Lachlan Galvin set to join Bulldogs effective immediately
Lachlan Galvin is set to leave the Wests Tigers and join a rival club effective immediately as NRL supremo Phil Gould gets his way.
NRL
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Lachlan Galvin is reportedly set to leave the Wests Tigers and join the Canterbury Bulldogs in the coming weeks.
Galvin informed the Tigers earlier this year he wouldn’t be staying at the joint venture club beyond the 2026 season, when his contract expires.
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There has been persistent speculation that Galvin’s camp and the Tigers have been seeking an early release from his contract and it appears that has been achieved.
Code Sports reported James Hooper reported on Sunday afternoon Galvin had informed those close to him he will be joining the Bulldogs this season.
Galvin has reportedly signed a three-and-a-half year deal with the Bulldogs.
“This is going to be a big story,” rugby leage reporter James Hooper told Triple M’s Sunday Sin Bin.
“Lachlan Galvin is telling people close to him that it looks as though he will be signing with Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs. That’s going to be big.”
Canterbury will have to pay the Tigers a $165,000 transfer fee to acquire Galvin mid-season.
The Parramatta Eels were also in the mix to poach Galvin, but it appears they have missed out to the Bulldogs.
Galvin turned down a $6 million contract extension offer from the Tigers and is expected to sign a deal worth around $750,000 per season with the Bulldogs.
Remarkably, the 19-year-old is taking a $2 million paycut to leave the Tigers.
The development confirms rumours Bulldogs’ general manager of football Phil Gould has been working behind the scenes to negotiate a deal to lure Galvin from the Tigers.
“We still haven’t closed off on a deal yet, and there are still some things that have got to be worked out with the West Tigers,” Gould told Nine on Sunday..
“I would hope that in the next 48 hours we have far greater clarity. But Lachlan, to his credit, has come out and said his preference was the Bulldogs, so we’ll try and accommodate that.”
“What happened this week is the goalpost got moved incredibly, because all of a sudden we got a call on Tuesday from (hi) manager (Isaac Moses) to say that there was a chance they were negotiating a release with the Tigers and he would be available virtually now.”
Triple M host Ben Dobbin said it comes following “cryptic messages from Phil Gould over the past 12 months that he’s always been a huge fan of (Galvin)”.
Hooper added: “In this instance he clearly didn’t want to show that the Bulldogs were going to make a play for Lachlan Galvin. They certainly have now.”
Galvin could play for the Bulldogs as soon as round 14 when Canterbury take on Parramatta.
“The Bulldogs have got the bye this week, but beyond that, when the NRL returns in round 14 I think we see Lachie Galvin lining up in the blue and white and I’m thinking he may well wear the No. 7 jumper,” Hooper said.
Halfback Toby Sexton has been in solid form this season but his contract at the Bulldogs expires at the end of this season, and Gould has been coy about Sexton’s future at the club.
“Toby’s on a journey of development. We’re working with Toby and we’ll worry about the roster later,” Gould said earlier this month.
Gould also cryptically tweeted: “Plenty happening at the moment … Things are bubbling away behind the scenes … Interesting few weeks ahead …”
Gould’s lavish praise of Galvin last year sparked speculation he was chasing the teenager’s signagure.
“I think he’s the best teenage footballer I’ve ever seen. I think what he is doing is absolutely extraordinary,” Gould said of Galvin last year on his Six Tackles with Gus podcast.
“Lachlan Galvin will earn more money out of rugby league than any other player in history.“In the future, whoever has Lachlan Galvin in their side will be winning premierships.”
Former Bulldogs hardman James Graham told Triple M Galvin will need to “earn” the right to replace Sexton as halfback.
“If Galvin is at the Dogs, I think he needs to earn that No. 7 jersey,” Graham said.
“If you look at the potential to upset what has been built there under (coach Cameron) Ciraldo and Gus, he’s got to earrn the trust of his new teammates because they’ve built something special there, they really have.
“I think this can add to them. I don’t think this is something that’s going to take away from the Bulldogs’ premiership opportunities.”
Galvin to trigger Dogs reshuffle
According to Code Sports, Galvin’s signing is set to trigger a domino effect on the rest of Canterbury’s roster.
Fullback Connor Tracey is reportedly tipped to make way so Matt Burton can move from five-eighth.
Sexton is without a contract beyong this year and Bailey Hayward, Josh Curran, Reed Mahoney, Sam Hughes and Viliame Kikau are are free to negotiate with rival clubs from November.
Penrith great Greg Alexander said on Fox League: “It’s no surprise to see him (Galvin) go to the Dogs.
“But I always thought it would be a better fit at Parramatta playing outside Mitch Moses. The Eels need a five-eighth and Dylan Brown’s gone. But that’s not how it’s going to be.”
Former Bulldog Mick Ennis said: “I love the signing. The Bulldogs have an opportunity and they’ve had extreme growth.
“They will find room for him. My understanding is we’re going to see a reshuffle to the Canterbury side.”
Braith Anasta said: “I hear Reed Mahoney is a chance of being moved on. That’s not from any good source but I’ve heard that over the past 12 months,” Anasta said.
Tigers legend on Galvin: ‘See ya later’
Balmain Tigers legend Roach, who urged Galvin to show “loyalty” to the Tigers earlier this year, said it was time for the two parties to go their separate ways.
“You’ve got to want to play for your club,” Roach told news.com.au.
“I’m old school. If you don’t want to be there, see ya later. Good luck to him.
“I think he does some good things and he’s got potential but I don’t think he’s the type of player they’re saying he is. He’s not a Fittler or a Daley yet. Maybe it’s a little bit of overhype.
“He’s got ability, he’s going to be good. But maybe they’ve pumped him up a bit too much too early.
Originally published as Lachlan Galvin set to join Bulldogs effective immediately
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