Tigers chairman Barry O’Farrell’s Lachlan Galvin plea amid growing fan safety fears
An emotional crowd will greet Lachlan Galvin as he returns against his former club on Sunday, sparking fears the situation could get out of hand.
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Wests Tigers chairman Barry O’Farrell has urged emotional Tigers fans to show restraint as Lachlan Galvin returns for the first time against his former team on Sunday.
Tigers fans have promised to taunt and hurl abuse at Galvin, who left Concord for Belmore in late May which sparked widespread anger from fans of the joint venture club.
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But with staunch Bulldogs supporters vowing to protect their youngster from any abuse thrown his way, there are growing fears Sunday’s grudge match could quickly escalate and get out of hand.
On social media, the Tigers faithful - who are still filthy at their former star’s mid-season exit - insist Galvin will be booed every time he touches the ball, while others say it is their chance to “have their say” and let their feelings be known.
But Wests Tigers chairman has called for peace and urged fans not to boo Galvin or rile up Canterbury fans, telling Code Sports: “I don’t think people should bag any player, quite frankly”
“The idea that you take a set against any player is crazy. I want Lachie Galvin to thrive as I want every Wests Tigers player to thrive,” he continued.
“The one thing that unites everybody is that we love rugby league and we want everybody who is playing rugby league to be a champion, and that includes Lachie Galvin, and includes everyone on my team.
“I don’t quite understand people having anti-passions in rugby league.
“One thing that unites us all, even me, who has never been very favourable towards Manly, is the fact that without your opponent, there isn’t a game and then there’s nothing to do on weekends and life gets boring.
“We should focus on supporting Wests Tigers and cheering the return of Jahream Bula.”
A massive crowd is expected to fill CommBank this weekend, and the hopes are that the Tigers faithful will be able to somewhat move on from Galvin’s betrayal, putting their energy into supporting his replacement, rising star Latu Fainu.
But the reality is the fans who once cheered Galvin’s every move will be either publicly or privately baying for blood, and as for his former teammates, one or two are sure to have placed a target on his back.
But that doesn’t concern Canterbury chief executive Aaron Warburton, who, when quizzed about Galvin earlier this week, said: “Of course there’ll be emotion from Tigers fans – that’s rugby league.
“But Lachlan’s focus is entirely on helping the Bulldogs win, not on crowd reactions. He’s approached every challenge since joining us with professionalism and determination. Sunday will be no different.”
Sunday’s game is not one to be missed, but both clubs are hoping the emotion of the situation remains under control and fans are on their best behaviour.
Originally published as Tigers chairman Barry O’Farrell’s Lachlan Galvin plea amid growing fan safety fears
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