NRL Market Watch: Panthers, Roosters linked to disgruntled Wests Tigers star Lachlan Galvin
Two heavyweight Sydney clubs are monitoring Lachlan Galvin’s situation at Wests Tigers following revelations the young gun requested a release from his contract.
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NRL clubs headed by three-time premiers Penrith are closely monitoring Lachlan Galvin’s dispute at Wests Tigers and are ready to pounce.
And the powerful Sydney Roosters also have salary cap space to consider Galvin, one of the rugby league’s hottest young prospects.
This masthead’s Sports Editor-at-Large Phil Rothfield revealed Galvin, 18, had formally sought a release from a Wests Tigers contract that doesn’t expire until after 2026.
Wests Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson quickly denied Galvin’s request.
It hasn’t prevented rival clubs from discussing the possibility of approaching Galvin should he become available.
Galvin has told friends he isn’t unhappy at Concord but feels his development could accelerate at another club.
The Galvin issue is another blow for a club which has lost nine successive games, including Friday night’s embarrassing 56-14 loss to St George Illawarra.
Penrith would appear a robust fit for Galvin.
Well-placed sources claim the Panthers have had preliminary discussions about Galvin, who debuted against Canberra in round two, could be a target.
Penrith is aware Galvin, for now, has another two-and-a-half years at Wests Tigers and their interest is purely internal.
One source close to the drama said: “If Galvin is released, he will end up at Penrith.”
The Roosters have salary cap room in the wake of five-eighth Luke Keary’s impending retirement.
One obstacle would be a standoff between Roosters chairman Nick Politis and Galvin’s manager, Isaac Moses.
Wests Tigers supporters would be gutted to lose Galvin given he is a Campbelltown junior.
Richardson told this masthead Galvin wasn’t going anywhere, saying: “We have no intention of releasing him. It’s as simple as that.
“It’s disappointing that the request has been made but I’m going to have a meeting with his mum and dad next week. I think there’s a lot of reasons behind it.
“He’s a young kid, we’re not winning games, and he’s finding it difficult. All I can say is we have Jarome Luai coming next year and we’ll have him, Api (Koroisau) and Jahream Bula in the spine.
“We have a contract in place with Lachlan and we intend to hold him to it.”
Wests Tigers are also in a dogfight to retain former NSW State of Origin prop Stefano Utoikamanu.
Multiple sources claim Utoikamanu, despite being offered a handsome five year deal worth $4m by Wests Tigers, will leave after this year.
Like the Galvin situation, rival clubs are already talking about whether Utoikamanu could be an option.
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Originally published as NRL Market Watch: Panthers, Roosters linked to disgruntled Wests Tigers star Lachlan Galvin
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