Wests Tigers players accept Lachlan Galvin may be booed by his own home fans when he makes his hotly-anticipated comeback from a week in exile.
Galvin returns to the NRL side against Cronulla this Sunday, having been dropped to reserve grade the day after the club announced he'd declined to review their contract offer for 2027 and beyond.
Coach Benji Marshall consulted senior players as he made the decision to axe Galvin, with co-captain Api Koroisau publicly questioning whether Galvin subscribed to the Tigers' "team-first" mentality.
But after losing to wooden spoon favourites Parramatta in Galvin's absence, Marshall recalled the 19-year-old only seven days after cutting him.
Brent Naden insisted there had been no tension at training since the Tigers reintegrated the teenager, who was subject to social media ridicule from teammates after knocking back the contract offer.
"(It's) same old, same old, just laughing, joking around with him, asking about his school homework," the winger joked.
"He's always had my trust. He's back in the team this week and looking forward to playing with him."
Tigers players are hopeful fans can be similarly welcoming when Galvin runs out at the three-time reigning wooden spooners' spiritual home Leichhardt Oval.
But if long-suffering fans vent their frustration by booing the man who had been touted as the No.6 to lead Wests back to respectability, utility Jack Bird say it'll all be part of the rugby league experience.
"We've got to support him. He's one of us still," he said.
"But then again, that (booing) is part of footy. You've just got to cop it and take it on the chin. For his sake, I hope they get around him and support him.
"If they do that then I'm sure he'll play a good game."
Galvin has been subject to aggressive social media comments from Tigers supporters since it was confirmed he would leave at the end of 2026.
Fears of more negative attention have reportedly led Galvin's mother to opt against attending the game against the Sharks.
Bird said it was natural for fans to be disappointed in the five-eighth, with whom he has fast become friends with since arriving at the club this year.
"You make a decision and fans always have a say and an opinion," he said.
"When you make a big decision like that, you're going to get backlash and things said about you.
"But I think the main thing is just to ignore it and focus on yourself and focus on the future and not dwell on the things you can't control."
Naden said Galvin would concentrate more on securing the Tigers' fourth win from eight games than the possibility of booing.
"It is what it is," he said.
"The crowd's there to make an atmosphere but I'm pretty sure Lachie's main focus is to get the win and play some good football."
