Well, the long running Lachlan Galvin saga appears to be finally over, and contrary to the wishes of many Parramatta fans, it appears the lure of succulent Chinese meals with Gus ‘Pinocchio’ Gould at Canterbury Leagues has proven irresistible to the young Western Suburbs Magpies superstar.
Based on media reports coming through on Sunday afternoon, it appears as though Lachlan will shortly be wearing the blue and white of Canterbury Bankstown, in a 3.5 year deal valued at approximately $25m less than the total value of the offer tabled by the Tigers.
The mystery and intrigue behind this deal was fascinating. As always, it played out in the media with the competing interests of the two major media entities which cover the game being apparent.
On one side, you have the Bulldogs supremo, Phil Gould, flat out denying that they were going to be involved in ‘the Lachlan Galvin business’. This is in spite of the fact that Gus has run the Bulldogs like a Supercoach team for the past 3 years, chopping and changing personnel at a rate never before seen in the game.
Gus denying that the Dogs planned to make a play at Lachlan Galvin
On the other side, you had the News Corp journos doing everything they could to expose Gus’s porky pies. Throw in a healthy dose of rugby league gossip (‘I go to the gym with a guy who is second cousins with one of the players ex-girlfriends, and they say he is definitely coming to Parra’) and you had a recipe for the perfect storm to keep the rugby league media cycle churning for weeks.
What became apparent though, is that the only people who really know the truth in the murky world of player agents, club GM’s and disenchanted players, are those directly involved. This is why it’s important to never do anything silly like invest proactively in a jersey with the player’s name on it, before they sign on the dotted line.
Anyone know who this goose is?
Although there was some initial disappointment to not be able to add a shiny new toy to play outside of Mitchell Moses, this was never a slam dunk decision to sign Galvin in my mind.
There was a very good argument that our greatest needs did not lie with replacing Dylan Brown at six and rather with bolstering other positions, namely with a strike edge back rower and another solid middle to support Junior. At this stage of his career, Mitchell Moses could arguably make me look world class at 5/8, and as such, are we better off spending less money there and investing elsewhere?
When speaking with other fans about the potential Galvin signing in the lead up to his decision, I had given my thoughts in this way:
“I could easily be persuaded either way as to what Parramatta should do regarding Galvin. It’s kind of like buying a house which you’re not 100% sold on. You could easily see yourself living in it, but there’s a very real concern that you get handed the keys and realise you’ve missed something that wasn’t picked up in the building inspection. It could be a termite riddled log or a room filled with asbestos. Either way, you could be in for some extra work to get it up to code”
The disappointment of missing out on Galvin was quickly tempered when I took a look at current and future first grade 5/8 options, currently at the club. Because I am an objective member of the Rugby League media first and foremost, and a fan second, I took a completely unbiased look at player stocks within the club and made a completely accurate list of all players who are currently better options than Lachlan Galvin to play 5/8 for Parramatta for the 2025 season and into the future:
- Joash Papalli
- ‘Footy’ Dean Hawkins
- Ronny Volkman
- Matty Hunter
- Josh Lynn
- Lorenzo Talataina
- Lincoln Fletcher
- Dylan Walker
- Mitchell Moses
- Junior Paulo
And that’s 10 players just off the top of my head! I am sure the list would be much longer with some more research. Matto may be more of a middle these days, but we’ve seen him play at six before. Bearing all that in mind, we are clearly far better off without Galvin.
With our junior halves so well stocked, the answer could be right under our noses
Shelley, Sixties and 40/20 have all done a better job than I ever could of breaking down the game from the weekend, but I’ll briefly give my perspective.
After a dreadful start to the year, the vibe around the club appears to be absolutely buzzing and there is immense cause for optimism. We have the youngest and least experienced roster in the competition, and yet the kids are developing faster than anyone would’ve thought possible. Ryles has absolutely nailed all his new signings, we look like a finals team with Lomax and Moses in the lineup and we have salary cap space to burn. We just demolished a traditional rival on the weekend without our rep players, in a result that gave off more than just a little taste of what it was like to watch the 2000 ‘Baby Eels’ in action (and we all know what that team turned into).
All in all, we have players who seem to be buying into our Coaches vision, and it doesn’t feel like a bad thing if we are not disrupting that.
Here is my prediction for how the next few years will turn out. Narrowly missing the semis in 2025, a 2026 finals berth and a 2027 premiership (with the major story for that year being Canterbury finding themselves embroiled in a salary cap scandal which unfortunately means Lachlan Galvin needs to play for Salford in the Super League to help the Dogs remain compliant).
Go you slippery Eels!
Rick
How many 2 point field goals has Galvin almost kicked? Answer – 1 less than Junior Paulo.
Great article, funny from start to finish. Looking forward to the pod tomorrow.
100% Mick!! Big June could revolutionise the way the game is played. Give me players who want to be here any day. I hope we absolutely put the Dogs to the sword on Kings Birthday weekend. Let Gus choke on a big loss to go with all the lies already in his mouth.
Great post Chris mate. If we flog dogs on kings bday weekend, Gus is so full of it like you said!!
And his abuse or “misuse” of power & influence both media and club land WILL come back to bite him.
Nothing ends will with Gus. He even got the now great Ivan Cleary sacked from the panthers once.
Ivan insisted Gus not be there for him to return, or something along that nature.
I hope we absolutely smash the bulldogs on kings bday weekend, the dogs fall apart after certain players are left feeling blindsided.
We must not forget gus stole our dummy half by selling him the dream of bulldogs club captaincy, the delicious Chinese, only to shaft him and now telling him he can leave mid season.
It’s hard to think of potential outcome here where it doesn’t get messy for the bulldogs or lying Gus at some point.
They should call him Gas (not Gus)
Gas (light) Guild.
Sorry meant to say.. hope we flog dogs on kings bday.
Mate, I think we are absolutely primed to pump the Laundogs.
We will be close to full strength with a point to prove and a message to send.
I can’t express how much I hate this club and its fans. The only thing better than an Eels win is a Bulldogs loss. A loss to Eels regardless of where we sit on the ladder puts me on a month long high.
Their day is coming, I honestly think Gould has bitten off more than he can chew. They need a halfback and they signed another 6 and most likely a future lock given Galvin’s size.
And I got a laugh out of Gould’s development diarrhea on 9. The only thing that grub of a club has developed in recent times is an blank cheque thanks to Laundy.
Joseph you said it better than anyone and all eels fans would agree with each word.
When the dogs lose everyone wins 🤣
I hope this circus from Gus derails his bulldogs and causes them to fall off a cliff
Because you know what?
If sexton & co’s form drops, Galvin doesn’t perform, or they just simply start losing, or flunk out of the finals?
You can bet Gus’s head will be on the chopping block… or internal pressure will build
Because the dogs are acting like the premiership is there’s already
The “just need the spine” crap is BS
IF their spine wasn’t good enough to complete for a title they would not be absolutely dominating this year
The dogs are risking their entire season over singing this Galvin kid who isn’t fast, and does not look like a #7
This risks their whole team becoming unstable
All we can hope is they get what they deserve, especially Gus, who’s constantly blind sided people, and lied to the NRL fans at every turn
I loath Gus the commentator in large part because he doesn’t impart his wisdom, just his grievances.
But lets face it, we’d be so much better if we had Gus the Administrator. Our Admin thought they had Galvin, just like they thought they had Wayne Bennett, just like they thought they had Reed and so on and so on.
He is calculated and ruthless and smart. Our GM of football is none fo those things. When it comes to negotiations with players considering the Eels or Dogs, O’Neil v Gould would be like watching the Storm take on a Ron Massey Cup team. We don’t stand a chance.
But entertaining article none the less Rick.
I really wanted Galvin and think he has the potential to be great however I can say now he’s not coming and the haze of his talent has made me think clearer I can see there are some major attitude red flags that potentially could have disrupted the culture that we have built.
It may be a blessing in disguise that we lost him as we can focus developing some of the excellent juniors half prospects we have who would have bought into the system and culture.
To think we can loose Blaize and Sanders and still have prospects like Lorenzo, Fletcher, Papalii, Lynn, Twidle, Hunter, Volkman. We are better placed then most to replace a 5/8
Absolutely nailed it Rick. Galvin and the Dogs deal has more holes in it than Macca’s forward defence. We’ve dodged a bullet, with home grown talent on the up and $$$ to spend.
Who in our pathway most likely to step in Brown’s absence?
There are a few names but the 3 I’d argue would be volkman, papalii and Talataina. Leaning towards the latter 2 given how engrained papalii is in the player group and how Talataina sounds like he plays just like brown with great defence and a great running game from what I’ve heard.
I watched Talataina play over the weekend, and he was excellent, as was Josh Lynn for Jersey flag.
Chris, that’s a decent list of future player suggestions. However I like the idea of giving Api Twidle a real shot. Bigger and faster than Galvin, and can play given his outing in the preseason against Knights at 5/8.
I’m possibly not the best judge and as I understand it, he hasn’t been offered a contract yet for next year, but he did an NRL pre season and played well in lower grades, and showed playing a uo at fullback in Cup this week he can handle playing up.
I also like the thought of Api getting a crack at being a 6. My only query is does he have a kicking game?
Sandon Smith please. Has speed and looks ready to go
Would I have liked Galvin to sign with the eels? Yes. Am I upset about him not coming? No. From the time Dylan Brown signed with the knights, my preference would’ve been to bolster the forward stocks with some big names, instead of going after a number 6. When Galvin became available, I thought ok there’s a like for like replacement. Let’s do it! The forward stocks can wait. It may well be a blessing in disguise if we can land one or 2 forwards now. I believe a lesser known 6 (or someone from within) can do a job next to a dominant 7 like Moses. It’s clear that over the last few weeks, the younger brigade are slowly getting there. Add some experienced forward depth…… we’ll be ok.
Fantastic mate, loved it.
I come across as spiteful at times on this forum when I’m actually not in the real world. I am especially spiteful in the rugby league world. I hope and pray to what ever God is listening that this completely bites Gould where it hurts most. I hope his lies completely derails the Dogs and wouldn’t be sending Galvin flowers if should do an ACL in his first appearance or flops in a big way. Sad but that’s how I feel.
We were played in the media, if there’s any justice, Gould will end his tenor at the Dogs like he did at Penrith.
Disappointing yes, devastated? Crap no. If our future was pending on a 20 year old with potential but hasn’t actually achieved anything other than standing out in a wooden spoon team then our club would be in serious trouble but we’re not. We are not looking for a savior, we have quality cattle that needs bolstering. You named 10 players that could fill our 6 void. The list is probably longer. Moses is our proven guy, we can move forward without a big headed rookie.
The one player I accidentally left out was our former 2x Dally M winner running around at 5/8 in Massey Cup.
And Api T who with a another offseason could be good to go.
Brown has showed us no loyalty so we should be auditioning some of our potential 5/8s even for 20mins off the bench. See how they go.
Will save us a lot of cash to buy the quality middle we need for next year.
Lol, stop it
Does 6 years resting away from the park offset the 6 years added to his age? The aging process in your 30’s may not diminish your body as quickly as in the ‘mature’ years.
(Some Interesting / entertaining / funny if true info to hear)… Some peopl online, social media and other sites have said Galvin is considering back flipping because of the leaks from bulldogs and the immediate impact of them having go sack multiple players it looks like, and the shit Storm it’s causing which will be blamed on him potentially.
It’s possibly all nothing. But Galvin is a kid and just came from an environment of bullying, the whole NRL world (especially fans) has just turned on Phil Guild as well.
Let’s see what happens.
I personally obviously still think Galvin goes to dogs. But don’t be suprised with anything with lachy Galvin. This is an extremely emotional kid who hasn’t officially signed anything as of yet. And just left a bullying environment. Just to step into another (now) potentially hostile environment?
At this point he deserves the dogs and doesn’t deserve to come to us for even considering the bulldogs.
Gus guild and the bulldogs are a cancer to Australian sports – fan base is 100% the worst fans of of any sports fans team probably in the world.
If Galvin goes there he deserves the betrayal that Gas light Guild will eventually deliver to him.
Gus is the biggest lying scum in the entire code, Galvin is a fool for signing under him if he fully follows though on this.
I’m glad we didn’t get him if he is that stupid after seeing what he’s doing to Mahoney, Tracey, and sexton.
Gus is canning 3 of his 5 best players to accommodate Galvin it looks like – this could potentially destroy bulldogs season.
Galvin going to be the blame from all the fans and maybe even create a divide inside the dogs roster.
Mahoney, Connor Tracy, sexton have massivelu helped take that shit club from the dirt to an elite team.
Gus just shit on them for a kid after lying he was interested in signing him…
I know it’s left field, but don’t be suprised if this is true and Galvin the emotional kid is having second thoughts.
Because this is looking like a disaster of a situation. Look at the impact DCE leaving had on manly.
The exact same thing could happen at the dogs if 3 of their core SPINE players are told they are leaving.
This guy is insane. Who (during an ultra successful year) tells your 3 spine players they aren’t wanted??
This entire situation seems like insanity to me. Then again Gus also fired Ivan Cleary from the panthers. 😂
So crazier things have happened.
Gus has essentially turned the bulldogs club into a real life super coach game. 😂
It’s mentioned here by Chammas that Galvins camps apparently unhappy for the leaking / circus that’s taken place with Gus.
NRL on 9:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKHZfsjJ9sZ/?igsh=MXE0OW56bmdqNHJ3aA==
Micheal still thinks he’s going to be a dog but it’s still not confirmed. what a circus 🎪 Gus has created. 😂
I’m not sure I would want him at this stage Muz. It would be like marrying someone who was still banging someone else until the night before the wedding. Hard to believe it would stop once you’d tied the knot.
I agree with you
Once he wanted to go to the dirty dogs
I immediately lost faith in him
If anything a backflip from here further solidifies the suspicions around his character
If he came after first choosing dogs it would honestly stink lol
What an absolute shitshow. The funniest thing is old Gus sitting back saying he has done nothing wrong. It’s not just tigers and Eels fans calling him out, 99% of fans across the board AND some bulldog fans have finally had enough of the absolute crap he goes on with and have called him out.
I thought Chammas went too easy on him to be honest, but I understand that the producers would have protected Gus.
Notwithstanding what happens moving forward, Gus has really taken a broadside in his reputation and his word means nothing.
As for Galvin, he better hope that he suddenly becomes Daly Messenger/Andrew Johns and Bob Fulton all wrapped up in one package because EVERY dropped ball, EVERY missed tackle he will be heavily scrunised.
Every loss that the Bulldogs have moving forward, will rightly or wrongly be attributed to his arrival and the upheaval in the playing roster.
Their fans honestly think they are going to win the premiership and they just might, but if they don’t, there is only one player they are going to blame.
On 360 last night there was a quick exchange between Anasta and Tallis where they were basically wondering if Galvin really deserved the plaudits that Gus has placed on him.
This alignes with some of the conversations I’ve personally has with a couple of my mates.
I know nothing about football but I spoke to a recently retired international and he said that Galvin was all smoke and mirrors.
He said that he’s a punk and that he’s done nothing and is too mentally frail and he wouldn’t have him anywhere near his club.
(His club isnt the Eels).
He is adamant that the Eels have dodged a major bullet.
Should we grab him if there is a backflip…. No.
If he is so mentally fragile to backflip like that then it’s a sure sign there is trouble ahead.
Spark his immaturity and seemingly selfish traits could be a problem
He is also not fast even at 19 so he will be dead slow by 25-30 compared to other halves
He might end up a lock forward in 5 years
I wanted him but we can’t see ignore the red flags around this kid
He was walking around the tigers sheds last year telling team mates
“I can’t wait to get out of this joint” and players leaked this to Buz and co
Where there is smoke there is fire
I was personally excited on him but there is undoubtedly risks involved with this kid
A lot of former players don’t rate Galvin as highly as Gus
Gus is probably pissing in his pocket like a guy who steals a man’s woman by telling them “you deserve better” to steal them
He was essentially telling Gavin he is the best young player ever and indirectly that makes Galvin think he deserves more and should leave the tigers
This is as much Gus’s fault as Galvins immaturity is in my view
The kids been fed Kool-Aid and Gus tells a player ANYTHING to sign them, you can see on TV his lies
Imagine the lies and BS he tells players off screen?
Mahoney was apparently told he would be captain, will play origin, and lead the dogs for a long time
He lost captaincy and Gus was shopping him off at the end of last season – then denied the rumours
He’s a lying 🤥 con artist – and Galvins falling into his trap like the other naive players & coaches who went there and got shafted
Galvin is also not a 7 and I cannot see it working at dogs if they throw him there
I think it’s obvious you have never run a business. Gould is a savvy operator who twists the truth for the betterment of his company. Common practice in the business world. Galvin is the fella who didn’t sign the Parra contract. Our management are kids compared to Gould.
He might be more of a fullback then 6 but God I’d love to see Joash Papalii get his hands on that 6 jersey next year. He’s got great ball playing and foot work but just looking at his energy and how ingrained he already is with this playing group is great.
It’s ironic given the Galvin being a parra fan growing up in the news and stuff last year but the interview where he’s talking about him being blessed to debut for the club he went for as a kid is great to listen too.
I wouldn’t be crazy concerned with his defense either if he was training at hooker through the week to cover 9 and tackle in the middle I doubt I’d worry too much about him on an edge.
Moses as the main guy with Iongi and Papalii blitzing and switching on the outside could be some dynamic ‘champagne’ rugby league that we could be blessed to watch for years to come.
Either way I trust ryles to make the right decision and love the culture of camaraderie and family he’s creating at the club and I think that’s why he kept Junior Paulo coming into this year who has led from the front as a leader for this young group.
I love joash but he looked lost at 6 in nsw cup and he isn’t good defensively in the front line like a nrl 6
Volkman is better there but also struggles up in the front line defensively at nrl level
I think either way unless we make a big signing for the 6 he’ll get a chance to train during the preseason at 6 compared to last preseason he only played fullback.
We’ll see how it plays out but if ryles can make Russell into a defensive centre I’m sure he can get Joash to work aswell, either way hope we look inwards because we got a lot of talent there that can all elevate themselves too that 6 jersey.
The 11th better option within the club is definitely the dipstick with Eels Galvin jersey, Ricko!
Twiddle I like . Big body, skills and he’s already at our club. I think the premature ejaculator in the 6 jersey might be Sixties. He was pretty convinced we had Galvin locked up.
Just like Brown staying at the Eels !
Mate I’m the last person to defend Sixties as we definately don’t get on.
He doesn’t know me but surprisingly I have actually met him and still couldnt stand him 😂
It’s a bit like oil and water to be sure BUT
You probably wouldn’t meet a more committed Parra man.
He was probably pretty hurt that Brown flipped as he stuck his neck out there.
Everything we heard about Galvin was that he was going to sign at the Eels.
It says more about the fragile nature and immaturity of Galvin than anything Sixties has said.
Galvin is an absolute mess.
spark I think a lot of ppl had Galvin coming to us because even his manager apparently wanted him to join his cousin Mitch with us
What us parra fans must all learn though is we should not be bullish on our ability to sign or retain quality players if there’s competition for the signing
We typically lose the battle or pay overs
When was the last time we signed a quality player when there was competition for the signature?
All the best signings we’ve had or experienced players in recent years came by sheer luck, mid year signings, etc
Once gus was interested our chances significantly lowered, he (unlike us) GETS his premium signings, and does not miss, even when there is competition for the players signature
Is that because we don’t have the back handed deals other clubs do?
I know sandon smith is now being mentioned.. but watch what happens if there’s competition for his signing
We won’t get it or we will have to pay significant overs. I’m yet to see proof of us being able to sign elite players externally in recent years unless they fall into our lap
Look at the 3 best signings of Snr players in recent years who are making the biggest impact:
Ado car, Lomax, Walker. All 3 came via perfect timing and some sheer luck as there was no competition for the signature
So unless we get lucky on signing a 6 I’ll be very suprised if we are able to sign a premium #6 that hits the open market
We just don’t seem to be able to sign top tier experienced talent like the bulldogs, roosters, etc can
Some blame our HOF, I personally think it’s because we don’t offer shady back handed deals like other clubs do
Remember where bulldogs were offering Tino shares in a pub?? 😂
Spark, don’t get to carried away. I’m only having a light hearted dig at Sixties. It’s called humour. Any way F*** Galvin we are covered with who we already have.
No it’s all good mate 😂
Hard to know when it’s just written. Anyway as I said, I’m the very last person to defend him !
Champion he is !
I was still convinced on Saturday arvo. The mail remained strong. It was impeccable. Apparently he flipped at lunch time. The Brown and Galvin thing has taught me that the apparently definite can change at the last minute.
Sixties, always remember, the Titanic was unsinkable.
I’m surprised there’s so little chat about Apa too, he’d be my pick to trial.
I tend to agree with you that playing alongside Moses, we have the luxury of adding a young 5/8 to the team and we probably don’t lose out on much. I’m wondering if Ryles was a bit lukewarm on the Galvin thing, knowing that there are other options. In the end, we want Moses leading the team and the 5/8 supporting him. That tells me that we don’t want a dominant player, but one who can learn the ropes and eventually take over as the dominant half once Moses retires.
The key now is to insert some of these players into the NRL squad later in the season to see how they go. I’m sure Ryles is onto that.