The departure of young star Lachlan Galvin from the Wests Tigers has sparked a wave of anger and disappointment among fans since it happened. But this week, club legend Benny Elias has lifted the lid on the complex dynamics behind the teenager’s turbulent exit.
Galvin’s decision to leave the Tigers midway through the season caused backlash and frustration among some of his former teammates, who took to social media to express their disappointment.
Tensions escalated further when the senior playing group staged an intervention, reportedly demanding that coach Benji Marshall demote the promising young Galvin.
The 20-year-old was subsequently dropped to reserve grade for a week before being recalled, only to be ultimately released and join the Canterbury Bulldogs.
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While fans and critics have lambasted the teenager and his agent, Isaac Moses, for seemingly turning their backs on the club that welcomed him, Wests Tigers legend Benny Elias offers a different perspective.
Speaking on veteran NRL journalist Paul Kent’s podcast, the Tigers great revealed that the arrival of marquee signing Jarome Luai as a key factor in Galvin’s exit.
“You got to ask the reason why (Galvin wanted to leave),” Elias stated on Kenty Blitz.
“He was not happy at the club. A lot of that starts and finishes at the top (with Benji Marshall).
“The year before Luai came to our club, Galvin was the superstar. He was nurtured, looked after, loved and put on a pedestal.
“He was our future and all of a sudden, a big personality comes to the club and changes everything … unfortunately, there was some drama caused by the superstar coming and all of a sudden, Galvin felt like he was second, third or fourth choice after he was up on this pedestal.”
While Paul Kent claimed that Jarome Luai preferred training with Latu Fainu over Lachlan Galvin, club legend Benny Elias stopped short of accusing Luai of internal favouritism.
Instead, he pointed the finger at coach Benji Marshall, suggesting that Marshall’s decision to hand Luai the keys to the team shifted the focus away from Galvin and left the young playmaker feeling undervalued.
“When your boss (Benji Marshall) makes you the focal point, you then expect nothing else,” he said.
“The coach made him No. 1 before Luai came to the club, and in the end, I truly believe that Galvin was basically pushed out of the club.
“It all started and finished at the top (with Benji Marshall’s decision to bring Luai to the club).”