Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall insists he still wants to coach Lachlan Galvin and that the wantaway rising star has a future at the club, despite the ongoing circus around the five-eighth’s contract status.
Galvin has been in the headlines since it emerged he rejected a $5 million extension at Concord amid reports his camp is unhappy with Marshall’s ability to develop his game.
The 19-year-old has been dropped from the match day 17 to take on Parramatta on Easter Monday, instead lining up for the club’s NSW Cup side.
Speaking at a press conference at the Tigers training base on Thursday afternoon that started cordially enough but soon turned combative, Marshall explained he empathises with what his young playmaker is currently experiencing, but was also surprised at the implication he is not capable of taking Galvin’s game to the next level.
“And, you know, at the end of the day, like, and I said this to the players, you can’t be angry or be against someone for choosing something they think is best for their future,” he said.
“And I’ve said it to everyone I’ve ever coached is, when it comes to negotiations, you have to do what’s best for you. So, you know, and that’s lucky. So, no one’s angry about that.
“Oh, look, I was shocked by no doubt. You know, and then a little bit disappointed. But at the same time, like, everyone thinks I can’t coach anyway.
“So, it’s not that different to what’s being said, you know. So, the thing with me is, and you guys know this, is I’ll always back myself in the way I do things and my ability that I want what’s best for this club and this team. And I’ll do what it is that’s best. And if I’m not the best option, then I’ll go, okay? But for right now, I’ll back myself that we’re doing things right.”
Lachlan Galvin of the Wests Tigers (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Asked what the future holds, Marshall insisted both the club and player have to find a way to navigate the rest of 2025 and 2026.
“Yeah, I think I just said I was surprised by it. All I can say is he’s played some pretty good footy in the last 12 months. Whether that’s because of me or because of him, who knows? But he got the Prime Minister’s 13th Rookie of the Year, and we revolved a lot of things around him. And I still think he’s a great player.
“Don’t get me wrong. He owes me nothing. He owes our club nothing. At the end of the day, it is what it is. People move on, people come and go, but the club’s bigger. The thing for us is we’ve got him for the next 18 months. So he’s got to get through this game, put himself in the frame for selection next week, and then go from there.
“This has been tough for him and his parents. They’re good people. People need to understand they’re really good people. And they want the best for their son.
“And as a parent, I put myself in that position. I’d be the same wanting the same for my son. So we need to just take a chill pill on the things we’re saying about him and to him and the threats and all that stuff.”
As news of the Galvin camp’s agitation spread, co-captain Jarome Luai and winger Sunia Turuva took to Instagram with the halfback’s post simply stating ‘team first’, and Turuva’s post, which was only sent to ‘close friends’ not shared publicly, was of Galvin’s stall in the dressing room and included the WWE theme song “Money Talks”.
“I don’t think he’s being bullied by the other players,” Marshall added.
“I think emotional responses to things happening might seem like it, but there’s been no sense of bullying at our club and we don’t stand for bullying.
“I talked to the team about it this morning. That’s not us. We’re not bullies. Our players are not bullies. They had emotional reactions to one of their teammates, but it’s not bullying. I can guarantee you that.”
