Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall has broken his silence after a week of incredible drama surrounding Lachlan Galvin.

Earlier this week, Galvin rejected a huge contract offer saying he would be leaving at the end of his current deal (2026) in a bid to improve his development as a half.

The news stunned the rugby league world and attracted an avalanche of criticism and trolling of the 19-year-old.

Amid the fallout from his decision were reports of a rift between him and Marshall as well as senior leaders in the playing group who wanted Galvin dropped.

“At the end of the day you can’t be angry or be against someone for thinking something is best for their future," Marshall told reporters.

“When it comes to negotiations you have to do what’s best for you, no one is angry.

“I’m a little disappointed. I will always back myself and the way I do things. On a lot of levels, it is best that he doesn’t play this week, and I have the support of my senior group. It was my call.

“I spoke to Lachie this morning about it, I told him to go and play his best, earn some trust and respect back. I feel sorry for him. The reaction has been overwhelming for him.

“I still think he’s a great player and he owes me nothing, he owes our club nothing. People come and go. But we’ve got him for 18 months.”

Galvin’s explanation on his decision was met by social media trolling by Tigers captain Jarome Luai who posted an Instagram story with the caption "Team First".

Luai's post was followed by winger Sunia Turuva then posted a video on Instagram of Galvin's locked accompanied by the song "Here comes the money".

Marshall emphatically rejected the suggestion the duo had bullied Galvin.

“I don’t think he’s being bullied by the other players, there is no sense of that and we don’t stand for it. We’re not bullies.

“They’ve had an emotional reaction to someone in their team but it’s not bullying.”

Luai was asked if this week's news had impacted his relationship with Galvin.

"My relationship with Lachie has been good up until this point," he said. "I have no hard feelings.

"There is no drama about his decision over his future. I’ve thrown support behind the coach and what we stand for as a club.

"We’re working towards team first behaviours."

CONCERN FOR GALVIN

Amid the backlash Mitch Moses expressed concern for Galvin who he has known since his mid-teens.

“I know the kid personally,” he told SEN’s Run Home. “I've known him since he was 15- -years-old. He was doing a training session at Wentworthville and I went and helped him out.

“You could see he was going to be an unbelievable talent from that age. I've kept in contact with him and I just hope he's alright.

“To be honest, I haven't spoken to him but I just hope he's right.

“I'm not really on social media but I've been getting told at training what's been going on. As a 19-year-old kid coming in the first grade, he's made a decision and he's gonna have to live by it, but, yeah, it's tough.

“He's a great kid. I just hope first, first and foremost, he’s alright.”

The Tigers remain adamant that they will not be releasing Galvin from his current contract despite dropping him to the NSW Cup this week.

With player and club very much headed for divorce, the narrative now changes to where his future might lie.

Moses’ comments on Galvin will only pour fuel on speculation the teenager is destined for the Eels – and what a combination the duo would make – with the Bulldogs and Manly also expected to make enquiries.