After weeks of speculation, the Bulldogs officially announced Galvin’s entry on a long-term contract to the end of 2028, after a tumultuous battle involving many teams, including Parramatta.
In a statement released at 7:30 p.m. Friday, the Dogs hailed Galvin as a “talented playmaker” with an impressive early career resume.
“The Club is thrilled to welcome Lachlan to the Bulldogs family,” the official statement said.
“The 19-year-old joins the Club on a deal that secures him until the end of 2028.”
Galvin moves to the club with only 31 NRL appearances, but an impressive 24 try assists. The towering 6’4 half has averaged over 120 running metres per game since making his debut for Wests Tigers in 2024.
Under current Bulldogs assistant coach Luke Vella, the talented five-eight captained the Australian Schoolboys squad and guided Westfield Sports High to a national championship.
A promotional film for Galvin’s presentation showed the teenage prodigy juggling a football in Bulldogs colors while listening to the music of Eminem’s The Real Slim Shady. The drama was symbolically ended by the young sensation signing a camera lens.
After the adolescent was seen at Belmore training in the blue and white, the announcement was controversial.
Tigers close chapter quietly as Marshall looks ahead
The Wests Tigers also confirmed Galvin’s departure in a brief statement Friday.
“Wests Tigers and Lachlan Galvin have mutually agreed to an immediate conclusion of his playing contract,” said Tigers football boss Shane Richardson.
Galvin added: “I am grateful to the Wests Tigers Board and Management for granting my early release. I wish the playing group success in the future.”
Tigers head coach Benji Marshall fronted media earlier in the day and acknowledged the long-running narrative had worn thin inside the club’s walls.
“Everyone’s probably a little bit sick of talking about it,” Marshall said. When asked if he was disappointed to lose his young playmaker, Marshall replied, “I don’t know if disappointment’s the word.”
Marshall took the opportunity to instill confidence in his squad’s direction. “We’re excited about some of the young players we’ve got coming through,” he said.
“We want to try and make a mark on the competition this year and with the squad we’ve got, we’re confident we can do that — but we’ve got to put it together this weekend.”
Eels left searching as Bulldogs continue to build
The Bulldog’s announcement also marks a major recruitment blow for the Parramatta Eels, who had put forward a lucrative three-year offer to lock down the talented prospect.
Eels coach Jason Ryles revealed Galvin personally phoned him to break the news, a gesture he appreciated despite the disappointment.
“For me, it’s pretty simple,” Ryles said. “There was a player available, it was Lachie, we were interested, we put our best foot forward, and he chose to go to another club.”
“That club happens to be coming first at the moment, so I completely understand it.”
The Eels, who are poised to lose five-eighth Dylan Brown to Newcastle at season’s end, are now examining other playmaker alternatives, including the Roosters’ Sandon Smith and Melbourne’s Jonah Pezet.
Galvin’s new contract at Canterbury is reportedly worth an average of $750,000 per season.
With the Bulldogs sitting atop the NRL standings and Galvin joining the team, coach Cameron Ciraldo has another weapon in his toolbox as the team looks to win its first premiership since 2004.
“Everyone expects us to make a knee-jerk reaction, which we definitely won’t,” Ryles continued