For a 19-year-old, Lachlan Galvin showed real backbone and courage to take on Wests Tigers and many in the football public to gain the freedom he desired. But it has cost him an early taste of State of Origin.
During the week, Wests Tigers granted Galvin permission to negotiate with rival clubs, but they will have to pay a transfer fee of about $165,000 to get an early release.
Galvin has shown remarkable strength as some of his teammates turned on him amid a media pile-on as he stuck to his guns to gain an exit from the Tigers.
But it has come at a cost. Until he speaks, we won’t know how much of a toll his escape from a system he didn’t enjoy playing in – where he felt he could not develop his game to the level he wanted to reach – has taken on him.
His development as a player will be delayed, in part because of his stance. He was scheduled to join the NSW Origin team in their preparation for game three in Sydney in July. Including players who are either on the fringe of selection, such as Jacob Preston, or seen as future Blues, such as Galvin, has become a regular feature of the NSW set-up.
Unfortunately, the contract circus is seen by the Blues as a distraction, and Galvin won’t be asked to join the team unless there is a last-minute change of mind from NSW management. The positive for Galvin is that he is being thought about by the Blues at such a young age.
Lachlan Galvin is finally on his way out of Wests Tigers.Credit: Getty Images
It is unpopular to praise Galvin for sticking to his guns, but you have to remember the Tigers were well aware of his dissatisfaction with the club as he had asked for a release on several previous occasions.
Galvin will get the chance to play for his state down the track if he’s as good as many think he is. Right now, his only concern is to re-establish his reputation and form on the field, which has made him such a player of interest to other teams.
Daley brings back Maguire to torment Maroons again
The Blues have called in “one and done” former NSW coach Michael Maguire to help with their preparation for Origin I when they arrive in Brisbane tomorrow.
Maguire has been invited into camp by Laurie Daley in another display of selflessness and ego-free coaching by the returning Blues boss.
Maguire was the man who got into Billy Slater’s head during last year’s series, particularly with his now-infamous “glass houses” comment, which appeared to rattle the normally affable Slater.
Michael Maguire and the Blues celebrate a remarkable and rare Origin series deciding win in Brisbane in 2024.Credit: NRL Photos
Maguire also put steel into the NSW side through his aggressive approach, which included getting the nicest man in rugby league and former Blues captain Jake Trbojevic to swing Madge’s symbol of mayhem and aggression – a baseball bat – in the Blues dressing room as part of their incredible 2-1 series win last year.
It is unclear whether Maguire will bring his bat with him when he lands in NSW camp, but he will bring his thoughts on what the blue jumper means to him.
Daley has already shown he will do whatever it takes to get the series win by including his close mate Craig Bellamy on his coaching staff.
“What has really impressed me with Laurie is his willingness to take on what we established last year with Madge,” said Blues manager Frank Ponissi. “He has his own ideas, obviously, but he is not ego-driven enough to make changes for no reason. He wanted Craig here and that shows he is confident in himself.
Brains trust: Craig Bellamy and Laurie Daley at NSW training on Wednesday.Credit: NRL Photos
“Craig is not the frontman, and he’s really enjoying that. It’s really interesting watching the assistant coaches and Laurie. There is no question they stop and listen when Craig talks, and he’s not afraid to speak at Laurie’s meetings or to the players.
“Craig is talking more to the coaches than the playing group, but Laurie has asked him once or twice to address the players, and they hang off every word. It’s probably even more effective having Craig in that role rather than having his voice all the time. It’s very powerful.”
Daley has made a number of important phone calls in his preparation for game one, but one stands out above the rest.
“The toughest call I had to make was to Jarome [Luai],” Daley said. “He was a very important, influential member in being able to create that atmosphere that helped NSW win the series [in 2024]. But I went for Mitchell Moses [due to] the style of footy we wanted to play in game one. Mitch fits that.
Telling Jarome Luai he had missed out was the toughest call for Laurie Daley.Credit: Getty Images
“But I want to give credit to Jarome. He handled it like a pro. I just said to him, you never know when your opportunity’s going to come again.
“And I loved his reply. He said, ‘Coach, I’ll be ready. Let the boys know I want them to go out there and win.’”
The other call was to Bellamy.
“Craig was my first call, when I asked him to join me on the coaching staff,” Daley said. “He didn’t say yes straight away, and told me he had to think about it – probably for a number of reasons that are obvious. Firstly, his commitment to the Melbourne Storm and, secondly, how it would impact the players who he coaches day to day with the Storm, who would be in the Queensland side.
“He’s been such an enormous help to me already, and to the rest of the coaching staff. He’s been bouncing off scenarios, game scenarios, training scenarios and how we’re planning and what we need to do, what the focus should be, and he’s thrown out challenges here and there.
“He wants to gauge my response, and he will say: ‘I’m only throwing it out; you do what you want to do, not what I want you to do’.”
Twitch glitch did not cost May
Laurie Daley is not big on social media, so you can take it as fact that Terrell May’s glitch on the gaming platform Twitch was not a reason for missing selection for Origin I.
Terrell May has been a revelation for the Tigers since his shock release by the Roosters. But it wasn’t enough to earn him a Blues jumper.Credit: Getty Images
May appeared to let the cat out of the bag well before the team was officially announced when he said on a live stream: “You know that Blues jersey I bought you? Chuck it in the bin.”
The next place to look for reasons behind May’s omission is the Blues coaching staff. There are some hard-nosed men there, headed up by Craig Bellamy. If you know how the Storm operate, character is key.
Two other members of Daley’s coaching staff are Roosters premiership-winning SG Ball coach and NRL assistant Boyd Cordner and Trent Robinson’s right-hand man at the Tricolours, Matt King. Remember, May left the Roosters in mysterious fashion last year.
There is no hard evidence to say they didn’t want May in the side, however. Instead, we are told he was not selected because of his lack of intensity in defence, and to a lesser degree in attack. May did not score highly in the areas that Daley uses to measure player’s input into games.
Return of the King
Blues rookie Max King is a rarity.
“He’s the one that got away from us,” said Melbourne football manager Frank Ponissi. “We had him at the Storm, and we loved everything about him, but we just couldn’t get him right. His Achilles would not heal.
“It’s so great to see his success now, and he is so deserving of his Blues position. I just wish we got him going at Melbourne. He is our style of player and person.”
Max King in action for the Storm in the 2019 preliminary final against the Roosters.Credit: NRL Photos
King would appear to be the ideal player to start in his Origin debut: mistake-free, strong and has great emotional control. Plus fellow forward Mitch Barnett has a more dynamic style of game, and is able to play prop and back row.
King has been a source of positivity and energy in the Blues camp. When he arrived, he left the team room with an armful of protein and energy drinks. “I’ve never seen a fridge like it,” he said with a smile.
Why top Dog is NSW skipper in waiting
This is not the stuff that gets clicks or mainstream media coverage, but Bulldogs skipper Stephen Crichton deserves some praise.
Crichton gave up four hours of his time to assist Canterbury great Paul Langmack with a project that helps with kids’ mental fitness, called Changing Rooms. Crichton was asked to show up just for a meet and greet, but instead spent several hours with the kids. He made a huge impression on them, which will hopefully help them out if they find themselves facing difficult times in future.
Stephen Crichton speaks to kids as part of the Changing Rooms program.Credit: Canterbury Bulldogs
We’ve all seen the outstanding footballer Crichton is, but we’re also getting glimpses of the man that made him the best option to be the Bulldogs captain at the start of last season, despite being just 23 at the time.
Langmack described Crichton as the most humble and respectful person he has met in football. Crichton has come a long way in a short time, and it is hard to argue with Langmack’s assessment.
Crichton’s authenticity and generous spirit are obvious to an old media hack like myself. His inclusiveness and warmth make him a potential Blues leader in future.
Ramsey’s story warms Blue hearts
New Blues assistant coach Dean Young had the honour of giving Cody Ramsey his first-grade debut in 2020, and in his current role he got the chance to call him up into the Blues squad to help them prepare for Origin I.
Ramsey’s potentially life-threatening battle with ulcerative colitis has been well publicised, and to see him with the Blues squad on Tuesday was heartwarming to say the least.
Before Young could even tell Ramsey what role he would play for NSW, he had agreed. It is understood he initially thought he might be helping out with a junior team. When he found out it was with the Blues Origin side, Ramsey got in touch with close mate Zac Lomax, the Blues winger and godfather to Ramsey’s daughter. Lomax and Blake Lawrie were two of the players at the Dragons who stood by Ramsey and helped him through his darkest days.
To see Lomax and Ramsey together with the NSW side gave a lot of pleasure to those who know their history and Ramsey’s battle.
Cody Ramsey in Blues camp.Credit: NRL Photos
Ace of clubs
It was wet and cold when the Blues arrived at their Leura base in the Blue Mountains on Tuesday. But superstar centre Latrell Mitchell was still keen for a hit of golf. He played a quick 10 holes before the team dinner. He is off a handicap of 10, and that number is on the way down.
Tatts the reason
We spoke to Taylan May recently about his battles, but one thing we left out was the most famous tattoo in the NRL. I simply asked him why?
“Obviously it’s my family name, and I’m very impulsive, so I think that’s why,” he said. “It’s my family name, and I thought it meant so much to me. And I feel like I’m the carrier of that family. I feel like I carry everyone’s burdens. I love my family, and I want to, you know, I’m a family man. It didn’t hurt … It took two hours. My artist is very good.”
Taylan May and his very obvious tattoo.Credit: Getty Images
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