The Wests Tigers are in crisis with revelations their two best young players – Lachlan Galvin and Stefano Utoikamanu – both want out after
Friday night’s embarrassing capitulation to St George-Illawarra.
The pair are unhappy and disgruntled after nine straight losses and the likelihood of three straight wooden spoons.
Galvin was overheard in the Wests Tigers dressing room after the 56-14 loss to the Dragons saying that he wanted to quit, despite being under contract until the end of 2026.
Wests Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson confirmed on Saturday night that Galvin’s manager Isaac Moses had approached the club on Thursday seeking a release.
“We have no intention of releasing him,” Richardson said, “It’s as simple as that.
“It’s disappointing that the request has been made but I’m going to have a meeting with his mum and dad next week.
“I think there’s a lot of reasons behind it.
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“He’s a young kid, we’re not winning games, and he’s finding it difficult.
“All I can say we have Jarome Luai coming next year and we’ll have him, Api (Koroisau) and Jahream Bula in the spine.
“We have a contract in place with Lachlan and we intend to hold him to it.”
Meanwhile the club’s hopes of retaining boom Utoikamanu are diminishing by the day – and money is not the issue.
It’s more about his future development as a player in the right system under the right coach.
While CEO Richardson was recently spending three weeks in the UK, up to eight rival NRL clubs were expressing interest in the former Parramatta Eels junior.
Utoikamanu becomes a free agent under a clause in his contract that makes him a free agent if he is not chosen in the NSW Blues team for the final two games.
The eight clubs have contacted Utoikamanu’s manager Daniel O’Loughlin with expressions of interest should he decide to activate the clause.
The Wests Tigers have offered him $4 million over five years to stay at Concord.
However Utoikamanu is looking for more than the cash.
He’s sat back and watched ex-teammates – the likes of Shawn Blore, Luke Garner, Luke Brooks, Tommy Talau and Billy Walters – improve and develop their games at other clubs.
Utoikamanu would have the choice of playing under a Wayne Bennett, Cameron Ciraldo, Shane Flanagan, Trent Robinson or risk staying at a club that is now facing its third straight wooden spoon.
You can understand why he might be looking to get out.