LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Lachie Galvin's future with the Wests Tigers is in question, as reports suggest the club may grant him an early release from his contract.
Galvin, 19, previously announced he wouldn't remain with the Tigers beyond his contract, which runs until the end of the 2026 season.
Though the Tigers stated he would finish his contract, recent developments indicate changing dynamics between the player and the club.
Management discussions are reportedly ongoing to achieve an early exit before the June 30 trade deadline, with the Tigers needing to negotiate a transfer fee or a player exchange in order to release Galvin to another team.
The Bulldogs and Eels are the early frontrunners for his signature; the Bulldogs have reportedly cleared salary cap space and have a roster spot available.
Galvin's ties to the Bulldogs intensified following a recent match against Souths, where he celebrated a try-later ruled no try-by pointing to a tattoo on his wrist that reads "I.N.F.E," which stands for "It's not for everyone." This phrase is a nod to his former coach at Westfield Sports High School, Luke Vella, who is now an assistant under Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo.
Speculation surrounding Galvin's potential transition to the Bulldogs heightened when Phil Gould, the club's GM of football, provided ambiguous remarks about the future of off-contract player Toby Sexton.
At a press conference before the Bulldogs' round 12 game against the Dolphins, Ciraldo was asked about the club's pursuit of Galvin.
He acknowledged that the Galvin situation is not something they had "had time to comprehend or talk about" yet, maintaining an air of uncertainty while avoiding outright dismissal about the possibility of signing him.
The developments suggest that fans and analysts will continue to monitor the situation closely as the June deadline approaches and negotiations progress.