Wests Tigers to axe Lachlan Galvin after he told NRL club he would not accept a $6 million contract extension

Lachlan Galvin is reportedly facing the axe at Wests Tigers as the five-eighth’s decision to knock back the club’s contract extension sets the stage for a messy break-up.

Adam Doueihi is a chance to start at five-eighth against Parramatta on Easter Monday in place of Galvin, after confirmation he will leave the club when his current deal expires at the end of 2026.

Teenage sensation Galvin passed on what the Tigers called the biggest contract they’d ever offered to a local junior and will be free to negotiate with rivals from November.

The Tigers were set to offer him a five-year extension plus a top-up for the next 18 months totalling around $6 million. He is understood to be earning $350,000 currently.

But in an ominous sign that the Tigers are prepared to play hard-ball with their star, Galvin is expected to be absent from the team list on Tuesday afternoon, so won’t have the chance to begin putting himself in the shop window.

Doueihi, fighting for his own contract extension, is poised to line up next to Jarome Luai in the halves as the Tigers look to build on a 3-3 start to the season.

Latu Fainu is currently recovering from a thumb injury but he and Jack Bird would provide other halves options should the Tigers’ stand-off with Galvin continue.

The Tigers have previously insisted Galvin will not be permitted an early release from his deal.

It remains to be seen whether Galvin would line up in NSW Cup for feeder club Western Suburbs this weekend.

Clubs are permitted to use players in NSW Cup even if they are not named in the team list on Tuesday.