Superstar five-eighth Lachie Galvin has set the stage for an almighty NRL tug-of-war by knocking back Wests Tigers’ contract offer and setting his sights on finding a new club for 2027.

The Tigers announced on Monday the 19-year-old, among the top talents of his generation, would not be at the joint venture after his contract expired at the end of the 2026 season.

Campbelltown product Galvin rejected what the club called “the largest offer for a junior in the history of the club” – reportedly worth around $5 million across five seasons – and will be free to negotiate with rival clubs from November 1.

The Tigers will not entertain an early release for Galvin, whose future had already been subject to speculation before a ball was kicked in 2025.

Galvin’s camp unsuccessfully agitated for an early exit from the club during a stellar 2024 rookie season but have not made the same request this time.

It means Galvin will not be up for grabs as the NRL undergoes a halves merry-go-round for 2026.

Parramatta and Manly are both hunting an elite playmaker for next season given the impending departures of Dylan Brown and Daly Cherry-Evans but would need to wait another year to have Galvin on their books.

“We would like to announce that Lachlan Galvin will not be with the club beyond the 2026 season,” the Tigers said in a statement.

“Despite the club having the largest contract offer for a junior in the history of the club on the table, Lachlan and his management have decided his future lies elsewhere and were not willing to review the offer.

“Obviously, there will be a lot of speculation around this release, but we will make no further comment.

“The club is focused on winning as many games as possible during Lachlan’s tenure and beyond. The club is disappointed, but we move on.”

The news looms as a crushing blow for a Tigers side finally appearing to find its feet after three consecutive seasons finishing on the bottom of the ladder.

After years struggling for direction from their halves, the Tigers have forged an impressive 3-3 start to the year thanks in no small part to Galvin’s chemistry with new halfback Jarome Luai.

There is set to be significant rival interest in Galvin, who would likely have won the Dally M Rookie of the Year award in 2024 but for a two-game suspension.

Parramatta are expected to be keen on the teen sensation.

Galvin played junior football for the Eels before being cut and landing at the Tigers to help feeder club Wests win the Harold Matthews Cup in 2022.

He is also managed by Isaac Moses, who also handles Eels half Mitch Moses.

But for Parramatta, making a play for Galvin would mean finding a stop-gap to play next to halfback Moses in 2026.

Galvin’s manager also has strong ties to the Sea Eagles, counting coach Anthony Seibold, five-eighth Luke Brooks and winger Tommy Talau among his clients there.

Manly are currently in the hunt for a playmaker to replace Cherry-Evans and have been linked with Canberra veteran Jamal Fogarty.

Canterbury general manager of football and broadcast pundit Phil Gould has previously spoken highly of Galvin, whom he last year rated as the best teenage talent he had ever seen.

The Bulldogs recently ruled out making a play for Cherry-Evans for 2026 on the grounds they backed their current first-choice playmakers Matt Burton and Toby Sexton.

But a 19-year-old with a bright future ahead could be a different proposition.

Bulldogs prop Max King laughed off speculation Galvin could join the Bulldogs from 2027 when quizzed on Monday.

“It’s out of my jurisdiction to be making those calls, otherwise I’d just be signing myself up for a million bucks,” he joked.

“Our depth has been a massive part of us and I just love where we’re going as a club.”

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Written by: Jasper Bruce © AAP 2025

Coach Craig Bellamy is expecting Penrith to be back to their bench-mark best in Thursday’s grand-final rematch, saying they will bring a winning attitude to Melbourne.

Melbourne have been triumphant in eight of the last nine against the Panthers at AAMI Park but would happily trade that record for a victory in last year’s title decider, which they lost 14-6.

While Penrith coach Ivan Cleary said the Storm would be motivated by the grand-final result, Bellamy said on Wednesday it was “just another game”.

Melbourne have had a protracted preparation for the highly anticipated clash due to their second-round bye as the Panthers had a shock loss to the undermanned Sydney Roosters.

Bellamy isn’t expecting Penrith to again be below par.

“Obviously it wasn’t ideal for Penrith but you know they’ve been in the last five grand finals and they know how to win,” he said.

“We know they’ll turn up here tomorrow night with that sort of attitude.

“Whether they play bad – you’ve got to give the Roosters a bit of credit … but Panthers know how to win, and they’re probably stiffen up after last week.

“They know what they’re good at and they stick to that, so we know they’ll come with that sort of mentality tomorrow night, especially after last week.”

Winger Will Warbrick will miss the match due to lingering concussion symptoms with his place taken by Grant Anderson, while Bellamy was coy about the role Nelson Asofa-Solomona would play.

“He’s available, he hasn’t played much footy this year because of the suspension, but, yeah, we’ll just see what happens today and then and then go from there,” the coach said.

He later included him on the bench, where he’s certain to be greeted by a large roar from the home crowd when he gets his chance.

The giant prop’s presence was badly missed in the grand final due to a five-game suspension and he almost sat out this clash before escaping with a warning after a Queensland Cup charge.

Apart from Warbrick the Storm are set to be at full strength while the Panthers have lost five players from their starting grand final line-up including star playmaker Jarome Luai, who is now in Wests Tigers colours.

With 13 games under his belt, 21-year-old Jack Cole is now partnering Nathan Cleary in the halves.

“I think young Cole’s probably still fitting in there but he’s obviously a very talented player too and he’s just going to get better each and every week,” said Bellamy.

“It takes a while for a half to to fit into a new team, but he’s obviously got a whole heap of ability or they wouldn’t put him in there.”

Penrith’s Test fullback Dylan Edwards will also miss with a groin strain with the visitors suffering a late blow with his replacement Daine Laurie also ruled out with an undisclosed injury on Wednesday.

Thomas Jenkins has now been named to play at the back.

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By: Melissa Woods © AAP 2025