Lachlan Galvin is set to make a switch to Canterbury after the Wests Tigers prodigy was sold the vision of joining the Bulldogs over Parramatta.
Days after meeting with both clubs, Galvin made the long-awaited call over his future this weekend in a decision that will have ramifications across the NRL.
The five-eighth could be released from the final 17 months of his Tigers deal as early as this week, with a six-figure transfer fee still needing to be negotiated between them and the Bulldogs.
Galvin’s move will put a full stop on the lengthy saga surrounding his future, which began when he requested a release from the Tigers before his debut last season.
The 19-year-old officially informed the joint-venture last month he would not re-sign beyond the end of 2027, before he was given permission to talk to rivals.
Parramatta had been favourites to secure his services, given he played juniors for the club in the Harold Matthews competition.
Galvin met with officials from the Bulldogs and Eels in the past week, but Parramatta had come to the realisation this weekend they were likely to miss out.
It’s believed the club did not want to get into a bidding war with the Bulldogs, who viewed Galvin as a crucial piece in their premiership push.
Where Galvin plays at Canterbury remains a point of interest.
Halfback Toby Sexton is off contract at the end of this year, and negotiations are yet to begin around a new deal.
Galvin remains untested as a controlling halfback, while Canterbury five-eighth Matt Burton has only played nine games in the No.7 jersey.
There is a suggestion Galvin could play as a lock or in the backline, but Canterbury would be unlikely to make significant changes given their start to 2025.
Playing together in the halves, Sexton and Burton have taken the Bulldogs to their best start to a season in a decade, their 9-2 record putting them on top of the ladder.
Bailey Hayward is also seen as a future star at Canterbury, having filled in everywhere from the back row to the halves this year.
Galvin’s decision means Parramatta must continue their search to replace Newcastle-bound Dylan Brown.
The Eels had pushed hard to sign the teenager, with Mitch Moses selling him the vision of leading the club within four or five years.
Galvin is managed my Mitch’s uncle, Isaac Moses.
There remain other options on the market, with clubs keeping a close eye on Melbourne’s Jonah Pezet if Jahrome Hughes recommits to the Storm for 2027 and beyond.
Meanwhile, Galvin’s eventual exit from the Tigers will end a sorry chapter for the club, given the Campbelltown junior represented one of their best young talents.
His final act could well be dropping a ball over the line late in last week’s loss to the Rabbitohs, effectively costing the Tigers the game.
Fellow teenager Latu Fainu is expected to be available to return from a hand injury against North Queensland next week, and will now have the chance to become Jarome Luai’s long-term halves partner.
https://thewest.com.au/sport/rugby-league/galvin-sold-on-belmore-vision-opts-to-join-bulldogs-c-18809025
