LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Phil Rothfield reports that Lachlan Galvin's potential switch to the Bulldogs could lead to an awkward reception from the playing group due to his past ties with Jarome Luai at the Wests Tigers.
Bulldogs general manager Phil Gould has confirmed that Galvin expressed a desire to join the club after being granted an immediate release by the Tigers, contingent on certain requirements being met.
Although no deal is finalized, Galvin's departure from the Tigers follows his exclusion from Benji Marshall's squad for an upcoming match against the Cowboys.
This move could enhance the Bulldogs' options in the halves, with Gould praising Galvin's young talent.
However, Rothfield raises concerns about Galvin's integration into the Bulldogs, considering Luai's influence among teammates.
Despite Luai denying any issues, his social media post-"Team first"-after Galvin was dropped was perceived as a jab, leading to an awkward media interaction.
Rothfield commented, "He is off that much with Jarome Luai...well Luai is particularly close to Stephen Crichton, Kikau and Matt Burton from their glory days at the Penrith Panthers." This strained relationship between Galvin and Luai raises questions about how well Galvin would fit in with Luai's circle at Canterbury.
Rothfield also cautioned that if Galvin's arrival correlates with a dip in the Bulldogs' performance, the club's leadership may face scrutiny for this mid-season shake-up.
"If Galvin comes into this football side and all of a sudden they hit a little bit of a form slump...a lot of questions are going to be asked about this mid-season disturbance," he stated.
Conversely, Brent Read noted that the Bulldogs would be a stronger team with Galvin in the lineup.
In summary, while Galvin's talent could benefit the Bulldogs, his existing relationship with Luai could create friction, and the team's leadership may need to navigate potential challenges surrounding his integration.