For neutral observers around the NRL, reactions to Lachlan Galvin’s agitation for a release from the swiftly improving Wests Tigers have ranged from supportive, to bemused, to anxious that his antics will set a new precedent for rising stars willing to do anything to achieve their dream move.

It’s pretty bold for a teenager to instruct, or at least agree with, his agent going to the club CEO with a reportedly detailed list of the head coach’s shortcomings, particularly one who is still an infant in terms of coaching at the top level of rugby league.

It also takes some balls to look at the Tigers’ recent recruitment and say, “Nah, I don’t want to learn from Jarome Luai, Sunia Turuva and Terrell May, get me out of Concord ASAP.”

Isaac Moses is perhaps the most infamous player manager in the game and has no doubt tried to sink his claws into his young client with dollar signs flashing in his eyes.

A feud with Benji Marshall may be part of the equation but Moses ultimately wants to maximise his commission, but considering the club’s multimillion-dollar offer to the very promising playmaker, how much more could he really get on the open market, should he successfully secure a release or, god forbid, wait until November 1?

Sure, the joint venture are still a way off being genuine premiership contenders and the roster, as Marshall would readily admit, is still a work in progress but there is finally some light at the end of the tunnel.

With a 3-3 start to 2025, a return to the finals may not be as unfeasible as some pundits predicted before a ball had been kicked.

Marshall is obviously not yet at the level of Trent Robinson, Wayne Bennett and Craig Bellamy and may never get there, but as a young coach he is trending in the right direction. He’s also one of the most talented playmakers of his generation, a premiership winner and clearly a savvy rugby league mind.

Lachlan Galvin of the Wests Tigers (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

The reports about Marshall could all be a distraction from Galvin simply chasing the largest paycheque he can get, as a leaked Instagram story by Turuva implied. Luai posted a story with the caption ‘team first’ as the rising star’s axing for the clash with Parramatta was announced, after the club captain was part of a group that told the coach in no uncertain terms they didn’t want Galvin in the 17.

A pretty drastic measure, but it shows unity within the leadership group and a genuine desire to build a good culture as Wests seek to end their two-decade long premiership drought. Luai may not be everyone’s cup of tea but it’s hard to disagree that, social media aside, he’s actually handled his first big test as an NRL captain with a lot of maturity, something that’s been lacking from his game despite his premiership and State of Origin success.

Time will tell who wins the standoff but my money is on Galvin and Moses getting their way. The noise will become too much for a club that can’t afford an 18-month media circus to derail what the likes of Api Koroisau, Luai and Marshall are building towards. Realistically, how long can the 19-year-old remain in reserve grade, and when he’s recalled to the NRL, that will be one noxious dressing room at CommBank, Campbelltown, Leichhardt. .. you get the picture.

Fans will have a right to be upset that perhaps their most promising player since James Tedesco and Mitchell Moses left Concord for perceived or actual greener pastures is also on the way out but the team-first mentality espoused by key players should be heartening.

The importance of culture within a sporting club is sometimes mocked and derided as unimportant, but just look at Penrith, look at Melbourne for evidence that, of course, you need top end skill to win a premiership but you also need a solid foundation under your players’ feet to give them the best chance of success.