The coach is set to make another major call only a week after dropping the star.

Coach Benji Marshall is set to backflip on his Lachlan Galvin stance and name the five-eighth this weekend to play the Sharks as the playmaker’s NSW Cup teammates appeared to be handed a media ban. The Wests Tigers suffered a brutal 38-22 defeat to the Parramatta Eels on Monday to pile more pressure on Marshall, Jarome Luai and the players.

The coach dropped Galvin to the reserves as he turned out for the Western Magpies on the weekend after a tough few days at the club. The talented teen’s management have since suggested their client felt bullied at the Tigers after social media posts from teammates ridiculing the playmaker followed in the days after he said he would not sign a renewed deal.

Galvin was handed an ovation as he exited the field after his NSW Cup display, despite the reserves going down to a stacked reserve Eels side. Surprisingly, Galvin and his teammates appeared to have been handed a media ban as the playmaker was chaperoned by security guards off the field.

And the drama continued after the Tigers’ defeat at the hands of the Eels. In rare scenes, Tigers CEO Richardson jumped in to shut down questions around Galvin in the post-match press conference.

A journalist asked: “Api, how important is it you block out this Lachie Galvin drama moving forward? And I take it…” But Richardson interjected to avoid coach Marshall answering the question. The reporter hit back.

“Richo it’s a legitimate question, I just want to know. It’s been a big story, Benji just said himself it’s been a tough week… how is it you don’t let this affect the boys going into next Sunday?”

Tigers co-captain Koroisau answered after a few moments. “We get together, we’re here to play footy, we just have to focus on that,” he said. Speaking on SEN Radio, reporter Michael Carayannis was in the press conference and claimed it was an extraordinary moment.

Although Carayannis understood, with the Tigers potentially facing action over the alleged treatment of Galvin, Richardson didn’t want for his players to say anything. This comes after Galvin’s camp reportedly sent the Wests Tigers a legal letter over accusations of bullying.

“That was a first…it is strange. It is a bit bizarre. But I guess because of the legal situation around it now, that’s why Richardson intervened a little bit and didn’t want the boys to say anything,” Carayannis said on Tuesday morning.

Lachlan Galvin set to be named for the Wests Tigers

Wests Tigers initially remained firm that they wouldn’t be releasing Galvin ahead of his contract expiring at the end of next season. Although a player swap isn’t out of the question if the five-eighth’s drama continues to draw distraction.