'Whole thing was my decision': Lachlan Galvin lifts the lid on when he met Phil Gould, Tigers exit

Lachlan Galvin has spoken at length for the first time since his departure from the Wests Tigers, opening up on what prompted his massive decision and revealing on 100% Footy that he didn't meet Phil Gould until joining the club.

The 19-year-old's contract saga has absolutely dominated the rugby league news cycle over the past two months, but it came to a head last week when he was granted a formal release and signed a long-term deal with the Bulldogs.

Galvin's exit from Concord was a messy one, with reports indicating that his relationship with Benji Marshall and the club legend's coaching style were behind it.

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But in a sit-down interview with Nine's Danny Weidler on 100% Footy, the teenage superstar explained that he was "grateful" for Marshall guiding him into the top grade at a young age, while denying that his decision to move on was a financial one.

"Benji was great to me," Galvin said.

"I'm so grateful to Benji for giving me my debut.

"It wasn't coaching, it was more just developing. That was all on me, I just felt to improve myself that I wanted a change and that a change would get me out of my comfort zone. 

"Money wasn't really the main option. I know it's obviously a lot and people are gonna see that and think it's stupid. Money wasn't really the main reason for me."

Bulldogs general manager Phil Gould has come under heavy criticism in the wake of the move, with suggestions he courted Galvin through the media with his praise and saying his situation at the Tigers was "untenable".

Galvin said it was Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo leading the charge to sign him.

"I didn't meet Gus until yesterday (Sunday)," he said. Galvin's signature was officially announced on Friday.

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Galvin was also quizzed about the bullying accusations, which stemmed from social media posts from both Jarome Luai and Sunia Turuva at the time of his decision.

The playmaker said it was something he "can't really talk about" and that there was an "agreement" in place surrounding his move away from the joint venture.

What he did clarify though was any potential conflict with Luai, who was brought to the club to partner Galvin long-term before their time together was cut short.

Plenty of rumours suggested Galvin was jealous of Luai's influence and that the pair didn't get along, but that wasn't the case.

"People like to think we don't [get along], but we do," he said.

"Me and Jarome got on fine, we probably weren't going over to each other's houses and having sleepovers and that.

"People like to think that we never got on but behind the scenes, we were always talking and it never got to a point where we hated or never spoke to each other.

"I never walked into Concord once thinking stuff him, he's come in here and taken all the reins. I never thought that once. People can assume that and like I said they can have their opinions."

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Galvin also claims that Tigers teammates turning their back on him or mocking him when he explained his decision to leave the club "never happened" as had been reported.

"I got up in front of them twice because we had a full team meeting with coaches and then a players meeting. I got up, I spoke to them all and they all got behind me. That was never the truth ... a lot of them were supportive," he said.

The big elephant in the room that Galvin was keen to address surrounded his manager Isaac Moses, who was seen by many as the driving force behind the contract call.

"This whole thing was my decision," Galvin said stoicly.

"I told Isaac what I wanted and he says 'yes' and that's basically it. I've run this thing, I've backed myself. I'm a pretty confident kid in that way, I've chosen what I wanted.

"Obviously we've got all this backlash from it and I'll take that on the chin.

"I can say wholeheartedly this was all driven by me."

Some of that backlash is going to come from Tigers fans, who saw Galvin as the shining light for a club that have been desperate for success for two decades.

The talented former Australian Schoolboys standout acknowledges their frustration.

"I understand where they're coming from," Galvin said.

"They can have their opinion and they can have their hatred and that against me and I understand that."

As for what lies ahead, Galvin is now ready to sink his teeth into life at the Bulldogs and working under the "cool customer" known as Cameron Ciraldo.

Galvin is adamant he doesn't care what position he plays or what grade he plays in.

"I've already spoken to Ciro about that, we've had long talks about reserve grade and coming off the bench," he said.

"I'm all for it, it's wherever is best for the team."