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The only problem is the booing could be drowned out by the Bulldogs’ faithful, who are expected to outnumber the Tigers’ supporters at their own home game.
Things turned nasty earlier this season when Galvin and his manager did not even bother listening to what the Tigers had to offer, which was worth $5.5 million over six years.
Lachlan Galvin and Jarome Luai didn’t last long as the Tigers halves.Credit: Steven Siewert
A few Tigers teammates vented their frustrations via social media when Galvin indicated he wanted to try his luck elsewhere. Galvin was dropped to reserve grade, then recalled, then eventually released to join the Bulldogs.
He is only 20 years of age, has an abundance of talent and will play finals football this year, something he would not have done had he stayed at the Tigers this season.
But losing out to the Bulldogs in the chase for Luai would have been so much worse, according to the Tigers hierarchy.
Richardson and coach Benji Marshall were this week happy to celebrate the player they had rather than half they had lost.
“What I do know is I’m so glad we’ve still got Jarome Luai. We needed him. We’d be in a lot of trouble if we didn’t have him.”
Tigers CEO Shane Richardson
Luai could have easily been running out in the Bulldogs’ blue and white, having all but agreed to join the Belmore club in late 2023 only for the Tigers to strike with a five-year, $6 million deal.
Marshall this week told this masthead about the importance of Luai, their relationship and the sales pitch that ultimately paved the way for him to choose the Tigers over Canterbury.
Luai told colleague Michael Chammas from NSW Origin camp last year that when it came to his partnership with halfback Nathan Cleary at Penrith, “he’s Batman and I’m Robin; I want to be Batman”.
Well, Marshall claims Luai pinched that line from him.
“I knew Romy – we had roomed together when we were playing for the New Zealand Maoris in 2021 in Townsville – and I actually told him how at Penrith, ‘You’re Robin, but I think you’re a Batman’,” Marshall says.
Jarome Luai shares a joke with Tigers coach Benji Marshall.Credit: Getty Images
“It made him think about it, and think deeply about what I was saying. He had a lot of success at Penrith, but I thought he was pigeonholed into that role of being on the left side, Nathan did a lot, and how I thought Romy had more to give.
“He had won competitions, but the bigger challenge was getting us out of the hole we were in here, taking us to the finals, and one day winning a comp.
“How do you convince a guy who had won four premierships to come to a team that had won three wooden spoons?
“He’s such a competitive guy. Even at training, I’ve tried to make everything competitive for him to get more out of him.
“Day one of pre-season training, he was all about accountability and standards, and what he was prepared to accept at training, and what he wasn’t.
“It was a different level of expectation, and some of the things that were happening were simply not good enough or at a standard he knew [was required to win]. He set the benchmark from the start. He doesn’t shy away from the tough conversations, but it’s also never personal, and always team first. That’s what I love about him.”
Luai, 28, said this week he wanted to make Galvin a better player when he was here, and Marshall agreed.
“He did try to make him better by putting aside his ego and game to essentially cater for the way Lachie played,” Marshall says.
Lachlan Galvin has impressed since joining the Bulldogs.Credit: Getty Images
“We started the season trying to play into Lachie’s hands a bit, with Jarome taking a back seat to that. He was more on the ball, and trying to get Lachie the ball when he wanted it.
“We had a whole pre-season of playing one way, then Lachie left, and we had to change it again for Romy.”
Jahream Bula is a big addition for the Tigers on Sunday after missing the past six weeks with a hamstring injury. Canterbury will sorely miss their own No.1, Connor Tracey, who has been one of their best players this year, due to an abdominal issue.
Bula created headlines when he turned up for Canterbury’s game against St George Illawarra and sat with some of the players’ families to watch Galvin play. The softly-spoken Bula is now managed by the same agent employed by Galvin.
Bula has a mutual option in his deal for the 2027 season, but Marshall says there is no cause for concern.
“Jahream is mates with Lachie, and Jahream is committed to being here – he’s been really good,” Marshall says. “When Romy and [Sunia] Turuva played their first game for us, we had Brian To’o, ‘Critta’ [Stephen Crichton] and Spencer [Leniu] in the crowd to support their mates. It’s the same thing with Jahream and Lachie.”
Galvin has barely rated a mention internally at the Tigers this week. It sounds hard to believe, but Marshall claims it’s true.
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“When you’re in a team, you’re invested in the guys here, and once they leave, you can still have relationships with them, but you’re no longer invested in what they’re doing,” Marshall says. “It’s not about them any more because they’re not here.
“You’re invested in the guys who are invested in you, and who want to be here. We’re not going out to try and beat Lachie Galvin on Sunday. We just want a consistent, 80-minute performance where we can walk off the field and say we died on our sword, regardless of the result.”
The Tigers’ players might not be focused on beating Lachie Galvin on Sunday, but the fans certainly are.
NRL is Live and Free on Channel 9 & 9Now
The only problem is the booing could be drowned out by the Bulldogs’ faithful, who are expected to outnumber the Tigers’ supporters at their own home game.
Things turned nasty earlier this season when Galvin and his manager did not even bother listening to what the Tigers had to offer, which was worth $5.5 million over six years.
Lachlan Galvin and Jarome Luai didn’t last long as the Tigers halves.Credit: Steven Siewert
A few Tigers teammates vented their frustrations via social media when Galvin indicated he wanted to try his luck elsewhere. Galvin was dropped to reserve grade, then recalled, then eventually released to join the Bulldogs.
He is only 20 years of age, has an abundance of talent and will play finals football this year, something he would not have done had he stayed at the Tigers this season.
But losing out to the Bulldogs in the chase for Luai would have been so much worse, according to the Tigers hierarchy.
Richardson and coach Benji Marshall were this week happy to celebrate the player they had rather than half they had lost.
“What I do know is I’m so glad we’ve still got Jarome Luai. We needed him. We’d be in a lot of trouble if we didn’t have him.”
Tigers CEO Shane Richardson
Luai could have easily been running out in the Bulldogs’ blue and white, having all but agreed to join the Belmore club in late 2023 only for the Tigers to strike with a five-year, $6 million deal.
Marshall this week told this masthead about the importance of Luai, their relationship and the sales pitch that ultimately paved the way for him to choose the Tigers over Canterbury.
Luai told colleague Michael Chammas from NSW Origin camp last year that when it came to his partnership with halfback Nathan Cleary at Penrith, “he’s Batman and I’m Robin; I want to be Batman”.
Well, Marshall claims Luai pinched that line from him.
“I knew Romy – we had roomed together when we were playing for the New Zealand Maoris in 2021 in Townsville – and I actually told him how at Penrith, ‘You’re Robin, but I think you’re a Batman’,” Marshall says.
Jarome Luai shares a joke with Tigers coach Benji Marshall.Credit: Getty Images
“It made him think about it, and think deeply about what I was saying. He had a lot of success at Penrith, but I thought he was pigeonholed into that role of being on the left side, Nathan did a lot, and how I thought Romy had more to give.
“He had won competitions, but the bigger challenge was getting us out of the hole we were in here, taking us to the finals, and one day winning a comp.
“How do you convince a guy who had won four premierships to come to a team that had won three wooden spoons?
“He’s such a competitive guy. Even at training, I’ve tried to make everything competitive for him to get more out of him.
“Day one of pre-season training, he was all about accountability and standards, and what he was prepared to accept at training, and what he wasn’t.
“It was a different level of expectation, and some of the things that were happening were simply not good enough or at a standard he knew [was required to win]. He set the benchmark from the start. He doesn’t shy away from the tough conversations, but it’s also never personal, and always team first. That’s what I love about him.”
Luai, 28, said this week he wanted to make Galvin a better player when he was here, and Marshall agreed.
“He did try to make him better by putting aside his ego and game to essentially cater for the way Lachie played,” Marshall says.
Lachlan Galvin has impressed since joining the Bulldogs.Credit: Getty Images
“We started the season trying to play into Lachie’s hands a bit, with Jarome taking a back seat to that. He was more on the ball, and trying to get Lachie the ball when he wanted it.
“We had a whole pre-season of playing one way, then Lachie left, and we had to change it again for Romy.”
Jahream Bula is a big addition for the Tigers on Sunday after missing the past six weeks with a hamstring injury. Canterbury will sorely miss their own No.1, Connor Tracey, who has been one of their best players this year, due to an abdominal issue.
Bula created headlines when he turned up for Canterbury’s game against St George Illawarra and sat with some of the players’ families to watch Galvin play. The softly-spoken Bula is now managed by the same agent employed by Galvin.
Bula has a mutual option in his deal for the 2027 season, but Marshall says there is no cause for concern.
“Jahream is mates with Lachie, and Jahream is committed to being here – he’s been really good,” Marshall says. “When Romy and [Sunia] Turuva played their first game for us, we had Brian To’o, ‘Critta’ [Stephen Crichton] and Spencer [Leniu] in the crowd to support their mates. It’s the same thing with Jahream and Lachie.”
Galvin has barely rated a mention internally at the Tigers this week. It sounds hard to believe, but Marshall claims it’s true.
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“When you’re in a team, you’re invested in the guys here, and once they leave, you can still have relationships with them, but you’re no longer invested in what they’re doing,” Marshall says. “It’s not about them any more because they’re not here.
“You’re invested in the guys who are invested in you, and who want to be here. We’re not going out to try and beat Lachie Galvin on Sunday. We just want a consistent, 80-minute performance where we can walk off the field and say we died on our sword, regardless of the result.”
The Tigers’ players might not be focused on beating Lachie Galvin on Sunday, but the fans certainly are.
NRL is Live and Free on Channel 9 & 9Now
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