Source :- THE AGE NEWS
Lachlan Galvin’s legal team has sought “urgent mediation” with Wests Tigers over multiple issues after the teenage playmaker was recalled to first grade for Sunday’s clash with Cronulla.
A day after turning out for feeder club Western Suburbs Magpies in a 22-10 NSW Cup loss to Parramatta at Lidcombe Oval, Tigers coach Benji Marshall brought Galvin back into the NRL side.
Lachlan Galvin playing NSW Cup on Monday.Credit: Max Mason-Hubers
Galvin’s demotion lasted just one game, despite sending a legal letter alleging he was bullied after informing the club he wouldn’t be staying beyond the expiration of his contract in 2026.
“I am instructed to confirm in response to media enquiries that Hilliard and Berry Solicitors act for Mr Lachlan Galvin,” said Simon Berry, the solicitor acting for Galvin, in a statement provided to this masthead.
“This firm has retained Mr Arthur Moses SC and Mr Dilan Mahendra on behalf of Mr Galvin. We have been in communication with both the CEO of Wests Tigers and now the solicitors acting for Wests Tigers concerning a range of issues which will not be disclosed outside any formal process, other than to note that we have sought an urgent mediation between the parties to resolve the issues in a constructive manner.”
Mitchell Moses was the standout half in Parramatta’s upset win against the Tigers at CommBank Stadium on Monday, outshining Tigers playmakers Jarome Luai and Adam Doueihi.
That loss prompted Marshall to recall Galvin. How Galvin performs against the Sharks on Sunday could determine how long he remains in Tigers’ colours.
Parramatta coach Jason Ryles has made no secret of his desire to open negotiations with Galvin as soon as he becomes a free agent. Presently, he is unable to do so until November 1.
Canterbury coach Cameron Ciraldo on Tuesday said the club “won’t be bringing too many people from the outside in” after Bulldogs boss Phil Gould confirmed the club weren’t interested in chasing the signature of Tigers youngster Lachlan Galvin.
Ciraldo said the Bulldogs’ preference was to promote their juniors, despite tensions between Galvin’s camp and the Tigers continuing to escalate.
“At the moment we’ve got our plan, and we’re sticking to that, and it’s been working really well for us,” Ciraldo said.
“The guys in those positions [halves] at the moment are doing a great job, and we’ve got a pathways’ system that we’ve put a lot of time and effort into, and that’s reaping some rewards as well. So, we’ll stick to what we’re doing and let everyone else worry about other stuff.”
Galvin’s relationship with the Tigers has deteriorated after he knocked back their $5.5 million, six-year extension offer.
Ciraldo echoed Gould’s comment that the club “won’t be involved in the Lachlan Galvin discussion”, and said there was no point entertaining the idea as long as he’s contracted to another club for the next 18 months.
“When there’s good players that come on the market, you’ve always got to have those conversations and look at what’s best for the club and make decisions in the best interest of the club,” Ciraldo said.
“But, we can’t talk to him for another seven months anyway, and just I thought Gus shut down all the speculation, and we’ll get on with what we’re doing.”
It’s the second time in two months the top-of-the-ladder club have pulled out of the race for a star half, after they decided not to pursue Daly Cherry-Evans for the 2026 season. Instead, the club have opened negotiations to extend the deal of No.7 Toby Sexton.
“Toby’s done a good job, the big parts of his game he’s done really well, but there’s some areas in his game that we want to see him improve as well,” Ciraldo said.
“And he’s really well aware of that, and I think he’s just handled this whole period really well as a character, same as what he did last year when he wasn’t in the team.”
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