Wests Tigers heavyweights Api Koroisau, Jarome Luai and Benji Marshall address Lachlan Galvin drama

Besieged Wests Tigers star Lachlan Galvin has turned down an offer to stand himself down from NSW Cup, while coach Benji Marshall made an impassioned plea to leave the teenager alone. WATCH THE VIDEO

Amid an inferno of abusive threats from the public and claims of bullying, Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson pulled besieged teenager Lachlan Galvin aside before training at Concord Oval on Thursday morning.

Aware of threatening emails sent to the club, the boss of the Tigers gave the 19-year-old the option of standing down from playing NSW Cup for Western Suburbs on Easter Monday.

Galvin simply replied: “I want to play.’’

The stoic gumption of Galvin added another a chapter to a tumultuous week at the Wests Tigers, which included the most intense press conference of the season.

Benji Marshall made an impassioned plea for the threats to stop against Galvin and that he be left alone to focus on his football as he deals with the firestorm that has enveloped his decision to leave the club at the end of 2026.

Galvin was dropped to NSW Cup this week after informing the club that he planned to leave at the end of his existing deal (2026), insisting it was a decision made in the best interests of his development.

Marshall conceded he was of the belief that his coaching was part of the issue that prompted Galvin’s decision to reject an extension and declare his future was elsewhere.

“I was shocked by it and a little bit disappointed but everyone thinks I can’t coach anyway,” Marshall said.

Galvin will play reserve grade this week. Picture: Jeremy Piper

“But I’ll always back the way I do things. I want what’s best and will do what’s best and if I’m not the best option (as Tigers coach) I’ll go.’’

Asked whether Galvin could change his mind and stay, Marshall said he didn’t have a crystal ball.

“He’s contracted here for 18-months, whether that happens or not, I can’t comment on the future. It’s the decision I make,’’ Marshall said.

However, he called for Galvin to be given some space given the fan outrage and media attention in recent days“I’m trying to be as genuine to who I am through this whole process and what the pressure does, that makes you try and think you need to be something else or change the way you are,’’ Marshall said.

“I’m not going to change the way I am, okay? And I’ve got care for Lachie. That’s been clear forever.

“I’ve never, not once, put him in a position where he felt uncomfortable. And I’m all about the mental wellbeing of our players.

“This has been tough for him and his parents. They’re good people. People need to understand they’re really good people and they want the best for their son.

“And as a parent, I put myself in that position – I’d be the same, wanting the same for my son. So we need to just take a chill pill on the things we’re saying and to him, the threats and all that stuff, like, it’s rugby league.

“The kid is going to move on at the end of 2026. When he goes, the club will move on and so will we.

“So let’s just chill with all the shit that’s coming his way and just let him play footy.”

When questioned about the Instagram post from Tigers winger Sunia Turuva, featuring an image of Galvin’s locker to the music “Here Comes The Money,” Marshall said he would have preferred the drama, which many have viewed as bullying, not spill onto social media.

“Look, I don’t think it’s something we wanted, to be honest,” Marshall said.

“Crossing the line? I don’t know. I think it was an emotional response, again, to something as a teammate.

“And unless you have played in team sports, you won’t get it and understand what that means.

“Yeah, sure, I don’t think he should have done it. Will he get a slap on the wrist? No, we’ll deal with it internally. We don’t need that.”Moments after training alongside Galvin at Wests Tigers headquarters at Concord Oval on Thursday, Luai joined co-captain Api Koroisau and Marshall at a tense media conference where they laid bare the depth of distrust within the playing ranks at the Tigers.

In a surprising confession, Luai went so far as to reveal that he and his fellow members within the leadership group had yet to front Galvin over his decision last Thursday to reject the club’s overtures to extend his contract by a further five-years worth $6 million.

“Not since all of this has come out,’’ Luai said when asked if he had spoken to Galvin about the saga.

“It’s been a bit messy. But things happen, and I think we’ve done a really good job of focusing on what we need to do this week.’’

Asked if Galvin would be welcomed back into the team after being dropped to the club’s NSW Cup side on Monday, Luai replied: “If he’s in the right mindset, if his heart’s in the right spot and he deserves to wear the jersey, then by all means come and play with us.’’

Originally published as Wests Tigers heavyweights Api Koroisau, Jarome Luai and Benji Marshall address Lachlan Galvin drama