Matty Johns: Lachlan Galvin grudge match comes at terrible time for Wests Tigers

Wests Tigers fans eagerly waiting the Lachlan Galvin grudge match could quickly regret it if their team don’t learn how the Bulldogs fixed his messy arrival, MATTY JOHNS writes.

This is the game Wests Tigers fans have had circled in their calendars ever since Lachlan Galvin took his boots and left to join the Canterbury Bulldogs.

This Sunday, CommBank Stadium will be full and fully charged.

Each time the ball hits Galvin's hands, Tigers fans will air their disdain with a blast of boos.

At the other side of the stadium, Bulldogs supporters will attempt to drown out the Tigers with cheers of encouragement and approval for their new halfback.

For the neutral fan, it will feel like you’re locked in a small room with a heater on in one corner, an airconditioner on in the other, battling to see who can outlast the other.

Bulldogs fans, however, will fully understand the emotion and passion the Tigers faithful will expel on Sunday, having endured the same themselves.

Sonny Bill Williams got the better of the Bulldogs when he returned to the NRL to face them. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

Sonny Bill Williams’ exit from Canterbury was every bit as ugly than Galvin’s, maybe more.

In 2013, when Williams faced the Bulldogs for the first time, Canterbury fans understandably directed more than a little hostility the back-rower’s way, It did little to discourage SBW, who scored two tries in the Roosters’ 38-0 win.

HOW LACHIE ROCKED THE BULLDOGS’ BOAT

Canterbury’s 42-4 victory over Manly in Round 21 was the type of performance the Bulldogs — and in particular Galvin — needed.

As expected, Galvin’s arrival at Belmore caused a distraction and upset the rhythm of their attack.

There was a reshuffling of positions and key men under pressure suddenly overplaying their hands and their new playmaker trying to work out where he fitted in.

Galvin, in trying to prove himself to teammates and fans, constantly looked for the perfect pass, the big play and it disrupted the style of attack the Bulldogs had developed in the past two seasons.

CIRALDO’S UNCONVENTIONAL HALVES FIX

But in victory over Manly, Galvin relaxed and blended rather than fought.

Coach Cameron Ciraldo did as he’s done all through his time at Belmore, and recognised some tinkering was needed.

Instead of adding a layer of complexity to their attack, he simplified.

Galvin, and in particular Matt Burton, put more emphasis on the run, rather than the pass.

Having two running halves can be problematic, but in the Bulldogs’ case it works due to their utility men, who have been one of the cornerstones of the team’s rapid rise.

Lachlan Galvin rediscovered his running game against Manly. Picture: Thomas Lisson

Jaeman Salmon, Kurt Mann, Bailey Hayward and even Josh Curran all have the vision and skill to get the ball to where it needs to go, allowing Burton and Galvin the freedom to react and run.

Their strong performance against the Sea Eagles, one of the best of the season, has given the Dogs’ players and fans a much-needed surge of belief.

Just as we started to believe that Canterbury were still 12 months away from being a serious title challenger, they have re-emerged.

BULLDOGS’ BEST-KEPT SECRET

The Bulldogs’ edge combinations are the best in the competition; on the left Bronson Xerri and Viliame Kikau, on the right Stephen Crichton and Jacob Preston.

Xerri has been a revelation since coming into a first grade.

He’s a powerhouse in yardage and lethal in attack, scoring two key tries against Manly, one as a result of shrugging off Tom Trbojevic no less.

The best centre in rugby league sits on the Dogs right side, Crichton. But in the not too distant future, Xerri will wear that crown.

I’d have no hesitation throwing Bronson into State of Origin today, tomorrow or yesterday.

Bronson Xerri (middle) is on his way to becoming the best centre in the NRL. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

CIRALDO’S LESSONS FOR BENJI

The Tigers will be looking at the Bulldogs with envy, they’re doing what Wests are attempting to do — build the roster and find the formula to surge north on the ladder.

The Bulldogs’ rise may appear immediate, but the Tigers need to remember the difficulty Ciraldo had in his first season at Belmore. Even if you have the players, it takes time to find the chemistry and the right combinations.

Tigers coach Benji Marshall can take a lot out of how the Bulldogs simplified to produce that performance last week.

Desperation strengthens a defensive line, but it can be problematic in attack; trying too hard, doing too much.

The Tigers should look to do less, there’s too much sideways ball movement. An attack

will flow naturally if you win the middle field.

The Tigers need to work their attack through Apisai Koroisau. Picture: Rohan Kelly

There’s too much sideways movement in coach Benji Marshall’s Tigers. Picture: Rohan Kelly

In trying to find points, the Tigers are relying too much on structured sequences. If they do that this week, the Bulldogs will recognise the threats and suffocate them with their fast-moving defence.

The Tigers need to make hooker Api Koroisau the main focus of their attack, centralising their threat and, crucially, freeing up Jarome Luai to play his natural running game as Burton did last Sunday.

It will be a big day for Galvin, one which will sit at the forefront of his mind when looking back on his career one day.

It’s a very strange feeling coming up against your old teammates and even more so given all the circumstances and day-to-day drama of Galvin’s exit.

In 2002, as a Cronulla Shark, I returned to Newcastle to take on the Knights, which included some of my dearest friends and, of course, my dear brother, Andrew.

Unfortunately, it was a horrible night, the Knights gave us a thorough flogging.

At full-time, the home crowd was so appreciative of my poor performance they gave me a standing ovation.