Lachlan Galvin’s legal move amid Wests Tigers bullying claim

The increasingly bitter feud between teenage star Lachlan Galvin and the Wests Tigers has taken another dramatic twist.

The escalating feud between Lachlan Galvin and the Wests Tigers has taken another ugly turn after reports of a legal move surfaced from the young playmaker’s camp.

In a story already featuring enough twists and turns to make Agatha Christie proud, Galvin has been under an intense glare ever since he turned down a massive $6 million contract extension from the Tigers almost a week ago.

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There has been speculation the 19-year-old is unhappy with his place in the joint-venture club’s pecking order after its recent recruiting drive, along with claims he has issues with Benji Marshall’s coaching and development style.

The saga took a darker turn after social media posts perceived as whacking Galvin sent by teammates Jarome Luai and Sunia Turuva led to claims the teenager was being bullied, which the claim vehemently denied.

Lachlan Galvin’s team has reportedly made a major move. Photo Jeremy Piper

But according to CODE Sports, that perception prompted Galvin’s management team to send a legal letter to the Tigers alleging he had been bullied and the club had failed to provide a safe working environment.

NRL prodigy Galvin, who went to the highly regarded Westfields Sports High School and represented the Australian Schoolboys before being cut loose by Parramatta, signed with the Tigers ahead of the 2024 season.

He made his senior debut in round two of that season and has made 27 appearances for the club, including all six matches to date this year.

But the five-eighth was dropped to the NSW Cup this weekend in a move Marshall said was “the best thing for the team this week”.

Co-captains Jarome Luai and Apisai Koroisau speaking about the saga. Photo Jeremy Piper

At a tense press conference last Thursday, Marshall strongly refuted any allegations of bullying towards the five-eighth.

“I don’t think he’s being bullied by the other players,” Marshall snapped.

“I think emotional responses to things happening might seem like it, but there’s been no sense of bullying at our club and we don’t stand for bullying.

“I talked to the team about it this morning. That’s not us. We’re not bullies. Our players are not bullies.

“They had emotional reactions to one of their teammates, but it’s not bullying. I can guarantee you that.”

Kevin Walters has voiced his thoughts on Galvin’s predicament. Picture: NRL Images

When it was revealed Galvin wouldn’t sign an extension with the Tigers, it became clear he plans to leave the club when his contract expires at the end of 2026.

But few people now expect him to hang around that long, with reports already linking Galvin with moves to the Bulldogs or back to the Eels.

Former Broncos coach Kevin Walters weighed into the ongoing drama on Saturday, stating his belief Galvin has been bullied and should be trying to get out of the club as soon as possible.

“It’s bullying, 100 per cent,” Walters said.

“How would you feel if you were Benji Marshall and the Wests Tigers management?

“They would be absolutely filthy.

“They were just starting to gain respect and now they’ve been pulled apart by this.

“I don’t think he can stay.

“If I was Lachie Galvin, I would be saying ‘mate get me out of here now because these blokes don’t want me here’.”

While Walters was squarely in Galvin’s corner when it came to the treatment of the 19-year-old, he dismissed suggestions Marshall could be limiting the youngster’s development.

“I reckon that is absolute bulls**t,” Walters said.

“Benji knows the game backwards, as a five-eighth and halfback, as a leader, as being the best player — being the star player.”

Originally published as Lachlan Galvin’s legal move amid Wests Tigers bullying claim