Legend’s telling ‘loyalty’ call on Tigers young gun amid Luai dilemma

Wests Tigers young gun Lachie Galvin is set for a big payday on his next contract, and a club legend hopes he doesn’t jump ship.

Tigers legend Steve ‘Blocker’ Roach says he hopes Lachie Galvin shows “loyalty” by re-signing to the Tigers as rivals look to recruit the talented young playmaker.

The Wests Tigers are 1-1 and will look to claim a second win of the season against the Dolphins at Redcliffe on Saturday afternoon, which you can watch on Fox League on Kayo Sports.

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Galvin, 19, is only in his second season but has quickly emerged as one of the best young playmakers in the NRL.

Such is the scarcity of halves, clubs including the Bulldogs and Parramatta are already rumoured to be looking to poach Galvin and give him a massive payrise for a deal worth as much as $800,000.

“I hope he shows a bit of loyalty,” Roach told news.com.au.

“I know it’s a big business now. The Tigers gave him and opportunity and he’s played a fair few first grade games.

“It depends on who he listens to, that’s the big thing. Whether you listen to management or your family or whatever.

“I would like to see him stay at the Tigers for a while, just to build that combination with Luai and just show a little bit of loyalty to someone that’s given you a chance.

“Hopping around for the money, I don’t know if that works. You finish your career and it’s pretty good if people know you were loyal.”

Clubs are sniffing around Tigers playmaker Lachie Galvin. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Roach added that both Luai and Galvin play a natural running game, and while Luai is wearing the No. 7 jersey, it may take some time for the pair to settle into the flow of game management.

“Luai is starting to hit his straps,” the Balmain legend said.

“I think he might be giving Lachie Galvin a bit of a roaming option to just run the ball.

“As we know, Luai’s a great runner of the football but I think he’s just sitting back at the moment, letting Lachie be the ball runner and he organises the whole crew playing at halfback.

“If you ask me for a personal opinion, I think Luai’s a runner and I think Galvin’s a runner too. It’s a double threat for the Tigers but someone has to control the narrative of the game, the kicking game and that sort of stuff.

“At the moment they’re leaning on Luai to do that.”

Jarome Luai is playing halfback for the Tigers. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Both Lachie Galvin and Luai are great ball runners. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Roach said improving the defence and limiting opposition scores would be the next step for the Tigers to turn into a quality team.

“You’ve got to keep teams under 18 (points) if you’re going to make the semi-finals and do anything in the competition,” Roach said.

“I’d like to see them nullify sides from scoring a lot of points.

“If they make the eight it will be a surprise, but if they finish around 10th to 12th it will have been a pretty good season.”

‘Time will tell’ if Benji is the man

Benji Marshall has been a bit prickly is his post-game press conferences so far this season as the 2005 premiership hero looks to silence his critics.

The jury is out on Benji Marshall as a head coach. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Roach said “time will tell” if Marshall is the man to take the Tigers to the next level, given his relative lack of coaching experience.

“You can’t blame Benji for taking the job...but just because you’re the best player doesn’t mean you’re going to be a good coach,” Roach said.

“I would have expected him to do a little bit more of an apprenticeship in the lower grades. I don’t see how people are handed the reigns when they don’t have the experience, but that’s just my opinion.

“Time will tell. If the Tigers go on a trot and make the eight this year, it’s a brilliant move.

“But going on last year, you would say he struggled a little bit. But you’ve got to have the personnel to win big games.”

New Tigers recruit tipped for Origin debut

Matty Johns was singing the praises of Terrell May last weekend and Roach believes the reliable prop is a massive chance of being picked in NSW’s State of Origin side.

“I think Terrell May’s been absolutely outstanding. I wouldn’t be surprised leading into State of Origin, he might sneak into the 17.

“He’s probably been their best player. The thing I love about him is he just goes about his business.”

NRL Super Saturday on Fox League (all times AEDT)

Cronulla Sharks vs South Sydney Rabbitohs, 3pm

Dolphins vs Wests Tigers, 5.30pm

Gold Coast Titans vs Newcastle Knights, 7.35pm

Originally published as Legend’s telling ‘loyalty’ call on Tigers young gun amid Luai dilemma