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'Not at all': Bulldogs set to sign Lachlan Galvin despite major question marks over switch

Liam O'Loughlin
Liam O'Loughlin

Updated . First published at

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Lachlan Galvin looks set to join the Bulldogs, despite calls from Andrew Johns urging the young five-eighth to sign with Parramatta.

The 19-year-old is expected to leave the Wests Tigers in the coming weeks, with two clubs in the hunt to land his prized signature.

Canterbury and Parramatta were both willing to offer Galvin around $750,000 per year - which is far less than what the Tigers were initially going to pay the teenager.

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It was originally speculated that Galvin's preferred landing spot was at the Eels, but that looks to have changed dramatically in recent weeks.

According to Nine's Danny Weidler, the former Australian Schoolboys representative has told the Bulldogs he wants to join the club, with no formal deal made at this stage.

Reports from The Sydney Morning Herald indicate that Galvin will join the club as soon as his release from the Tigers - with the $165,000 transfer fee - is confirmed.

It's expected that Galvin will sign a three-and-a-half year deal with the ladder leaders, keeping him in a blue and white jumper until the end of 2028.

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While he initially distanced himself from the contract saga and said the Dogs weren't interested, Phil Gould has seemingly had a change of heart.

Paul Gallen has worked closely with Gould each week on Nine's 100% Footy and was asked about whether the league legend had been playing the media all along.

"Gus wouldn't lie, don't you dare say that," he told Nine's Sunday Footy Show.

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"I was there that night and I said the Dogs, I said it a long time ago.

"Gus said 'nah, we're not looking at him' - but I've got to say, things change in rugby league. That was a fair few weeks ago now.

"I think the Dogs have a fantastic team, but I think where they could strengthen is probably in their halfback role."

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A potential move to Belmore would see Galvin wear the No.7 jumper and partner Matt Burton in the halves, but there have also been suggestions of moving Burton to fullback or centre long-term to accommodate young gun Mitchell Woods.

However, according to Johns, playing the prodigy at halfback isn't the right move.

Lachlan Galvin Getty

"I don't see Galvin as a halfback, not at all," the rugby league Immortal said.

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"He's a five-eighth and eventually he could develop into a ball-playing lock. I don't see him as a halfback steering the team around.

"Can we just announce it? Please, get it done. Sign it and move on."

Gallen also thinks working alongside Mitchell Moses would have been beneficial.

Mitchell Moses of the Eels in action.

Mitchell Moses. Getty

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"It's up to Galvin. At the end of the day, his manager is gonna put him with someone who he's gonna learn from," he said.

"I think he might put Galvin at Parramatta because he's gonna learn from Mitch Moses. It's about his development as a player and he's gonna learn a hell of a lot more from Moses than anyone in the Dogs side.

"Either one of those clubs will be a good fit for him."

Galvin has played 31 games since making his first grade debut last year.

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