‘Largest contract offer for a junior’: Wests Tigers confirm Lachlan Galvin won’t be at the club in 2027 after young gun rejects extension

The Wests Tigers’ strong start to the season has suffered a monumental setback with emerging star Lachlan Galvin to leave the club at the end of the 2026 season after he knocked back a huge contract extension to stay. The Tigers had been trying to tie down the gifted five-eighth on a new deal, but he and his management have knocked back that offer and have no plans on reviewing the terms of the deal. Galvin is contracted until the end of 2026, and the club has strongly denied any suggestions he’ll be released early. The 19-year-old will now field monster offers in November from other clubs, with the Bulldogs, Roosters and Eels some of the obvious landing spots. It’s a big blow for the Tigers who are sitting in the top eight and playing some solid footy under Benji Marshall who has instilled a newfound defensive resolve this season. Galvin was a big plan going forward, with the club also having to deal with Jarome Luai’s contract clause which allows him to speak with other clubs on November 1 if he choose to not take up his option. The Tigers have young gun Latu Fainu in the system, but Galvin was someone they could have built their squad around for more than a decade, with the five-eighth destined for higher honours. “We would like to announce that Lachlan Galvin will not be with the club beyond the 2026 season,” a club statement read. “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. “It should be noted that the club has NO intention of releasing Lachlan from his contract, and he has not requested this. “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.”