Former Brisbane Broncos coach Kevin Walters has declared that if he was Lachlan Galvin he would be trying to force his way out of the Wests Tigers “now”.
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Galvin was dumped to NSW Cup earlier in the week, with the teenage sensation’s career at the Tigers seemingly over after announcing he would leave the club at the end of 2026.
While there is still a chance that Galvin can earn the trust of his teammates again and be recalled by Benji Marshall, there is every chance he has played his last NRL game for the club.
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In fact, there has even been talk of a potential three-way player swap that could send Galvin to the Eels and Dylan Brown to Newcastle a year early.
Regardless of whether that happens, Walters said Galvin should be looking to get away from the club immediately amid claims Tigers players have bullied the young playmaker.
“It’s bullying, 100 per cent,” Walters said on his podcast.
“How would you feel if you were Benji Marshall and the Wests Tigers management? They would be absolutely filthy.
“They were just starting to gain respect and now they’ve been pulled apart by this.
“I don’t think he can stay. If I was Lachie Galvin, I would be saying, ‘Mate, get me out of here now’ because these blokes don’t want me here.”
Marshall denied the bullying claims in a media opportunity on Thursday, while Jarome Luai explained his ‘team first’ post was a show of support for his coach as opposed to a criticism of Galvin.
Benji hits back at Galvin backlash | 08:30
While Walters was squarely in Galvin’s corner when it came to the treatment of the 19-year-old, he dismissed suggestions Marshall could be limiting the youngster’s development.
“I reckon that is absolute bull****,” Walters said.
Walters himself was at the centre of a similar drama in 2023 when Selwyn Cobbo said he was a “good person” but “not the best coach” and the former Broncos coach admitted he was “really annoyed” by those comments.
“Really annoyed, and I told Selwyn. He apologised profusely,” Walters added.
With that in mind, Walters was not having any of the talk that Marshall is holding Galvin back.
“Benji knows the game backwards, as a five-eighth and halfback, as a leader, as being the best player — being the star player,” Walters said.
“Go back and watch him as a 17-year-old kid playing NRL.
“… I wouldn’t have dropped him, no, because Benji’s job is on the line.
“If they lose on the weekend, the players won’t be under pressure. It’ll be Benji and the manager. If they keep losing, you know who’ll lose his job? Benji Marshall.
“He is in a tough position.”
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