Lachlan Galvin spills on Phil Gould saga as he reveals true motives for leaving Wests Tigers

Lachlan Galvin has set the record straight about his interactions with Phil Gould as he spilt the beans on his move to the Bulldogs.

Lachlan Galvin has denied meeting Bulldogs supremo Phil Gould before agreeing to join the club, as he opened up about the true motives behind his move to Belmore.

The 19-year-old’s contract saga has dominated the rugby league news cycle for several weeks, and it all came to a head when he signed with the Bulldogs on around $750,000 a season, after turning down a monster $6 million contract extension offer from the Tigers.

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The Bulldogs’ general manager of football Gould had batted his eyelids at Galvin for months, yet any time his club’s interest was brought up he in no uncertain terms shut down any talks of bringing the teenager to the club.

So after he was confirmed as the Bulldogs’ latest signing, on 100% Footy last week, Gould was grilled by reporter Michael Chammas, with the general manager insisting it was completed without his input and he in fact had never even met the teen phenom.

“I haven’t met Lachlan Galvin. What I do know is there is not another CEO, not another general manager or recruitment manager that has to sit on a panel and answer these questions,” a frustrated Gould said.

Since then many have speculated if Gould was telling the truth, due to the fact he seemingly deliberately misled the public about the club’s interest in the young playmaker.

But Galvin has now put the record straight on Gould’s role.

“I never met Phil Gould (during the contract talks). I had a talk with (coach) Cameron Ciraldo, Liam Ayoub (Bulldogs recruitment officer), Luke Vella (Bulldogs assistant coach), myself, Adam (Brahme), (manager) Isaac (Moses) and my dad (James),” Galvin told 100% Footy on Monday night.

Lachlan Galvin insists he never met Phil Gould before agreeing to join the Bulldogs. Image: Nine/Getty

“They were the only people in the room that we spoke to. I actually met Phil at training (last Saturday), that was honestly for the first time.

“He came up to me and it was good to meet him. I was pretty nervous, to be honest. He said he was excited for me to be at the club.

“He asked how I was going after a big couple of months. He showed me around the club a bit and there was pretty much no footy talk. It was more about how I was and my family.’’

Lachlan Galvin reveals why he chose the Bulldogs

Galvin also revealed that a main factor in his decision to join the Bulldogs was a belief Ciraldo could get the best out of him.

The teenager says he doesn’t care which position Ciraldo wants to play him and is prepared to prove himself in reserve grade or off the bench before taking a spot in the starting side.

“I’ve already spoken to Ciro about that, we’ve had long talks about reserve grade and coming off the bench,” he said.

“I’m all for it, it’s wherever is best for the team.”

Galvin also used the opportunity to shut down suggestions his agent Moses was behind his decision to leave the Tigers.

Lachlan Galvin revealed why he joined the Bulldogs. Photo: Canterbury Bulldogs

Lachlan Galvin is expected to make his Bulldogs debut this weekend.

Galvin’s management, led by Moses, reportedly had no interest in listening to the Tigers’ offer for their client and informed the club that he had no faith in Marshall’s coaching ability, believing he didn’t have the tools to develop Galvin into a star of the game.

However, Galvin said Moses didn’t pressure him in any way and the decision to leave was solely his, with Moses doing nothing more than executing his wishes.

“This whole thing was my decision,” Galvin insisted.

“I told Isaac what I wanted and he said ‘yes’ and that’s basically it. I’ve run this thing, I’ve backed myself. I’m a pretty confident kid in that way, I’ve chosen what I wanted.

“Obviously we’ve got all this backlash from it and I’ll take that on the chin. I can say wholeheartedly this was all driven by me.”

Galvin is expected to make his Canterbury debut against the team he snubbed, the Eels, in Monday’s King’s Birthday clash.

Originally published as Lachlan Galvin spills on Phil Gould saga as he reveals true motives for leaving Wests Tigers