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Shaun Lane will be taking a step back from rugby league with immediate effect – with reports growing the second-row forward is weighing up his future in the NRL at large.
The 30-year-old is set to miss out on this round’s match against the Tigers, but after being dropped to reserve grade, has decided to step away from the game entirely.
The reserve grade side is due to play in the NSW Cup on Easter Monday against Western Suburbs, with a star-studded lineup in Joe Ofahengaue, Bryce Cartwright, Wiremu Greig and Ryan Matterson all expected to play.
However, all stars are reportedly on the way out the door at Parramatta, with Ofahengaue set to head to the Super League, and Cartwright and Greig off contract at the end of the year.
Matterson has a season remaining on his contract, but could also be on the outer with the club amidst a big shakeup in the off-season.
Shaun Lane. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Lane has been one of the side’s most consistent performers in recent years – winning the club’s player of the year award in 2022 when the Eels made the Grand Final, and over his time at the club has also won the coaches award, community award, and players’ player award.
The news has amidst the Eels 1-5 start to the season that sees the club last on the ladder – with new coach Jason Ryles’ clean-out having ruffled feathers.
The Eels have released a statement supporting Lane’s decision, however, details as to whether his hiatus will be temporary are still unclear.
“Shaun Lane is taking some time away from the game to consider his future and won’t be playing this weekend,” the Eels said in their statement.
“As a club we are supporting him through this period.”
Wests Tigers have taken action after the club has been inundated with abusive emails and phone calls to its front office towards Lachie Galvin in the wake of the young five-eighth announcing he would leave at the end of next season.
Messages such as “you never know who is watching” and “it’s a good thing you can run fast, otherwise we’d get you” were received by the club, according to a Sydney Morning Herald report, while there has been a torrent of abuse on social media.
The Tigers closed comments on their official social media channels due to the stream of criticism.
Galvin has also had to deal with teammates Sunia Turuva, Fonua Pole and co-captain Jarome Luai criticising him on social media with the 19-year-old being bombarded with a “Here comes the money” post, a team first missive and Pole liking a blast on Instagram which ripped into the five-eighth.
Benji Marshall, who was furious after being told by Galvin and his manager that his coaching methods were one of the main reasons for his decision to not renew his contract, denied on Thursday that the other team members had bullied the teenager.
“I’m all about the mental wellbeing of our players and this has been tough for him and his parents, they are really good people and want the best for their son,” Marshall said.
Lachlan Galvin of the Wests Tigers (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
“And as a parent putting myself in that position I’d be the same wanting the same for my son. We need to take a chill pill on the things we’re saying about him and to him and the threats and all that stuff.
“It’s rugby league, the kid’s gonna move on. At the end of 2026 the club’s gonna move on and so will he. Let’s just chill with all the shit that’s coming his way and let him play footy.
“I don’t think he’s being bullied by the other players.
“We don’t stand for bullying, and I spoke to the team this morning about it – that’s not us.
“We’re not bullies, our players are not bullies. They had an emotional reaction … but it’s not bullying.
“I don’t think (Turuva) should have done it … but am I going to slap (him) on the wrist for it? No, we don’t need that.”
Galvin has rejected an offer to stand down from the game this round due to the circus surrounding his decision and will line up in the NSW Cup on Monday after being dropped from the NRL squad.
Anthony Seibold has urged the NRL to reconsider its scheduling after Manly’s season was turned upside down by playing three games in 11 days.
Seibold’s comments came after a costly night for the Sea Eagles, with Nathan Brown (shoulder), Jake Trbojevic (concussion) and Tommy Talau (leg) failing to finish Thursday’s 20-18 loss to St George Illawarra.
The trio are likely to miss next week’s clash with Penrith after the Sea Eagles slumped to a third-straight win without Tom Trbojevic.
The prospect of Trbojevic returning next week came as Seibold revealed hooker Lachlan Croker was set to miss the next month of action after having knee surgery.
And while he said his side’s play was not up to scratch in the loss to the Dragons, Seibold was keen to underline that the burden of travel was becoming too much.
“This is something I was going to say regardless of the result, but that’s five games in 25 days,” Seibold said.
“The NRL’s never been more demanding and we talk about player welfare and wellbeing and so on.
“I just don’t understand how not only is it five games in 25 days, if you narrow it down a bit more, it’s three games in 11 days.”
Across those 11 days, Manly played Melbourne at home on Sunday April 6, travelled to play Cronulla in Perth on Saturday April 12 and then hosted the Dragons on Thursday April 17.
Seibold also noted issues with draws for NRL rivals such as Canberra, who have been to Darwin, Las Vegas, and Townsville in quick succession.
“We lose two days in the air to Perth, it’s a five-hour trip each way, so there’s another two days down,” Seibold said.
“I don’t understand it. The competition is demanding and it’s never been more demanding. The GPS data is through the roof this year.
Dragons forward Jaydn Su’A on the run in the win over Manly. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
“So I’ve got to say I just don’t understand that. I think it’s something that needs to be looked at.
“We had 20 minutes on the field this entire week, so it’s difficult. I’ve seen other teams with it as well, so it’s not just us, it’s across the competition and needs to be looked at.
“In the AFL they don’t have less than six-day turnarounds.”
The latest setback for Croker is a mighty blow for Manly, who have lacked the hooker’s guile and control out of dummy half.
“Crokes had a clean out on his knee during the week, so he’ll be about a month,” Seibold said.
“It’s unfortunate because he’s a really valuable member of the squad and we’ve missed him.”
with AAP
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