Wests Tigers rookie Lachlan Galvin has reflected on his first NRL game, acknowledging that while the highlight moment was not the start of the season the club had hoped for, it was still a significant milestone in his career.
Partnered with Jayden Sullivan in the halves, Galvin played a key role in setting up the club’s opening try of the season. He ended the game with impressive stats, including three tackle busts, one line-break, 22 tackles, 174 running metres, and 95.7 kicking metres against the Raiders.
Making the adjustment to first grade, Galvin ran out in front of family and friends on Saturday afternoon, marking the first of what is hoped to be many games in Tigers colors. A Campbelltown junior who began his junior career with the Parramatta Eels before moving to the Tigers, Galvin’s debut at 18 years old mirrors that of Benji Marshall in 2003.
Reflecting on his debut, Galvin told NRL.com, “Today was a dream come true, getting this opportunity so young is so special. I can’t believe it, like five months ago I was still in school. I just had a massive smile on my face [running out], that’s probably the best feeling I’ve ever felt.
A few months ago I was watching these guys on the TV, wishing I could be there so running out and seeing all those boys, it’s unreal. But Benji talked to me about how he was 18 when he made his debut, and that helped me feel confident that I was ready. He just told me to go out there and whatever I’ve done to get to this point keep doing because that’s what’s working…Hopefully, I held my own.”
Following the game, coach Benji Marshall praised the young Australian Schoolboys representative for his debut performance, acknowledging him as one of the club’s best players in Round 2. If selected in the team again this week, Galvin will face Nicho Hynes, the 2022 Dally M Winner of the Year, and the Cronulla Sharks, who are currently undefeated after wins against the Warriors and Bulldogs.
“He didn’t let anyone down …he just played footy and did his job,” Marshall said. “He had some really nice touches, and that’s what we saw in him and why we picked him. We’ll pick every week which team we think is best for that week, and if we think Lachie is the best option, then we’ll go with him.”
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