Lachlan Galvin won’t have had a more topsy-turvy day in his life.
The 18-year-old five eighth was the star as the Wests Tigers pulled off a dramatic 17-16 shock on Easter Monday, setting up two crucial tries, but was sent to the sin bin for a hip drop and, before he had even got home to Campbelltown after the match, found himself suspended for the next two matches when the charge sheet dropped.
Speaking in the sheds after the match, the lanky teenager could not believe all that had befallen him in such a short space of time.
“It’s a bit crazy coming out in the past three games and performing pretty well,” said Galvin.
“Five months ago I was leaving school and I was getting my lunch box in my bag. It’s pretty weird, but it’s a dream come true.”
Plenty of players far more mature than him might have folded after leaving his side eight points and a man down, but Galvin said that he was able to focus on the moment and come back to have a positive impact on the game.
“I’ve never really lived in that moment before where I had to come off for 10, but the boys did really well with a man down,” he said.
“I had to come back and make it back up to them, so I just tried my best. We stuck into the end and got the win.
“I just let it go. What happens happens. I came off for ten, the boys did a really good job. I just had to think myself, ‘what’s next and what can I do to get the team home here?’”
He didn’t just respond: he changed the game. His line break and pass for Jahream Bula was exactly what Tigers fans – and coach Benji Marshall – want to see, their two brightest young talents combining in a crucial moment.
“As Benji says, do what you see,” explained the rookie.
“I saw that I could run, luckily I got through and then I heard Bula back on the inside like he always does in games and in training.
“I saw him and thought ‘throw it’ because he’s always there. It was a great try.
“(Benji) has been so good for me. He shows full confidence in me and it makes me want to go out there and play for him.”
“He’s been so good for me. I prepare for each game and he comes out and says ‘play your game, do what you see, if you see something, do it’.
“He has full confidence in me and that makes me want to go out there and win and play my best footy.”
Galvin paid tribute to those around him, who put in a superb rearguard action to secure the win, and to his halves partner, Aiden Sezer, who is 14 years his senior.
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
“The boys really turned up today, it’s one of the best wins that I’ve been a part of,” said the teenager.
“We did it all preseason and it’s finally coming off in the last two weeks with two great wins.
“We’ve defended really well and kept teams to low scores. We had nearly five sets on our line once there and to keep out a very good Parramatta team was a really good effort.
“Sezer’s been so good for me. He controls it – he keeps me in check a few times when I go too far. I love playing outside him and I hope it keeps going on.”
Slammin_Sam
Roar Rookie
He will definitely want to play for a club that will be there in September which rules out the Tigers and the rabbits....
The Barry
Roar Guru
Same… shame he’s going to be sitting out for a couple of weeks I’m on the verge of deleting the SuperCoach app and starting again next year… it’s been a shocker !!!
Horses for Courses
Roar Rookie
As a Supercoach owner I am all aboard that hype train.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Cini is with Parramatta NSW Cup, I think ? He put in a couple of shockers for the Tigers after his fine debut match and was never spotted again !
Curly
Roar Rookie
The media are quick to gush over young sports people early in their career then when they are on big money, savage them for being overpaid. Ah the media. A necessary evil.
andrew
Roar Rookie
Agreed. I was curious if Cini's still in the NRL. Galvin looks the goods, it's a pity he's got to miss the next 2 games.
Curly
Roar Rookie
Or a future star. How many next Bradmans have fallen by the wayside.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Yep ! He needs to be protected from the media at least until he can shave ! If he can get clear here, he will be a great footballer. The talent is obvious.
Albo
Roar Rookie
But I think there is a huge difference between the talents of halfback and playmaker Galvin and a 4 game winger Zac Cini who got some wraps for scoring a try on debut?
andrew
Roar Rookie
Remember that Tigers winger Zucini ? Next star etc etc. Where is he now? I think Galvin has a better future, especially with Benji’s coaching.
Busty McCracken
Roar Rookie
Can't see anything possibly going wrong by putting labels such as "future nsw playmaker" on a young halfback at the tigers. Good luck to the kid with all the incoming expectation being placed on him.
The Barry
Roar Guru
He’s been amazing to watch The only thing that would make you think he’s 18 is his skinny frame and baby face. Other than that he plays with the surety of someone much older His attacking skills are pretty obvious, but yesterday he missed just his first tackle in first grade out of 68 attempts It’s hard not to get excited by him, but I hope the media don’t go nuts and start calling him “the next….” as we’ve seen go pear shaped so many times before
Albo
Roar Rookie
It only took half a trial match to recognise the talent this kid had. He has demonstrated it further in the three NRL matches since. As long as he doesn't get caught up in all the media hype too soon, he should have a great career ahead. He reads the game well, has a good pass, is a good defender and looks unfazed by the NRL environment.
Curly
Roar Rookie
Galvin. From school lunch perhaps Vegemite sandwiches with crusts cut off to chewing up Eels for dinner.
Tony
Roar Guru
Luai might have to play off the bench
Curly
Roar Rookie
Ah. The fearlessness of youth.
matth
Roar Guru
Luke who?
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Galvin is signed until the end of 2026. So there’ll be no offers from the Roosters . Not at least until the of next season. Yet you’d see West's extending his contract , with a big upgrade. Well before that time comes around. Add him to the good new halves coming through for NSW.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Can we just please place a ban on the Roosters making this kid an offer.
Bondi’s Fairy Legs
Roar Rookie
Amazing kid! Can’t wait to see him grow!