Moses Crucifies the Tigers as the Galvin Saga Turns "Ugly"

We’re back from the Easter break to dissect the absolute "pantomime" currently unfolding at the Wests Tigers. From the club's dramatic backflip on Lachlan Galvin to the legal "chess moves" of player agent Isaac Moses, Kent pulls no punches in his critique of the Tigers' leadership.

The Galvin Backflip and the "Bullying" Claim

The big news of the week is Lachlan Galvin’s immediate return to the Tigers' starting side after being dropped to reserve grade. Kent argues that this move completely undermines the "team-first" narrative the club tried to sell just seven days ago.

"This is just becoming a pantomime, isn't it? Lachlan Galvin renamed again for the Wests Tigers at five-eighth. It really puts into place how ridiculous last week was and how the Tigers have mishandled this. They’ve got a rookie coach essentially in Benji who has not really dealt with something like this before," Kent said.

Kent reveals that the dispute has now escalated to legal threats, with Galvin’s manager, Isaac Moses, bringing in senior counsel to pursue a workplace bullying claim.

"Isaac Moses is playing hardball. He’s brought in Arthur Moses, who’s a senior counsel and a very good lawyer. He’s going to push on with this workplace bullying claim. It’s a chess move to put pressure on the Tigers to sit down and mediate, possibly looking for a release before June 30," Kent said.

The "Isaac Moses" Problem

Kent addresses the complicated relationship between player managers and clubs, highlighting why certain clubs, like the Roosters and Raiders, refuse to deal with Isaac Moses. He calls for the NRL to introduce stricter rules to prevent managers from "holding clubs to ransom."

"There should be a rule in place that if you manage a coach, you're simply not allowed to have any players at that club. The balance of power shifts and they can begin to dictate to the clubs. Isaac Moses is the best at exploiting that. Smart clubs have realised that and simply say, 'We are not going to go down this track again,'" Kent said.

He clarifies that despite rumours, he has no personal relationship with Moses.

"I don't talk to the man. I haven't spoken to him for eight, nine, or ten years. I don't like the way he has managed many of his players and how he holds clubs to ransom. But clubs, if you dance with the devil, you’ve got to know what to expect," Kent said.

Benji Marshall: Great Player, But Can He Coach?

Kent pushes back against the notion that being a legendary player automatically makes someone a great mentor, suggesting that Benji Marshall’s "hands-on" approach might actually be hindering the development of his young halves.

"Benji was a great five-eighth, but so was Wally Lewis and he couldn't coach. One of the concerns people have with Benji is that at training, if the halves can't get a drill right, Benji jumps in and says, 'This is how you do it.' While it’s great for the flow of training, the five-eighth still hasn't learned how to do it because Benji’s jumped in and done it for them. Coaching is teaching," Kent said.

Mitchell Moses and the Eels' Resurgence

In contrast to the Tigers' woes, Kent praises the immediate impact of Mitchell Moses' return for Parramatta. He suggests that Moses' form is so strong it might force an Origin reshuffle, potentially pushing him into the number six jersey alongside Nathan Cleary.

"Parramatta instantly looked like a new team. Dylan Brown suddenly became the player we all thought he could be. I think there’s a chance Laurie Daley picks Cleary and if Moses keeps this form up, he goes to six and they play those two as the halves. That sounds pretty special," Kent said.

The Knights' "Death Rattle"

Finally, Kent delivers a grim assessment of the Newcastle Knights, describing Adam O'Brien's defence of his team’s "effort" as a sign of a coach under extreme pressure.

"When you start talking effort, that’s almost like the last resort to defend your team—the death rattle. Newcastle’s attack is appalling at the moment. Their halves are not setting up any shapes; they look like they are just going from play to play. Jackson Hastings is the one they should be bringing back, but he’s so 'on the nose' there that they aren't even contemplating it," Kent said.

Watch the full episode on Fanatics TV.