never not once put him in a position where he felt uncomfortable. I’m all about the mental well-being of our players.”
www.facebook.com
www.foxsports.com.au
