Lachlan Galvin’s suspension rules him out of the Dally M race, opening the door for another emerging Tiger

Lachlan Galvin’s suspension means he has been ruled out of the Dally M rookie of the year race, giving an emerging Wests Tigers half a golden opportunity.

Lachlan Galvin getting ready to return from the sin bin. NRL Imagery

Wests Tigers teenager Lachlan Galvin will miss two weeks for a hip drop against Parramatta last weekend but that won’t be the only price he will pay after the incident rubbed him out of the running for the Dally M rookie of the year award.

Galvin, one of the stars of the Tigers’ surprising start to the year, is set to miss games against the Dolphins and Penrith over an incident involving Eels forward Kelma Tuilagi that resulted in him spending 10 minutes in the sin bin.

Lachlan Galvin is out of the running for rookie of the year. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Under the rules governing the Dally M Awards, players are deemed ineligible when they are suspended for two or more matches.

Galvin was an early front runner for the award along with Canberra five-eighth Ethan Strange.

While Galvin’s ban has cost him the chance to win a Dally M, his absence for the next fortnight is set to open the door for another of the club’s emerging stars – Latu Fainu.

Tigers insiders have been salivating over Fainu’s talents in the pre-season but a hamstring injury meant he had a slow start to the year – he has been forced to work his way back to health in the NSW Cup.

Latu Fainu gets his chance in the Tigers halves this weekend. Picture: NRL Imagery

He has provided plenty of glimpses of his potential at the lower levels and will make his first grade debut off the interchange bench as Jayden Sullivan is handed the No. 6 jersey in Galvin’s absence.

The Tigers deliberately delayed his return until they were convinced he was back to full fitness and Marshall has seen enough to give him a shot in the NRL.

“He’s ready,” Marshall said.

“He’s very silky with the ball. He’s a really humble young kid. He’s always in my office asking for extra video. He just wants to learn.”

Originally published as Lachlan Galvin’s suspension rules him out of the Dally M race, opening the door for another emerging Tiger