How wonderkid Lachlan Galvin won his Wests Tigers teammates over to earn first-grade call-up

Lachlan Galvin created quite the buzz around Concord in the pre-season, blowing his Tigers teammates and coaches off the park in pre-season with his ability to earn the no. 6 jersey in their season opener.

Lachlan Galvin is set to start in the halves for the Tigers in round two for his NRL debut. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Wests Tigers wonderkid Lachlan Galvin wasted little time winning over his older and more experienced teammates in the pre-season. He did it by leaving them in his wake.

“He came in here full throttle, winning every fitness drill and test by a mile,” teammate David Klemmer said.

“He has trained hard, he has done all the hard work.”

Coach Benji Marshall vowed to reward players who shone in the pre-season. None shone as bright as 18-year-old Galvin, who will make his first grade debut against Canberra in the nation’s capital on Saturday afternoon alongside Jayden Sullivan in the halves.

“I had already heard about him – once I saw him in action, he was killing everyone in the fitness drills,” captain Api Koroisau said.

“I think that was the thing that caught everyone’s eye. Then he started playing some footy and he was just as good at that too.

“I think he is just a natural footballer – moves really well, quite a tall kid but gets around the park really well and a great talker on the field too.

“He is going good.”

Lachlan Galvin is set to start in the halves for the Tigers in round two for his NRL debut. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Marshall’s decision was made easier by fitness concerns over veteran half Aidan Sezer, who has been troubled by a hamstring injury and was selected on the interchange bench.

However, the sense is that Galvin would have been there regardless, if not in the starting side than as part of the wider squad.

There has been a buzz about him all summer at Concord, where the club is based. The Tigers are coming off season upon season of abject disappointment but the hope is that Galvin is among a vanguard of youth that can be the catalyst for change.

The likes of Tallyn Da Silva, Josh Feledy and Jordan Miller are knocking on the door as well. Galvin has banged it down.

“At the end of the day no one really knows if anyone is ready,” Koroisau said.

“You have to wait and see, wait until they get out there. He has been training really well, everyone has a lot of confidence in him and he has earned this opportunity for sure.

“I wouldn’t put too much pressure on him. It is his first game. He put so much confidence in everyone by the way he was training.

Lachlan Galvin has won the faith of coach Benji Marshall ahead of their season opener after a terrific pre-season. Picture: Tim Hunter.

“He even played against the Dragons and he was probably the best out there, the way that game went. For an 18-year-old kid to go out and do that is pretty special.”

Galvin will need help. Lots of it. The Tigers are coming off a low base and everyone at the club has attempted to limit expectations, not just on Galvin but on the team’s performance this year.

You won’t hear Marshall spruiking about plans to make the top eight. Improvement is the buzzword. However, Klemmer broke ranks momentarily on Wednesday as he declared finals football was on the agenda.

The Tigers have some optimism again thanks to a teenager with energy to burn and a desire to win.

“Playing finals football definitely mate,” Klemmer replied when asked the expectation for the season.

“We want to be competing and being in those games. We have the talent to do it – all these young kids are frothing at the mouth.

“We have to do everything we can to support them.”

Originally published as How wonderkid Lachlan Galvin won his Wests Tigers teammates over to earn first-grade call-up