The Bulldogs have withdrawn from the race to sign Lachlan Galvin, leaving Parramatta as the firm frontrunners to lure the 19-year-old half to the Eels as Dylan Brown’s replacement.
The news comes as another two Wests Tigers players have raised concerns about their alleged mistreatment at the club with the Rugby League Players Association.
Canterbury general manager
Phil Gould has been glowing in his praise of Galvin during the past 12 months and it was widely anticipated the Bulldogs would make a significant play for the rising star.
After watching the Galvin saga unfold at the Tigers, the Bulldogs had internal discussions in recent days to decide whether they would enter the market whenever the teenager became a free agent.
Gould, however, has revealed that the Bulldogs have decided against any such bid.
“We are not involved in the Lachlan Galvin discussion and we won’t be involved in the Lachlan Galvin discussion,” Gould told this masthead. “We wish him all the best.”
Gould remains a big believer in Galvin’s ability, but given the Bulldogs’ recent form as they have roared to the top of the table after an unbeaten start to the year, the club is not in a position to make a move on the want-away Tigers playmaker.
With Wests Tigers already facing a legal fight with Galvin over allegations of bullying, the Herald can reveal that fellow top 30 players Justin Matamua and Brandon Tumeth have both raised grievances with the RLPA about unfair treatment by the club.
On the day that Galvin ran out for Western Suburbs in NSW Cup, it emerged the RLPA has launched an investigation into the Tigers’ treatment of young forwards Matamua and Tumeth – who played together in the NSW under-19 side in 2022.
Matamua, managed by George Ghazal, made his debut for the Tigers as an 18-year-old in 2022, but has been playing for Ryde-Eastwood Hawks in Ron Massey Cup (the tier below reserve grade).
Tumeth, once named the NSW under-16 player of the year, has experienced an even steeper decline, dropped to a grade below Matamua (Sydney Shield) for Ryde-Eastwood. Tumeth is managed by Isaac Moses, who also represents Galvin.
Moses also represents John Bateman and David Klemmer, who both recently left the Tigers.
Sources with knowledge of the situation talking on the condition of anonymity due to confidentiality told the Herald the RLPA is set to ask the Tigers for a ‘please explain’ in the coming days.
The RLPA and Wests Tigers declined to comment.
It is unusual for any club to have two top 30 players in the third- or fourth-tier competitions.
The RLPA has been in regular discussions with the Tigers this season via their involvement in matters relating to Klemmer, Bateman, Jacob Miller, Solomona Faataape, Galvin, Tumeth and Matamua
