NRL boss Andrew Abdo has sent a league-wide reminder to all clubs about the “serious consequences” they could face for breaching anti-tampering rules after the Wests Tigers warned off anyone looking to contact wantaway teen star Lachlan Galvin.
The 18-year-old, who is contracted until the end of 2026, is believed to have requested an exit from his deal, having made similar moves during the pre-season to no avail.
Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson has declared the club has “no intention” of releasing Galvin, who won’t play this week as he rests a hand injury for which he had been having painkilling injections in order to take the field this season.
“Well, he’s got a contract, it’s very simple. He’s got two more years under contract, and we intend to keep him to the contract,” Richardson said this week.
Under NRL rules, no rival clubs are allowed to even speak to Galvin until next November, and Abdo on Wednesday said the league would bring down the full weight of its rule and any penalties should even a hint of wrongdoing become evident.
“The rules are there for a reason. It’s important to protect the integrity of the game,” Abdo said at the Beanie for Brain Cancer launch.
“It’s important for all stakeholders, not just the players but the clubs themselves and the fans. We take this very seriously.
“The new CBA has a number of new provisions in it. The clubs, players and the agents are all aware of what the rules are.
“And if they break the rules, there will be serious consequences.”
Those consequences would be determined by the level of any breach, Abdo said, with financial penalties just one of the levers at the NRL’s disposal.
“It depends on the circumstances, the case and the individuals involved,” Abdo said.
“There are a wide range of penalties, not just financial penalties, that we can apply.”
It’s understood Galvin wants out of the battling NRL club despite the imminent arrival of star players including premiership-winning Penrith star Jarome Luai in 2025.