In a bombshell move that has sent shockwaves through the NRL, Wests Tigers teen prodigy Lachlan Galvin has been dropped from first grade – and the decision was reportedly driven by his own teammates.
The club’s leadership group, including high-profile stars Jarome Luai and captain Api Koroisau, confronted head coach Benji Marshall in an emergency meeting on Monday to declare they no longer wanted Galvin in the squad, News Corp reported.
In addition to that, young Tigers star Fonua Pole liked a fiery Instagram post criticising Galvin after the news broke on Monday.
‘Unf***ingbelievable. We give you a shot at first grade and hand you the keys to the franchise with every tool possible around you to succeed cya mate,’ the post read.
‘Surely there’s no need to keep him around? Throw Doueihi or Bird at 6 until Latu returns if we’re serious about building and moving forward as a club.’
Rising teen playmaker Lachlan Galvin rejected a $5million extension to stay at the Tigers and is contracted at the club until the end of 2026
Star half Jarome Luai reportedly demanded that Galvin be removed from the squad after announcing he would not be staying at the club
Luai and captain Api Koroisau reportedly met with coach Benji Marshall to have Galvin ousted
The fallout comes just days after Galvin, one of the NRL’s brightest young talents, publicly rejected a $5million contract extension.
It was the biggest offer ever made to a junior by the Tigers.
The 19-year-old five-eighth informed the club he would not be staying beyond his current deal, which expires at the end of the 2026 season.
‘Despite the club having the largest contract offer for a junior in the history of the club on the table, Lachlan and his management have decided his future lies elsewhere and were not willing to review the offer,’ the Tigers said in a statement.
‘Obviously, there will be a lot of speculation around this release, but we will make no further comment.’
The club insisted it will not entertain an early release, though insiders believe that position could shift depending on form, injuries and whether Galvin can repair relationships within the team.
Galvin will now line up for the Western Suburbs Magpies in the NSW Cup on Easter Monday against Parramatta at Lidcombe Oval.
The teenage playmaker could face a hostile reception from Magpies fans on Monday, with several questioning who would have to make way to accommodate him.
Galvin will go back to reserve grade on Easter Monday, playing for Western Suburbs Magpies
‘Who is moving aside for Galvin to come in?’ one fan asked.
‘Hopefully he’s 18th man,’ replied another.
‘He can play [lower tier competition Jersey] Flegg,’ added another.
‘They won’t want to play alongside him either,’ fumed yet another.
Utility Adam Doueihi is tipped to replace him at five-eighth in first grade alongside Luai, while Jack Bird remains another option due to Latu Fainu’s fractured thumb, which will sideline him for up to eight weeks.
The teenager’s omission comes after an impressive rookie campaign in 2024, where he formed a strong combination with Luai and was named the club’s NRL Rookie of the Year.
His rejection of the Tigers’ record-breaking deal reportedly blindsided the club, who had privately vowed to keep him despite rising pressure.
But Monday’s intervention by the leadership group appears to have forced Marshall’s hand.
Galvin’s immediate future is at a crossroads, but there is a shopping list of NRL clubs ready to pounce
While the coach declined to confirm the players’ involvement, nor did CEO Shane Richardson, both refused to elaborate on the shock demotion.
His contract status means he can’t sign with a rival NRL club until November 1, but that hasn’t stopped speculation about his next move.
The Parramatta Eels, Canterbury Bulldogs, Manly Sea Eagles and Sydney Roosters are all believed to be monitoring his situation closely.
Parramatta appear particularly interested, with Galvin having played his junior football at the Eels before being cut and finding success with the Tigers’ Harold Matthews Cup-winning team in 2022.
His manager, Isaac Moses, also represents Eels star Mitch Moses and several key Manly figures, including coach Anthony Seibold and five-eighth Luke Brooks.
The Sea Eagles are currently in the market for a successor to veteran Daly Cherry-Evans.
Meanwhile, Bulldogs football boss Phil Gould has praised Galvin as ‘the best teenage talent he had ever seen’.
Although the Dogs recently ruled out a play for Cherry-Evans, they may be more tempted by a 19-year-old with elite potential.
This article was originally published by a www.dailymail.co.uk . Read the Original article here. .