When Lachie Galvin wanted out of Wests Tigers – the first time – one of the first phone calls his manager made was to the Penrith Panthers.
It was the end of 2023, and five-eighth Jarome Luai had just announced he would be leaving the premiers to take up a lucrative five-year deal at the Tigers for the start of the 2025 season.
Galvin was yet to debut for the Tigers, but he had concerns about the club’s recruitment strategy, with three playmakers – Aidan Sezer, Jayden Sullivan and Latu Fainu – on the books already and now Luai due to arrive as their marquee halfback the following year.
It was reported at the time that Tigers CEO Shane Richardson met with Galvin’s family on the eve of the 2024 season to assure them the teenager was a big part of their future plans.
What is not common knowledge is that Galvin harboured hopes of joining the Panthers to fill the void left by Luai, and one day playing alongside Nathan Cleary.
Sources with knowledge of the situation not authorised to speak publicly confirmed Galvin’s manager had reached out to the Panthers to gauge their interest in the young playmaker.
Lachlan Galvin during his time at the Tigers. Lachlan Galvin during his time at the Tigers.Credit:Getty Images
At the time, good judges at Penrith believed Galvin would become a better No.13 than he would a half, and they already had Isaah Yeo, their co-captain, locked away on a long-term deal.
Plus, they already had their eyes on one of Galvin’s best friends, Blaize Talagi, who was in the Eels system.
Like Galvin, Talagi was yet to make his NRL debut at that stage. Panthers CEO Matt Cameron was particularly keen on the Westfields Sports High graduate, and arranged a meeting between he and and Ivan Cleary at the coach’s home on the Nepean River.
Galvin went on to play 31 NRL games for the Tigers before his much-hyped mid-year move to Canterbury, whose title dreams were ended by Talagi and Penrith on Sunday.
Bulldogs supremo Phil Gould defended the signing of Galvin on Monday’s 100% Footy, and described the criticism levelled at him and the club during the second half of the season as “childish and extremely unfair”.
As it stands, Penrith fans would be more than happy their club opted for Talagi over Galvin.
“The feedback I’d got from people who had coached Blaize previously was how he was an outstanding human being, and I was always going to back the Panthers’ system to turn a good player into a special player,” Cameron said. “We all expected Blaize to contribute in his first year, so he’s definitely met those expectations.”
Talagi was keen to remain at his junior club, and even after meeting Cleary, was ready to recommit to the Eels, only to keep thinking about Cleary’s sales pitch to make him a better player.
The 20-year-old has been excellent in his first season at the premiers. The 20-year-old has been excellent in his first season at the premiers.Credit:Kate Geraghty
“I was set on staying at Parra, I didn’t want to move, I was probably scared to move I guess, but after meeting Ivan, he opened my eyes to what else was out there,” Talagi said on Tuesday.
“Just seeing how he was as a person, so cool and calm ... it took me a few days to think about it. I remember saying to myself, ‘OK, I’m staying’. But almost immediately I felt like it wasn’t the right decision, so I changed my mind.”
Blaize Talagi is proving an outstanding replacement for Jarome Luai at the Panthers – but if Lachie Galvin had got his way, he’d be lining up alongside Nathan Cleary this week.
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