Knights forward Kai Pearce-Paul may provide the missing piece of the puzzle in a potential three-way player swap involving Lachlan Galvin and Dylan Brown.
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That is according to The Sydney Morning Herald’s Michael Chammas, who said he can’t see Galvin remaining at the Wests Tigers until the end of his contract at the end of 2026.
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“From speaking to people there, I think that it is untenable for him to stay beyond this year. And I wouldn’t be surprised if he leaves before June 30,” Chammas told Triple M’s Saturday Scrum.
But Chammas said the Tigers would want something in return if they were to release Galvin early.
The issue for the Tigers is Galvin is only on a $250,000 salary this season, and $350,000 in 2026, meaning that he wouldn’t free up much salary cap space if he was allowed to leave.
But letting him go does at least open up the possibility of getting a player in return, whereas, as Chammas explained, if the Tigers were to hold onto Galvin until the end of 2026, he would simply walk away as a free agent.
“The Tigers need to get something out of it though. He’s not on a lot of money, so if they let him go, it doesn’t really free up salary cap space for them,” Chammas said.
“The Tigers are in a situation where, if they let him sit there for 18 months, they get nothing in return because he just walks as a free agent.
“So you’re in a situation now where you can get something in return. I’d be very surprised if (Galvin’s release) doesn’t happen in the next few months.”
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Chammas explained that if Galvin were to go to Parramatta, the Eels would want him immediately, and if they were to release Dylan Brown to Newcastle, that would provide the opportunity for the Eels to get Galvin on their books straight away.
“Now, does it mean that he goes immediately? Depends on where he goes,” Chammas added.
“If it’s Parramatta, they would want him immediately. And I’d imagine Parramatta would have an appetite, in the conversations I’ve had, is for Dylan (Brown) to go to Newcastle immediately.
“So how does it work out for everyone? I tossed this up yesterday. Can you see a world where, Galvin goes to Parra, if indeed that is his desired home. Dylan goes to Newcastle, and the Knights give the Tigers something.”
That “something”, according to Chammas, might be forward Kai Pearce-Paul.
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“I know the Tigers have shown interest in Kai Pearce-Paul for next year. Perhaps that’s the option because it has to be something that benefits the Tigers,” Chammas said.
When asked if the Knights would have the salary cap space for Dylan Brown right now, Chammas said they don’t, but that could change if Pearce-Paul was released, given he’s on $750,000 a season.
“They’ve all got to get together, and the first step’s going to be, and I think the egos will get in the way, but the first step’s got to be, who swallows their pride and says, what’s out next move?” Chammas said, adding that Galvin’s manager, Isaac Moses, would need to make the first move and initiate the process.
“And if the Tigers, if they’re smart, they’ll say yes, you have permission, but we will not release him unless we get something in return.
“So you go do your thing in the background and come back to us when you have a solution that works for us.”
WARRIORS ON VERGE OF SIGNING SUPER COACH YOUNG GUN
The Warriors will reportedly sign promising UK forward Morgan Gannon to a three-year deal from 2026.
Code Sports are reporting that the 21-year-old Gannon will leave the Leeds Rhinos at season’s end to join the Warriors.
Gannon is a versatile back rower who is enjoying a strong season in 2025 for the middle-of-the-table Rhinos, coached by former Eels mentor Brad Arthur.
When Gannon’s name was linked with the Warriors last month, Arthur said he believed the young forward would stay with Leeds.
However, the Warriors have reportedly won his services with Gannon to reunite with his former Leeds coach Richard Agar, who is an assistant in New Zealand under head coach Andrew Webster.
Gannon will add depth to a forward pack who have been hot-and-cold in 2025 but do boast plenty of young talent.
Former skipper Tohu Harris retired with immediate effect during the off-season while another veteran in Kurt Capewell hasn’t had his best year so far and goes off contract at the end of next season.
