By Christian Nicolussi and Michael Chammas
Benji Marshall insisted Wests Tigers players were “not bullies” following a series of social media posts from teammates that ridiculed Lachie Galvin for wanting to leave the club at the end of 2026.
Marshall also revealed he felt “sorry” for Galvin because of the public backlash over his decision to not accept a contract extension, and told him as late as Thursday morning how he still viewed him as the future of the Tigers.
In one of the most tumultuous weeks for the Tigers – and there have been a few over the years – Marshall and co-captains Jarome Luai and Api Koroisau fronted the media to discuss Galvin.
The 19-year-old made it known he was not interested in a contract extension beyond 2026 because he felt Marshall could not get the best out of him.
The Tigers reacted by declaring they had no interest in him remaining at the club beyond that time, then dumped him to reserve grade this weekend.
Marshall said it was his decision, not the senior players’, to axe the young star, but Galvin’s days in the NRL at the club were far from over.
A rare moment of eye contact between Lachie Galvin and coach Benji Marshall.Credit: Renee Nowytarger
Winger Sunia Turuva was one player who took a shot at Galvin on Instagram, which Marshall said was “not something we wanted”.
“But I don’t think he [Galvin] is being bullied by the other players,” Marshall said.
“I think emotional responses to things happening might seem like it [bullying], but there’s been no bullying at our club.
“We don’t stand for bullying. I spoke to the team about it this morning and how that’s not us.
“We are not bullies, our players are not bullies, they had an emotional reaction to one of their teammates, but that’s not bullying. I guarantee you that.”
Luai and Koroisau were said to be angry when they heard the news, and relayed those feelings to Galvin, with Luai also taking to social media.
When asked about that post, Luai said: “I was throwing my support behind the coach and behind what we stand for as a club.
“We’re working hard to have ‘team first’ behaviours, and making sure that’s built from the bottom up.
“He’s our coach, and if you’re disrespecting him, you’re disrespecting us as a team. I don’t stand for that.”
On the hop: Api Koroisau and Lachie Galvin at training on ThursdayCredit: Renee Nowytarger
Pressed on how he would feel about Galvin returning to first grade, Luai said: “If the timing is right, and the coach is happy with that, at the end of the day it’s his call with team selections – he’ll do what’s best for the team.
“If he [Galvin] is in the right mindset, and his heart is in the right spot, and he deserves to wear the jersey, then by all means.”
Marshall said he was “shocked” and “disappointed” by the news Galvin was not keen to pledge his future to the club, and was not bothered by suggestions it was because of his own coaching ability.
“Everyone thinks I can’t coach anyway,” Marshall said.
“I spoke to Lachie this morning, I actually feel really sorry for him, he’s a young kid who wants to do what’s best for his future, and the reaction has been overwhelming for him.
Lachie Galvin prepares for Wests Tigers training on Thursday.Credit: Renee Nowytarger
“I can understand that, I’ve been in his shoes, and know what it’s like, and what the pressure is like.
“We have to remember he’s a 19-year-old kid who loves footy.
“I love coaching Lachie. I said it to him this morning, ‘I enjoy coaching you, you’re a pleasure to coach, I actually think you’re the future at the club, even though you don’t think you are now’.”
Galvin took the field around 10.20am for the first time since it emerged he would exit the club.
On a sunny Thursday morning in Concord, in Sydney’s inner-west, Galvin wore an orange training shirt with the rest of the NSW Cup players.
His teammates who will play in the Easter Monday NRL game against Parramatta wore black training jerseys.
Galvin, decked out on pink boots, was smiling a lot of the time, and no doubt aware of the large media contingent in the stands.
But it was also noticeable that he barely made eye contact with Marshall and a few of the senior players who had over the past few days taken to social media to express their disappointment over the 19-year-old’s decision to quit the club at the end of the 2026 season.
Galvin hung close to prop Alex Twal during a few of the warm-up drills, then had a play fight with one of his best mates, hooker Tallyn Da Silva.
When it came to the opposed session – the reserve-grade players versus the NRL squad – Galvin marked up on Adam Doueihi, who has been named at halfback for Monday.
How much longer Galvin remains in reserve grade – or at the Tigers – will be one of the big talking points in the game in coming months.
Tigers chairman, former NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell, made a cameo in the stands.
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