The Wests Tigers cubs ready to take over the mantle from Lachlan Galvin as the club’s best pathways prospect

Is there still life in the Tigers after Lachlan Galvin? We take a look at the rising stars ready to take over the mantle from Galvin as the club’s next brightest NRL prospect. WATCH THE VIDEO

The impending exit of boom five-eighth Lachlan Galvin has rocked the Wests Tigers.

After playing a key role in the Western Suburbs Magpies grand final victory in Harold Matthews (under 17’s) two years ago, Galvin was viewed as the future at the Concord club.

Coach Benji Marshall has an immediate solution to remedy Galvin’s exit in rising rookie Latu Fainu, who is waiting in the wings to wear the no. 6 jumper alongside Jarome Luai in the halves.

But as a development club, the loss of Galvin, a Campbelltown junior, is a huge blow to the Tigers.

So, who is the new jewel in the crown of the club’s junior representative pathways?

With Lachlan Galvin set to leave the Wests Tigers, who are the young cubs ready to replace him? Picture: Getty Images

Heamasi Makasini might not be a playmaker but the barnstorming centre is a prodigious teenage talent like Galvin.

One of the most sought after league and union prospects in the country, Makasini will turn 18 this year making him eligible for an NRL debut.

In the fullback ranks excitement is building at Concord about the youngster being compared to Storm superstar Ryan Papenhuyzen – the Tigers junior who slipped through the club’s fingers almost 10 years ago.

While generational talents like Galvin are hard to come by, the club has high hopes for a number of young halves impressing through the ranks like Sonny Edwards-Moeke and Marc Tannous.

We take a look at the Tigers cubs ready to take over the mantle from Galvin as the club’s best pathways prospects, and as potential future NRL stars:

‘SICK OF TALKING ABOUT IT’: BENJI BLOWS UP OVER GALVIN QUESTIONS

—Michael Carayannis

Tigers coach Benji Marshall says the reason for Lachie Galvin’s immediate return to the top grade was simple: “I pick the team I think is best each week”.

Galvin will return for the Tigers on Sunday against the Sharks for the first time in the top grade since announcing his decision to leave the club when his deal expires at the end of next year.

He was axed to reserve grade for the Tigers’ last-start loss to Parramatta, but Marshall has recalled the teenage half.

“I’m sick of talking about it,” Marshall said.

Benji Marshall is sick of answering questions about Lachie Galvin. Picture: Jeremy Piper

“I will pick the team I think is best each week. We’ve moved on.

“Everyone wants to know why. They don’t need to know why. This is the team I’ve picked that I think is best this week.

“It’s not about me but there is a lot to take away from the last few weeks. It’s a constant learning curve as a coach. The focus is not on me what I’ve learnt and what I need to do…

“Why would I care what people say?”

Marshall conceded the distractions of last week may have got the better of some players. They have tried to put it all to one side as they play their first match at Leichhardt Oval in 2025.

“Last week with all the distractions up and down with what happened, everyone can chill now,” Marshall said.

“He has handled it incredibly well given his age. Nineteen years old to go through all this stuff is quite hectic.”

It is unclear what type of reception Galvin will receive from the home fans but his teammates have this week urged them not to heckle the young half.

Marshall said it would be an easy fix.

“Pretty positive I think,” Marshall said. “The dust has settled a little bit since last week….if he sets up a try early or scores one that will help.”