Lachlan Galvin recalled to Wests Tigers side in bombshell development, Benji Marshall’s four words to exiled star

Lachlan Galvin’s stint in NSW Cup has been cut short, with Benji Marshall delivering a short, sharp message to let the recalled star know he was back for Round 8.

Lachlan Galvin’s dramatically short stint in the NSW Cup came to an end after he was called to a meeting with Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall at training on Tuesday morning.

The most-publicised 19-year-old in the NRL sat down opposite Marshall with the same positive energy that he has portrayed ever since the club released a statement 10-days ago declaring he wouldn’t be at the club beyond 2026.

Still hurting from the Tigers 38-22 defeat to the Eels on Easter Monday, Marshall told Galvin simply: “We need to win, that’s why I’m picking you.”

Benji Marshall has recalled Lachlan Galvin. Picture: Supplied

Galvin has been recalled to play five-eighth alongside co-captain Jarome Luai, the Wests Tigers leader who only last week backed the club’s stance to axe the teenager.

Adam Doueihi has been shifted to the centres for Galvin’s recall.

It’s understood Marshall also told Galvin that his attitude, in refraining from “spitting the dummy” after being dropped to play for Western Suburbs in the NSW Cup at Lidcombe Oval on Monday, was also a factor in his recall to tackle Cronulla at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday afternoon.

The Tigers home game is the first this season at their spiritual home, prompting fears that Galvin could become a target for upset fans.

There is a school of thought that Galvin is being thrown to the wolves, such is the intense environment and ability for fans to be on top of the players at the grand old ground.

Marshall warned fans and the media to back-off Galvin last week and it’s anticipated he will use his pre-game press conference in coming days to remind supporters to show Galvin respect when he plays against the Sharks on Sunday.

Chief executive Shane Richardson insisted the decision to recall Galvin was down to Marshall - albeit the senior players in the side playing a major role in his demotion last week.

Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson watching the Tigers in action against Parramatta on Easter Monday. Picture: NRL Imagery

Asked whether Galvin still needed to win over the leadership team that played a part in his axing, Richardson said: “Benji Marshall’s the head coach. As I said before, he’s got a massive support amongst the team.

“We built a great leadership team and I’m really happy with who they are - and the ones underneath them as well.”

“But my point is ...it’s Benji’s decision. If he thought it was best to bring him back to play this week to beat Cronulla, then he’s made the decision to do so.

“Now that’s his call and I’m sure he’s consulted with the leadership group. But like last week he might consult, but at the end of the day he picks the team that he thinks can win.

“This week, we feel that Galvin showed great spirit last week, did the right thing in second grade - some of the players were out there and saw that.

“What he did was rebuild faith in a lot of ways, which is fantastic, and showed that he wants to be part of the team going forward.”

Richardson backed Marshall’s decision to drop Galvin last week and recall him for the Sharks game.

Marshall speaking to media on Monday. Picture: NRL imagery

Lachlan Galvin in action for the Magpies during the NSW Cup clash on Monday. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

“I really think that Benji felt with all the emotion and all the things that were going on - the players emotions and everything else - that we would be a better chance of beating Parramatta without him playing in that game and with all the hassles that would go with leading up to the game,” Richardson said.

“I honestly believe and I’ve said all along, and I’ll say it again today, we will always select the team that Benji thinks will win the game.

“Now, he felt last week that it was better not having him in the game. This week, he feels it’ll be better to bring him back into the game. He played second grade on the weekend - he himself would say he didn’t play well - but I’ll tell you what he did do, he competed on every single play.

“He put 80 minutes into it and showed a lot of character in doing so. I gave him the option not to play and he chose to play.

“I’m so proud of him for it.”

Originally published as Lachlan Galvin recalled to Wests Tigers side in bombshell development, Benji Marshall’s four words to exiled star