With a third consecutive wooden spoon hanging heavy, and the wolves hovering, Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall has defended his team’s handling of rising gun Lachlan Galvin.
Galvin, who has been dealing with a hand ailment for several weeks, will not play against Gold Coast on Saturday. The youngster, whose contract expires in 2026, has suffered both physical and mental damage as a result of nine straight losses.
Speaking at Leichhardt Oval alongside news of a $40 million upgrade for the iconic suburban venue, Marshall was adamant it had always been the plan to rest the 18-year-old this week and dismissed talk of his early release from the club.
“Lachie is 18 years old, he has played every game straight bar the two he got suspended (Round 5-6) and it happens to a lot of kids, they go through ups and downs and sometimes they need a spell,” Marshall told media at Leichhardt Oval.
“We decided it was this week – regardless of the stuff that went on – he was going to have a rest this week anyway.
“The decision to rest him this week is more about the fact that as an 18-year-old you go through ups and downs and lulls, and he’s been carrying a bit of an injury in his hand so just a rest and he’ll be back next week.
“It doesn’t matter what other people say [about him playing injured]. We’ve got a pretty handy medical department here and we make decisions based on the best interests of our players. You can say whatever you want but unless you are inside these four walls then you can’t understand what’s happening with injuries.
“We’ve cleared that up [about him wanting to leave]. Shane Richardson [Tigers CEO] went and met with his parents and they’ve made it clear that he wants to stay.
With Galvin and halfback Jayden Sullivan both sidelined by injury, skipper Api Koroisau has made the selfless call to play halfback against the Titans, despite being in the mix for a Blues Origin berth as a hooker.
