How Andrew Johns convinced Lachlan Galvin to commit to Tigers

Lachlan Galvin has revealed that comments by Andrew Johns helped convince him to recommit to Wests Tigers and work to turn the club around.

A week after requesting a release, Galvin ended speculation about his future by assuring club powerbrokers that he will see out his contract, which expires at the end of 2026.

The turnaround occurred after Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson and head of football Matthew Betsey visited Galvin’s parents at their Gregory Hills home on Wednesday. After speaking to his father, James, Lachlan assured the Tigers hierarchy that he wanted to lead the club’s resurgence.

Speaking about his future for the first time, the teenager revealed Johns helped make up his mind.

“I’m fully committed to Wests Tigers,” Galvin told this masthead.

“I want to change the club around, I’m fully committed to the next two years of my contract. Just thinking about it, it’s cool to think ... I can be that kid to change this club around.

“You hear the likes of Andrew Johns talking, saying there is a legacy for you and how cool would it be if you change the club around.

“I thought of that and that’s incredible to me, to think I could be one of the few to change this club around.”

Galvin vehemently denied reports he told teammates he couldn’t wait to leave the club after a heavy loss to the Dragons.

“Absolute lie,” he said. “I would never do that to any of my teammates or Benji [Marshall, coach] or any of the coaching staff. I would never disrespect them like that.

“I would never walk around the sheds yelling out I want to quit. It’s all BS.”

Tigers youngster Lachlan Galvin with Benji Marshall.

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.

“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.

“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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