Matty Johns: Wests Tigers’ flawed priorities exposed amid Lachlan Galvin axing

If I’m Benji Marshall, I couldn’t care less whether Lachlan Galvin thinks I can coach or not, writes MATTY JOHNS. The decision to drop the young star, particularly long-term, is a mistake.

Like the house in the street that sells for a record price, the enormity of Dylan Brown’s contract has sent the playmaker market into a frenzy.

Without Brown, there’s no way a 19-year-old playmaker of promise gets offered $6 million over five years and then rejects it.

If we apply real estate terms to the playmaker market, Lachlan Galvin is a north-facing four-bedroom Federation house in a much sought-after neighbourhood.

The house needs a bit of work, but it sits on a big block, has great bones and the potential to build up.

The asking price is well over current market value, but in three years time it might be a steal …. might.

For potential buyers get to the auction early, there’s gonna be plenty of people bidding.

Lachlan Galvin has been the talk of the NRL this week. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Galvin is not a typical playmaker, not in 2025 terms anyway. The way he moves, the way he holds the football and how he holds himself in contact is old school.

Galvin isn’t a seven, but he’s not a pure six either. His style is a hybrid of six and 13.

A tough player, a tremendous runner of the football, who looks more comfortable throwing a pass short than long.

Still only a kid, his skills are obvious, but like all rookie playmakers he’s hit and miss with execution.

It will be still some time until he learns how to apply and refine the skills he has.

GALVIN DRAWS WADE GRAHAM COMPARISONS

On arrival in the top grade there was no one aspect of his game that stood above others.

When Benji Marshall and Brad Fittler arrived, their trademark was the big sidestep. For Nathan Cleary, it was poise. With Ricky Stuart, his long towering kicks.

Galvin’s a Swiss Army knife; he has a bit of everything in his kit bag.

If I had to compare him to any playmaker at that age, it would be Wade Graham.

Galvin is more like a teenage Wade Graham. Picture: AAP Image/Action Photographics

Benji Marshall burst onto the scene with his trademark sidestep. Picture: Gareth Morgan

Graham burst onto the scene at Penrith as a teenage five-eighth, but even then his traits were more akin to a ball-playing second-rower. Jason Smith comes to mind.

But let’s talk the now.

WHO IS MAKING THE CALLS?

The Tigers have been dudded.

Can this club get some clear air?

Just when they start to gel and look like a finals chance, their best young footballer, around whom they were going to build their future campaigns, announces he’s out.

So keen to go, in fact, he’s leaving $6 million on the table.

Who is making the calls at the Tigers? Picture: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

I really hope this is purely Galvin’s decision. Young players of great talent tend to have plenty of voices in their ears and the very nature of youth is the inability of identifying who’s looking out for you and who’s using you for their own purposes.

I can understand how the Tigers feel slighted, but I think dropping the kid, particularly long-term, is a mistake.

TIGERS’ FLAWED PRIORITIES

Although under contract until the end of next season, it’s highly likely he’ll be wearing a rival jersey in 2026 … but why sacrifice 2025?

Why are future seasons more important than the present?

With Galvin firing, the Tigers are showing they are a big chance of playing finals, a far less chance if he’s stuck playing NSW Cup.

If I’m Benji Marshall, I couldn’t care less if the kid thinks I can coach or not.

“Son, I’m picking you and you’re gonna win for me.”

Senior players told Marshall they didn’t want him in the side, but at the end of the day Marshall is the coach and his coaching future will be decided on how this team performs between now and October.

The Tigers are a better team this season with Galvin in it.

Apart from playing finals football, they’ll need to attract a player of quality to replace Galvin, and recruitment is far easier when you’re enjoying wins rather than enduring losses.

LACHLAN GALVIN SWEEPSTAKES

They’ll be plenty of clubs clamouring for Galvin. The four most likely destinations, Parramatta, Canterbury, Manly and the Sydney Roosters.

Although many are ruling out the Roosters with their chairman, Nick Politis, refusing to deal with Galvin’s agent, Isaac Moses.

The Bulldogs are the favourites. Galvin’s traits are exactly what their general manager of football, Phil Gould, looks for in his footballers. And Canterbury’s rise and rise holds a lot of appeal.

Galvin is Phil Gould’s style of footballer. Picture: NewsWire/Gaye Gerard

Manly have their sights set on Jamal Fogarty with a two-year deal, but Galvin may take priority if they sense they can land him and Isaac Moses has strong links to the Sea Eagles.

And then there’s Parramatta, the club which need him most. If the Eels were in the midst of a strong start to the season they’d be odds-on favourites, but their current plight has them easing.

For Galvin, similar to Dylan Brown, it’s gonna be a testing few months.

He’ll be scrutinised and analysed with each performance.

Tigers fans have endured more pain than any other supporter base in recent history and they will vent their anger and disappointment as they have every right to.

On Tuesday, Galvin released a statement giving reasons for his exit and expressing his gratitude to the club and its fans.

Lachie, don’t waste your time with statements. When you return to the team, be the best player on the field and take the team to the finals.