Canterbury Bulldogs boss Phil Gould has spent more than a year publicly praising Wests Tigers prodigy Lachlan Galvin – and he’s done it all legally.
Under current NRL rules, clubs cannot privately approach contracted players. But there’s no rule stopping them from doing so in public.
And that’s exactly the loophole Gould has exploited, courting Galvin in full view of the rugby league world.
Since Galvin’s debut last season, the Bulldogs general manager has lavished him with praise on podcasts and TV appearances.
‘Lachlan Galvin will earn more money out of rugby league than any player in history,’ Gould said on his Six Tackles with Gus podcast last August.
‘I think he’s the best teenage footballer I’ve ever seen. I think what he is doing is absolutely extraordinary.’
Bulldogs boss Phil Gould has been using his role in media to lavish praise on Wests Tigers playmaker Lachlan Galvin
While Galvin is contracted to the Tigers until the end of the 2026 season, Sydney clubs are ready to pounce after he rejected a contract extension
Gould rarely makes such comments about rookies — and almost never with this level of enthusiasm.
But Galvin’s situation is different. He’s a 19-year-old playmaker stuck at a struggling club, and Gould is rebuilding the Bulldogs.
Earlier this year, with rumours swirling about Galvin’s dissatisfaction at the Tigers, Gould struck again.
‘I’m obsessed with him. I love watching him play,’ Gould said.
‘I’m excited to see how he goes with Jarome Luai at the Wests Tigers. I think in the future, whoever has Lachlan Galvin in their side will be winning premierships.’
‘I’m not even worried about putting raps on the kid because he is probably the most exciting young playmaker I’ve seen coming through in a long time.’
This calculated pattern — dubbed a ‘Gus sandwich’ — sends a message directly to Galvin under the guise of fan commentary.
First, Gould declares his ‘obsession,’ then circles back to the Tigers, and finishes by saying Galvin is built for greatness.
Galvin’s decision to turn his back on Wests comes as the team is finally turning the corner after years nailed to the foot of the ladder (pictured, Tigers stars celebrate a try against Newcastle)
Whether Galvin realises it or not, one of rugby league’s most powerful figures has been courting him in public.
And because it’s all done through media channels, the NRL can’t do a thing about it.
Gould has denied any plans to sign Galvin, just as he did before Sitili Tupouniua signed a four-year deal with the Dogs.
But when he was asked again this week, Gould didn’t close the door.
‘We’ve got other plans at the Bulldogs,’ he said on 100% Footy.
‘Never in my wildest imagination would I have thought a Lachlan Galvin would ever come on the market.’
‘There’s a lot of water to flow under the bridge between now and then.’
Gould also offered career advice, saying: ‘You need to be the best 22-year-old footballer because your career’s not really going to start until you’re 24 or 25.’
Galvin’s decision has reportedly come as a result of his doubts over Tigers coach Benji Marshall’s ability to get the best out of young players
Galvin is contracted until the end of 2026, but speculation is rife he may leave sooner.
Cameron Smith believes an early release is likely if the Tigers find a suitable replacement.
‘If there’s an opportunity that arises for the Tigers to find a replacement for Lachie, he won’t be there next year,’ Smith said.
‘Hopefully that’s the case for him and the Wests Tigers.’
Meanwhile, reports claim Galvin doesn’t believe Benji Marshall is the right coach to take his game forward.
Gould called that suggestion ‘extraordinary’ and said it should have remained a private matter.
‘I doubt that Lachlan Galvin will want to be a party to comments that the current coach can’t improve his football for him,’ he said.
‘I think that might have been part of the strategy from the manager to remove him from the club.’
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