Luai relationship behind shock exit, players want Galvin gone in Tigers crisis

A key relationship behind Lachie Galvin’s exit from the Tigers is under scrutiny, as internal unrest builds amid calls for the club to cut him loose.

Jarome Luai’s relationship with Benji Marshall has emerged as a key factor in Lachlan Galvin’s shock departure from the Wests Tigers as reports of internal unrest filter out from the club.

Galvin’s departure is a brutal blow for the Tigers, who had been looking to tie down the gifted five-eighth on a new deal, but he and his management have knocked back that offer and have no plans on reviewing the terms of the deal.

FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE in 4K with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer.

The Tigers said in a statement on Monday: “We would like to announce that Lachlan Galvin will not be with the club beyond the 2026 season,” a club statement read.

“Despite the club having the largest contract offer for a junior in the history of the club on the table, Lachlan and his management have decided his future lies elsewhere and were not willing to review the offer.”

The Tigers were reportedly tabling a five-year, $6 million deal including an upgrade on his current contract for next season.

Galvin is contracted until the end of 2026, and the club has strongly denied any suggestions he’ll be released early. He will now field monster offers in November from other clubs, with the Bulldogs, Roosters and Eels some of the obvious landing spots.

Lachie Galvin is leaving the Wests Tigers in a brutal blow to the club. Picture: Richard Dobson

Galvin’s relationship with Tigers coach Benji Marshall is believed to be a key reason behind his departure, with the teenager reportedly unhappy with the direction of the coaching and mentorship from Marshall, who won the 2005 NRL premiership with the Tigers.

“The excuse about Benji not being a good coach seems like a cop out,” Panthers legend Greg Alexander said on SEN on Tuesday.

“He’s been agitating from the get go. It’s been a testy relationship the whole way along. How is that healthy?”

Luai relationship under scrutiny

It is also being reported that Galvin was not content to play second fiddle to Luai in the halves at the Tigers. According to the SMH, there is a perception at the Tigers Galvin was wary of Marshall’s close relationship with Luai.

Benji Marshall’s relationship with Jarome Luai is believed to be a factor in Galvin’s decision. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Tigers legend Steve Roach told news.com.au last month both Luai and Galvin have a natural running game and it would take time for the duo to settle into a rhythm and decide which of the two would shoulder the bulk of the game management role.

“If you ask me for a personal opinion, I think Luai’s a runner and I think Galvin’s a runner too,” Roach said.

“It’s a double threat for the Tigers but someone has to control the narrative of the game, the kicking game and that sort of stuff. At the moment they’re leaning on Luai to do that.

“I hope he shows a bit of loyalty,” the Balmain great said of Galvin’s looming contract call.

“I would like to see him stay at the Tigers for a while, just to build that combination with Luai and just show a little bit of loyalty to someone that’s given you a chance.”

Lachie Galvin and Jarome Luai were seen as a long term halves combination at the Tigers.

It comes amid reports of unrest within the Tigers, with CODE Sports reporting senior figures in the playing group would prefer to see young gun Latu Fainu playing instead of Galvin.

Galvin is currently earning $250,000-300,000 this season so demoting him to reserve grade wouldn’t hurt the Tigers from a salary cap point of view.

Adam Douehi and Jack Bird are options to replace him at five-eighth, or the Tigers could blood Fainu when he returns from injury.

In another sign of internal unrest, Tigers prop Fonua Pole has liked a post on a Tigers fan page that slammed Galvin for making the decision to leave the club.

Latu Fainu is expected to replace Galvin at five-eighth at the Tigers. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

The Instagram post liked by Fonua Pole. Photo: Instagram.

Tigers urged to move on from Galvin ‘straight away’

Melbourne Storm legend Cameron Smith believes the situation may come to a point where the Tigers will want to cut Galvin loose in a bid to prevent animosity brewing at the club.

Similar debate has emerged about whether Parramatta should release Dylan Brown now after the five-eighth signed with Newcastle for next season.

“It’s a difficult situation to be in, right,” Smith said on Nine’s 100% Footy, adding he’d be happy for Galvin to “move on straight away”.

“Particularly in that team environment when you’ve got a young guy playing in a key position, comes out and says, ‘Look I don’t want to be apart of this club moving forward’.

“While I was playing, if there was ever a player who came out and spoke about that, I’d be happy for them to move on because I want players involved in my club and my team that want to be there to make a difference.

“I think that’s what will happen. If there’s an opportunity that arises for the Tigers to find a replacement for Lachie, he won’t be there next year. Hopefully that’s the case for himself and the Wests Tigers.”

Originally published as Luai relationship behind shock exit, players want Galvin gone in Tigers crisis