Tigers youngster Lachlan Galvin with Benji Marshall.Credit:Rhett Wyman
Galvin was a perennial winner during his junior career. The 18-year-old won 11 grand finals despite being let go by the club he barracked for,Parramatta. His NRL career also got off to a winning start,playing an impressive role in the Tigers’ opening two victories this year.
He admitted the subsequent losing streak had been difficult,but believes it will put him in good stead.
“That’s what me and my dad talked about,how much I’m learning from losing,” he said.
“It is hard. If I walked into a Penrith[side],I’d be winning a lot more and think I am on top of the world. But would I be getting the lessons I am now? Probably not.
‘If I walked into a Penrith,I’d be winning a lot more and think I am on top of the world. But would I be getting the lessons I am now?’
Lachlan Galvin
“Being at this club has taught me so much and made me work even harder towards my game … I’ve loved every minute of it. When you’re playing NRL at 18 years of age,you can’t really complain too much.
“It’s been a rollercoaster. We started the year really well,getting those two wins against Parra and the Sharks.
“Losing nine games straight,it does hurt a bit,it does take it out of you. Us younger boys have come through the junior grades losing maybe three games in the last three or four years.
Lachlan Galvin during his junior days.
“That’s been hard. It’s probably a good learning curve for the younger boys to know it’s not going to get given to you,you have to work hard and be patient.”
Galvin won’t need to do it all himself. Marquee signing Jarome Luai joins next year,as well as Panthers teammate Sunia Turuva.
“I spoke to him when we versed him in Bathurst,” Galvin said of Luai. “He said,‘Keep going,you’re killing it,you’ll see me next year’.
“I can’t wait to learn off him when he comes next year. It should help me develop and become a better player.”
The Tigers have given nine players their debuts this season,the most of any NRL club. Galvin has played alongside many of the promising juniors now tasked with bringing a winning culture to first grade.
“There’s five from our Harold Matts team,with[Heath] Mason and Jordan[Miller] making their debuts[against the Titans on Saturday],” he said. “It’s pretty mad and surreal that five of us from that team are playing NRL now.
“We want to come up all together and change this club around.”
Galvin,who is expected to overcome a hand injury to be available for next weekend’s clash against Canberra,has shied away from social media.
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“It gets to you a bit,you hear it a bit,” he said. “I just try to stay off the socials and not read it as much. I just try to get to training,work hard and try to keep having fun.
“I play this game because I love it and enjoy it. I don’t want to lose the love for the game,just keep enjoying it.”
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