When Lachlan Galvin is expected to make Bulldogs debut

Lachlan Galvin is expected to make his Canterbury debut against Parramatta – the club he rejected to sign with the Bulldogs – as Wests Tigers lawyers finalise his release from the club.

Lachlan Galvin has been excused from training commitments and overlooked for selection with the Wests Tigers as lawyers thrash out the final details of his release to join the Bulldogs.

Tigers coach Benji Marshall omitted Galvin from the side he named on Tuesday to face North Queensland in Townsville this weekend, instead pulling a selection surprise by naming Heath Mason at five-eighth.

Mason played plenty of his junior football in the halves and has worn the No.6 jersey in a handful of games in NSW Cup this season.

Yet most of his top grade experience has been at fullback or off the interchange bench, and the decision to partner him with Jarome Luai came from left field.

Adam Doueihi was another option at five-eighth, having played in the position for much of his career and spent time in the halves this season, but he has been named in the centres to face the Cowboys.

Lachlan Galvin was overlooked for selection in Round 13 as the Wests Tigers finalise the terms of his release to the Bulldogs. Picture: NRL Photos

It means in Galvin’s absence, Mason has been given first shot at playing five-eighth while the club awaits the return of Latu Fainu from a hamstring injury.

Galvin, meanwhile, is expected to officially be unveiled as a Canterbury player this week once the legal details of his release have been finalised and the Bulldogs pay the $175,000 transfer fee for his signature.

It is understood lawyers for the club and Galvin were working on the final details of the move on Tuesday afternoon ahead of his switch to the Bulldogs in coming days.

The league leaders have the bye this weekend and it is understood they are not due to return to training until later in the week.

However, there is every chance that Galvin will appear at the club’s Belmore headquarters before then as he looks to acclimatise to his new surroundings before his first grade teammates return from their mini-break.

Galvin could make his Bulldogs debut against the Parramatta Eels. Picture: Tom Parrish

Before that can happen, Galvin needs to secure a formal release from the Tigers and sign a contract with the Bulldogs, which is expected to take place in the next day or so.

The Tigers confirmed they had made the decision to excuse Galvin from training while his release was being finalised.

“Wests Tigers have made a decision to not select Lachlan Galvin in any grade,” the club said.

“He has also been excused from training commitments this week.”

Galvin’s first game is expected to be against Parramatta – the club he rejected to sign with the Dogs – on the King’s Birthday holiday.

Despite the high-profile nature of his defection and the Bulldogs’ financial commitment – he is on a deal believed to be worth upwards of $700,000 a season – Galvin is not expected to walk into the side.

There is every chance he will start life as a Bulldogs player off the interchange bench and be given time to find his feet in a side that is leading the competition.

Originally published as When Lachlan Galvin is expected to make Bulldogs debut