Benji Marshall says fans would be within their rights to boo Lachlan Galvin when the Canterbury recruit faces Wests Tigers for the first time since his messy mid-season exit.

Galvin’s split from the Tigers has been one of the NRL season’s biggest talking points, with the young playmaker pulling out of a rebuild that had centred around him.

His move to premiership hopefuls the Bulldogs was particularly demoralising given it came just as the three-time reigning wooden spooners appeared to be turning a corner.

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today

Galvin was subject to social media ridicule from teammates Jarome Luai and Sunia Turuva when news of his exit became public and fans were similarly quick to lay into the 20-year-old online amid his move.

Marshall claimed the Tigers “haven’t even talked about Lachie” ahead of Sunday’s clash at CommBank Stadium.

He was unsure whether the Tigers faithful would keep a lid on their own emotions.

“That’s up to them,” Marshall said when asked whether he expected Galvin would receiving booing.

“The thing with that is you can’t tell them what to do or what to say or what not to say. They’ll feel how they feel. Everyone’s entitled to feel how they feel.”

A premiership-winning playmaker prior to his coaching career, Marshall said being booed was part of life as a professional athlete.

“Honestly, I’d be surprised if we don’t (receive booing as well). That’s what fans’ job is to do, they go out and they get stuck into the opposition,” the coach said.

“I’ve seen fans boo the best of players in the world, the Jonathan Thurstons, Cameron Smiths, Cooper Cronks. They’ve all been booed in their careers.

“You just accept it for what it is. Not everyone’s going to like you. If you can handle that, you’ll be good.”

After weeks of debate about how he would fit into the Bulldogs’ attack, Galvin appears to have found his rhythm at the new firm.

He and halves partner Matt Burton found seamless chemistry in a 42-4 thrashing of finals hopefuls Manly last week.

“He’s obviously added a bit of spark to them and is going pretty good there so good luck to them,” Marshall said.

“But at the same time, we’ve got to get our game right.”

Marshall expected a big game out of 20-year-old Latu Fainu, the man who has replaced Galvin next to Luai in the Tigers’ halves.

Fainu was taken off during the second half of last week’s big loss to Penrith, only his fifth game since becoming a first-choice starting halfback.

“It’d be disappointing coming off the field last week but at the same time, he’s four (sic) games playing halfback into a long career,” Marshall said.

“Sometimes, development-wise, you need to help them out and take a bit of pressure off them, which I thought I did. We’re expecting him to be back at his best this week.”