Shane Richardson, the head of the Wests Tigers, disclosed that 18-year-old talent Lachlan Galvin had expressed his desire to be released from the club multiple times during the summer. This occurred as the Tigers continued to acquire more halves players.
Galvin’s concerns were initially raised by his manager, Isaax Moses, following the signings of Jarome Luai, Aidan Sezer, Jayden Sullivan, and Latu Fainu by the Tigers. Worried about his chances of getting playing time, Galvin felt uncertain about his future at the club.
In response to these concerns, Richardson organized a meeting with Galvin and his family to discuss the situation further.
Richardson met with the Galvin family in February before the Tigers embarked on their first pre-season trial in New Zealand, aiming to address the family’s concerns, as reported by The SMH.
“I sat down with Isaac and his father because we had no intention of Lachie leaving,” Richardson explained.
“The family was primarily concerned about where Lachie stood within the team, especially considering the signings of several playmakers. It was natural for them to wonder about his place in the squad, and as a father myself, I understood their perspective.
“However, I was confident in Lachie’s abilities and believed that he was integral to our plans for building the club’s future. I assured them that we valued Lachie and that he would have opportunities to showcase his talent.
“Benji [Marshall] also shared my confidence in Lachie’s abilities, although I didn’t anticipate him being selected for the first game. Nevertheless, even before the season began, both Benji and I were certain that Lachie would be a key player for the team. We provided the reassurances they sought, and we have upheld our commitment to him.”
According to reports, Galvin’s salary for the 2024 NRL season is at the league minimum of $150,000. However, his contract is set to increase to approximately $250,000 in 2025 and $350,000 in 2026.
“I reviewed his footage before joining, and I immediately recognized his talent,” Richardson stated. “He reminds me of John Sutton from my early days at Souths. There’s no doubt in my mind that he’s here to stay.
“Comparing him to John Sutton is significant because, at Souths, signing Sutton was crucial for our future. Without him, we would have faced considerable challenges retaining our young talent. I view Lachie in a similar light; I don’t foresee us losing him.”
