Wests Tigers remain steadfast that they won’t let Lachie Galvin leave early but a three-team trade could bring the stand-off between the young star and the club to a swift resolution.
The Tigers have interest in signing Knights forward Kai Pearce-Paul for 2026 to boost their forward pack after releasing John Bateman and Isaiah Papali’i in the off-season.
Wests CEO Shane Richardson has maintained they are not interested in letting Galvin walk before he completes his contract at the end of next season.
But after he was dropped to NSW Cup for the Easter Monday fixtures against Parramatta, the situation is in a volatile position.
The cashed-up Eels are one of the frontrunners to land Galvin’s signature after clearing plenty of salary cap space following Dylan Brown’s decision to join Newcastle on a mega deal and former Maroons forward Joe Ofahengaue being released during the week.
Back-rower Shaun Lane’s future is also up in the air after he opted to take a break from the sport during the week.
Sydney Morning Herald NRL reporter Michael Chammas revealed on Triple M that the Tigers were interested in Pearce-Paul, which could open the door for a scenario where the English forward is allowed to leave the Knights early.
That could eventuate in Brown heading up to Newcastle this season if Parra can land Galvin’s signature.
No club is able to negotiate with Galvin until November 1 unless the Tigers give his controversial agent, Isaac Moses, permission to do so.
Canterbury boss Phil Gould, who is also keen to snap up Galvin, claimed during the week the situation was untenable and former Broncos coach Kevin Walters said the teenage five-eighth should be trying to jump ship as early as possible.
Dylan Brown. (Photo by Scott Gardiner/Getty Images)
Walters lashed out at Tigers trio Sunia Turuva, co-captain Jarome Luai and forward Fonua Pole for their social media taunts of Galvin, describing their actions as “bullying, 100 per cent” on his Inside Ball podcast.
He said the Tigers were “just starting to gain respect and now they’ve been pulled apart by this”.
“How would you feel if you were Benji Marshall and the Wests Tigers management? They would be absolutely filthy,” Walters said.
“I don’t think he can stay. If I was Lachie Galvin, I would be saying, ‘Mate, get me out of here now’ because these blokes don’t want me here.
“If they lose on the weekend, the players won’t be under pressure. It’ll be Benji and the manager. If they keep losing, you know who’ll lose his job? Benji Marshall.
“He is in a tough position.”
Parramatta half Mitchell Moses is the cousin of Galvin’s agent, which could help the Eels in their bid to land the hottest young prospect on the NRL open market when he becomes available.
