NRL 360 panellist Phil Rothfield says Lachlan Galvin’s first public comments since signing with the Bulldogs were “very sanctioned” due to a confidentiality clause surrounding his release from the Wests Tigers.
It was finally confirmed on Friday that Galvin had secured a release from his Wests Tigers contract, and then hours later, the Bulldogs announced the signing of the boom 19-year-old playmaker.
Galvin joined the Bulldogs on a three and a half year deal until the end of 2028, which reportedly averages out to $750,000 per season.
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Rothfield said Galvin had to be careful with his public commentary around his Tigers exit.
“I think it was a very, very sanctioned interview,” Rothfield told Fox League.
“I think everything he is going to say from here is very much sanctioned, in that there is a confidentiality clause around his departure from the Wests Tigers.
“There is very much at stake legally and I don’t think we will ever get the truth.
“The true story about why he compiled the dossier on Benji Marshall, why his manager (Isaac Moses) marched in (to the Tigers) with all those demands.”
Meantime, Galvin indicated he never met Bulldogs general manager of football Phil Gould during his negotiations with Canterbury.
“I never met Phil Gould,’’ Galvin told Code Sports.
“I had a talk with Cameron Ciraldo, Liam Ayoub (Bulldogs recruitment officer) and Luke Vella (Bulldogs assistant coach), myself, Adam (Brahme), Isaac (Moses) and my dad (James).
“They were the only people in the room that we spoke to.
“I actually met Phil at training (last Saturday), that was honestly for the first time.”
Rothfield said Gould’s reputation suffered as a result of his role in the Galvin saga.
“What happened to him last week was the knockout blow to his credibility,” Rothfield added.
Journalist Brent Read acknowledged the saga had “hurt” Gould.
“I mean there’s no doubt it’s hurt him to an extent, Read said.
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Read added that Gould lost his war of words with reporter Michael Chammas on Channel 9’s 100% Footy last week.
“I think Gus came out of that the worst. I think that had an impact on him,” Read said.
Host Braith Anasta felt Gould should have been more transparent throughout the process.
“I think on this one he just missed the mark and he should have just owned the position he was in more,” Anasta said.
“He never states his position.”
Galvin will reportedly come off the bench in his first game for the Bulldogs against the Eels on public holiday Monday.
