NRL 2024: Brad Fittler tips Lachlan Galvin to make positional switch from five-eighth to back row in future

As Lachlan Galvin prepares for his first senior representative appearance for Australia’s Prime Minister’s XIII, coach and Blues legend Brad Fittler has tipped the rookie sensation for a shock positional switch to the forward pack.

Blues legend Brad Fittler has tipped Tigers rookie sensation Lachlan Galvin to make a shift from five-eighth to the back row.

Galvin will make his first senior representative appearance when he runs out for Australia’s Prime Minister’s XIII against PNG on Sunday.

The 19-year-old produced a sensational debut NRL campaign this year despite Wests collecting a third straight wooden spoon.

Galvin was a revelation in 21 NRL appearances for the Tigers and has been earmarked as a star of the future by the likes of Andrew Johns and Phil Gould.

But his future may not lie in the halves, according to one of the game’s greatest ever five-eighths in Fittler.

The PM’s XIII coach believes the 190cm, 85kg Galvin could make it as a crafty lock, much like new Kangaroos captain Isaah Yeo.

Lachlan Galvin is poised for his first senior representative appearance with the Prime Minister’s XIII. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“He looks a bit better than me,” Fittler said when asked about comparisons to Galvin.

“I can’t believe how big he is. He is a big boy, tall.

“It’ll be interesting watching him in his career and how he evolves.

“Does he stay at five-eighth or become a backrower, lock forward?”

Galvin laughed off Fittler’s forward shift suggestion and said he wanted to remain in the halves.

“I want to stay at six as long as I can,” Galvin said.

“I don’t want to move into the forwards any time soon. If I can stay in the halves for as long as I can, I will.

“With my height, if I get moved into the forwards one day then I’ll go there.

“But at the moment I want to be a six.”

Brad Fittler looks has suggested a move into the forwards could be on the cards for Galvin in the future. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Fittler was taken by surprise by the size of the rookie sensation.

Amid his breakout season, Galvin shocked the Tigers by requesting a release from his contract that expires at the end of 2026.

The club rejected his request and he is now looking forward to linking with Penrith’s four-time premiership hero Jarome Luai when he arrives at Wests next season.

“He will be massive,” Galvin said.

“As we saw in the grand final again, he is a quality player who can lead a team around.

“He is going to change our whole culture at the Tigers. That’s what we need at the Tigers, our culture to change a bit.

“We want quality players like him and (Sunia) Turuva who are winners.

“We know Jarome is a quality player but how good he is around the boys will be massive for us. We are on the up.

Jarome Luai and Lachlan Galvin are set to be partners in the Tigers halves in 2025.

“I’m not really worried about me and any other club at the moment. I want to fully focus on the Tigers and Jarome will be a massive part of that too.

“I want to work my hardest and play next year. (My contract) will be settled in the future.”

While the Tigers have landed a premiership and Origin playmaker in Luai, Fittler believes the Penrith No. 6s impact will be felt across the club, but especially on Galvin.

“I’m sure Lachy’s standards are high already, he seems to have that way about him, but Jarome will make sure the standards from everyone are high,” Fittler said.

“I’ve got no doubt they’ll win more games while Jarome is there. He will pick the standard up across the club and help the coach out.

“He will make a huge difference.

“Jarome can turn their fortunes around.”

Originally published as NRL 2024: Brad Fittler tips Lachlan Galvin to make positional switch from five-eighth to back row in future