Wests Tigers trio expect Galvin to shine in NRL debut
Lachlan Galvin, a future star of the game, will make his much awaited NRL debut for the Wests Tigers this week after being handed the reins by Benji Marshall to start in the halves.
Marshall’s decision to start him over veteran Aidan Sezer, playing with youngster Jayden Sullivan in the halves, was the greatest surprise pick on Tuesday when team lists were released.
After failing to make the finals for almost a decade, the Wests Tigers have completely rebuilt their halves as they attempt to begin their 2024 campaign with an away victory over the Canberra Raiders.
Galvin, 18, is hoping to replicate the success of the 2005 season and has gained the support of three-star teammates to impress in his first NRL game on Saturday afternoon.
“He’s a natural footballer.” “He’s a gun,” Galvin’s captain, Apisai Koroisau, remarked in a press conference on Wednesday.
“What is the old adage?” If they’re good, they’re old enough. All of the lads believe in him, and he demonstrates this on a daily basis.
“He has a great running game.” He’s such a tall kid, yet he moves very effectively and smoothly.”
“I’m just going to go out there and do my job because I’m confident he’ll go out there and kill it,” prop Stefano Utoikamanu explained.
“He’s someone who will work hard for us. He’s young, but he’s showed that he’s quite secure and comfortable ordering everyone where to go.”
“He trounced everyone by a country mile in a variety of races. “I’ve never seen anything like it,” said teammate forward David Klemmer.
“It is a credit to him. He might have come in here and dipped his toe in, using the excuse that he’s a young man, but he’s come in and confronted it head on.
“He’s trying to beat you and he’s a tough kid as well.”
After being notified by the Parramatta Eels that he was no longer needed at the club, Galvin progressed through the Tigers’ pathways system and became an Australian Schoolboy representative and one of the best young players yet to make their debut.
Contracted till the conclusion of the 2026 season, he contributed four try assists on his way to winning the Peter Sterling Medal last year as he led Westfields Sports High School to a National Schoolboys Cup triumph over Palm Beach Currumbin 38-4 in the final.
After starting his junior career with the Eels, it became clear that there was no room for him at the club, therefore he decided to join the Tigers. However, by doing this, the
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, after speaking with his father, James Galvin, and recruitment manager Shannon Gallant, Galvin Snr offered to pay half of the $5000 transfer fee to assist cover the expense.
“I was more than happy to oblige,” Gallant stated to the Herald.
“There were discussions about prospective development fees, but the club was more than willing to pay to bring one of its good kids home.
“When I called Wayne [Lambkin] to inquire about him, I couldn’t even finish his name. He responded, ‘Do anything you can to get him’.”
