@tigersteve And there it is … yep it’s all about coaching getting the best out of individuals and as a unit . Interesting times ahead , the person with the most pressure is Benji it’s now or never no second bites from here on .On paper this is a pretty handy bunch of players ..
Lachlan Galvin won't need to look far for inspiration to rally Wests Tigers up the ladder after three consecutive wooden spoons - just to his right arm.
The highly-prized five-eighth will enter his second NRL season with two fresh tattoos that each allude to a different corner of his footballing journey.
The words "make it happen" now stretch across the 19-year-old's right bicep, referencing a mantra shared with close mates and aspiring NRL players Sosefo Finau and Jeremiah Leatigaga.
Finau is in the junior system at Canterbury, with Leatigaga on the books at the Tigers through the Western Suburbs Magpies.
Both played alongside Galvin as school kids at Westfield Sports High, Finau in the 2023 National Schoolboy Cup triumph over rugby league nursery Palm Beach Currumbin.
"We've known each other since we were 13 or 14 and we've always had this group chat named 'Make It Happen'," Galvin told AAP.
"I've made my debut in the NRL and them in the future. I think they can make their NRL debuts in the future. We've just always said that you've always got to make it happen."
Galvin's second tattoo on his forearm reads "I.N.F.E" - short for "It's not for everyone", a favourite saying of his coach at Westfield Sports, Luke Vella.
"You get into the NRL now and it's really not (for everyone). You've got to work hard, it's so much dedication. There's so much you've got to sacrifice," Galvin said.
Vella remains a steady presence in Galvin's life and will catch up with the Tigers five-eighth for lunch every few weeks.
His own playing career at the Bulldogs was cut short by a horrific nerve injury suffered while making a tackle as a 20-year-old, but Vella has since progressed through the club's coaching ranks.
He joined Cameron Ciraldo's NRL staff ahead of the club's resurgent 2024 season.
"He's probably in the top three reasons I'm playing in the NRL," Galvin said.
"What he's done for my footy and how much he helped me and how much he guided me through school and that. He was massive for me.
"I thought I'd get them (the tattoos) on me and remind me of the people that have helped me and my two best mates."
https://www.yasstribune.com.au/story/8869652/wests-tigers-improvement-written-in-the-stars-arm/
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Well that would be the fluffiest fluff piece I've ever fluffing read 😂
@tigersteve it’s actually concerning for me. Gould has got Vella in the Bulldogs coaching set up to assist with enticing Galvin over as soon as he can.
@wiz The only way that Galvin stays at Wests Tigers beyond his contract is if WT signs a Moses client as our next coach.
Isaac Moses moves his players to those clubs where he has another of his clients as the coach. Here are two recent examples:
- Bateman to Cowboys
- Tommy Talau / Luke Brooks to Manly
If Wests Tigers want to keep Galvin then they have 3 options
- induce Benji to join up with Isaac Moses (somewhat risky but Benji has changed manager many times before)
- sack Benji and sign a Moses client as our next coach (e.g Todd Payten)
- sign a recruitment manager with links to Moses. (e.g Roosters have appointed Clint Zammit as their Recruitment Manager. He was a Moses employee before he was recruitment manager at the Cowboys and the Knights)
The Bulldogs do not have many players from Moses camp so its unlikely Moses would move Galvin there.
@mickb I would be OK (not happy, but OK) if Galvin left to avoid having Moses involved with the club in any way. Of course Latu performing consistently well would be a prerequisite of me being “OK” with Galvin leaving.
@wiz The only way that Galvin stays at Wests Tigers beyond his contract is if WT signs a Moses client as our next coach.
Isaac Moses moves his players to those clubs where he has another of his clients as the coach. Here are two recent examples:
- Bateman to Cowboys
- Tommy Talau / Luke Brooks to Manly
If Wests Tigers want to keep Galvin then they have 3 options
- induce Benji to join up with Isaac Moses (somewhat risky but Benji has changed manager many times before)
- sack Benji and sign a Moses client as our next coach (e.g Todd Payten)
- sign a recruitment manager with links to Moses. (e.g Roosters have appointed Clint Zammit as their Recruitment Manager. He was a Moses employee before he was recruitment manager at the Cowboys and the Knights)
The Bulldogs do not have many players from Moses camp so its unlikely Moses would move Galvin there.
No way would I be doing that.
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
@mickb I would be OK (not happy, but OK) if Galvin left to avoid having Moses involved with the club in any way. Of course Latu performing consistently well would be a prerequisite of me being “OK” with Galvin leaving.
A good point you make. In evaluating whether we need to retain Galvin, its a good idea to look at who the other available options are out there.
It's too early to tell what Latu might achieve in the NRL but I hope he gets some game time this year so we can find out!
The discussion might all be moot soon 🤫😉
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IMO the club has to be wary in regards to Galvin ,I believe within two seasons he will be playing in the second row or at lock! So what does the club do in this situation pay him the big bucks that a half commands then when the positional change happens your paying a forward that huge contract price .I am not that concerned as any clubs interested would be looking at him playing in the forwards in future seasons it’s not if he plays in the forwards it’s when. I am more concerned about keeping Latu on the books ..
Maybe sign him for an extra 2 years (total 4 end of 2028) at halves money, then his body should establish his best position and he can be paid accordingly. Unfortunately Moses would be trying to get max for his client.
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Dylan Brown talking to roosters next week, that would leave a spot at Parramatta open for Galvin ..
