New Bulldogs signing Lachlan Galvin has moved to dismiss claims he has a fractured relationship with Wests Tigers co-captain Jarome Luai after months of speculation around the young superstar. Galvin officially made the switch the Bulldogs over the weekend, after plenty of speculation he would join Parramatta.
While he was not off contract until the end of 2026, the Wests Tigers board opted to grant Galvin an immediate release under a number of conditions. And after the Bulldogs met the transfer fee needed to bring Galvin over, the five-eight was unveiled as a Bulldogs player on Saturday.
Bulldogs general manager of football Phil Gould has copped plenty of criticism for how the Galvin signing has unfolded in the media, but Galvin has moved to quell any lingering dramas between his former club and him. Luai caused drama after team lists were named in round seven when Benji Marshall dropped Galvin following the announcement he won’t be at the club after his current contract.
Luai put up a social media post reading: ‘Team first’ after Galvin was dropped from the team. This was taken as a swipe at the Galvin situation, which prompted Luai to front the media at training that week.
Galvin and Luai’s relationship was scrutinised from that point onwards. Last week, veteran NRL reporter Rothfield claimed Luai and Galvin’s relationship wasn’t the best, which could impact his time at the Bulldogs. This was because Luai is still friends with a number of Bulldogs players including Stephen Crichton and Viliame Kikau.
And in an interview with Danny Weidler on Channel Nine, the 19-year-old was asked if he felt jealous of Luai walking into the Tigers at the start of the season and becoming the main playmaker. Although Galvin quickly moved to dismiss any claims they had a poor relationship.
“People like to think we don’t [get along], but we do,” he told Channel Nine. “Me and Jarome got on fine, we probably weren’t going over to each other’s houses and having sleepovers and that.
“People like to think that we never got on but behind the scenes, we were always talking and it never got to a point where we hated or never spoke to each other. I never walked into Concord once thinking stuff him, he’s come in here and taken all the reins. I never thought that once. People can assume that and like I said they can have their opinions.”
Lachlan Galvin shuts down claims around playing group
However, Galvin slapped down any claim he had trouble with the Wests Tigers playing group, or coach Marshall, during his time at the club. While there were accusations Galvin wanted to leave because of the coaching, the five-eighth was all praise for Marshall and the coaching staff. “Benji was great to me,” Galvin said.
“I’m so grateful to Benji for giving me my debut. It wasn’t coaching, it was more just developing. That was all on me, I just felt to improve myself that I wanted a change and that a change would get me out of my comfort zone.
“Money wasn’t really the main option. I know it’s obviously a lot and people are gonna see that and think it’s stupid. Money wasn’t really the main reason for me.” Galvin also clarified he hadn’t met Gould until the weekend when he joined the Bulldogs for a surprise training session.
Lachlan Galvin’s role at the Bulldogs
Galvin can line-up for the Bulldogs this weekend, but it remains to be seen how coach Cameron Ciraldo introduces him into the side. The Bulldogs are flying high, despite a number of injuries and suspensions, but could use Galvin’s creativity in attack.
Matt Burton currently partners Toby Sexton in the halves, but there are suggestions Burton could move to the centres or even to fullback to accomodate Galvin’s inclusion at No.6. The most likely long-term solution would be Galvin to slot into the No.7 role with Sexton yet to re-sign with the club.
Galvin will most likely be given a week to learn the Bulldogs system before playing at NRL level. But there is no doubt the 19-year-old will find himself in the halves very soon with Gould regarding Galvin as one of the best young stars he has ever seen in the game.
When asked where he thinks he’ll line-up, Galvin wasn’t fussed. “Whatever Ciro (Ciraldo) tells me, to be honest,” he said. “If he wants me to play on the wing, I’ll do whatever. Obviously I prefer playing in the halves. If that’s seven or six, I’m just going to put my best foot forward and work hard.”