Wests Tigers NRL club lashes out in anger after footy’s most sought-after star Lachlan Galvin makes bombshell call

• Boom youngster Lachlan Galvin is being chased by rival teams 
• The 19-year-old has helped lift Tigers off bottom of the ladder 

By SHAYNE BUGDEN FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Wests Tigers have released an angry statement after star teenager Lachlan Galvin knocked back the biggest offer the club has ever made to a junior.

The team ruled out any possibility of the 19-year-old being released from his contract after the stunning news broke on Monday morning.

Despite being offered a staggering deal reportedly worth $1million a year, Galvin has decided to become a free agent from November 1, when he will be allowed to negotiate with rival clubs.

‘We would like to announce that Lachlan Galvin will not be with the club beyond the 2026 season,’ the Tigers said in the statement.

‘Despite the club having the largest contract offer for a junior in the history of the club on the table, Lachlan and his management have decided his future lies elsewhere and were not willing to review the offer.

‘It should be noted that the club has NO intention of releasing Lachlan from his contract, and he has not requested this.

Lachlan Galvin (pictured) has been regarded as one of the game’s brightest young stars since he debuted with the Tigers in 2024, but now he’s on his way out of the club

The 19-year-old has knocked back a rich deal reportedly worth $1million a season over five years – and the Tigers are furious

A Manly insider has told Daily Mail Australia that the Sea Eagles have earmarked Galvin to bolster their halves after they lost Daly Cherry-Evans’s services

‘Obviously, there will be a lot of speculation around this release, but we will make no further comment.

‘The club is focused on winning as many games as possible during Lachlan’s tenure and beyond. 

‘The club is disappointed, but we move on.’

Tigers staff and fans had been hoping the salary cap dispensation they got from the NRL as a result of the medical retirement of star Justin Olam would see them raise their offer high enough to keep the talented five-eighth.

Galvin’s camp had agitated for an early exit from the club during a stellar 2024 rookie season before being talked down as the Tigers finished with the wooden spoon.

The club has not been contacted about a release on this occasion.

The news looms as a crushing blow for a Tigers side finally appearing to find its feet after three consecutive seasons finishing on the bottom of the ladder.

After years struggling for direction from their halves, the Tigers have forged an impressive 3-3 start to the year thanks in no small part to Galvin’s chemistry with new halfback Jarome Luai.

Parramatta are expected to be interested in the teen sensation given they will lose five-eighth Dylan Brown to Newcastle for 2026.

Manly, Canberra and Penrith are among NRL clubs facing uncertainty around the long-term future of their halves combinations.

Last month, a Manly insider told Daily Mail Australia that Galvin has been earmarked to bolster their halves after the loss of Daly Cherry-Evans. 

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Wests Tigers NRL club lashes out in anger after footy’s most sought-after star Lachlan Galvin makes bombshell call

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