New Bulldog relieved at first-up Canterbury reception

West Australian

10-06-2025

Lachlan Galvin has admitted he was relieved to be given a rousing reception by Canterbury fans, hopeful the door can now be closed on his Wests Tigers exit.
After being the most talked about teen in rugby league for the past two months, Galvin was given a standing ovation in his first game for the Bulldogs on Monday.
The 19-year-old's name was chanted behind the bench as he prepared to come on against Parramatta, while he was mobbed by fans after the 30-12 win.
The playmaker was also applauded with his first touches of the football, before being mobbed when he scored a late try for the Bulldogs.
Galvin's Tigers' exit has been one of the biggest talking points of the season, with his image clearly damaged in some quarters as a result of his public exit.
Asked if he was relieved to be given such a welcome by a crowd of close to 60,000 on Monday, Galvin admitted he was.
"It was (a relief). For the fans to get behind me (after) being here a week only is pretty cool," Galvin said.
"That's all in the past now.
"I just want to come over here and play good footy and enjoy my footy, that is the main reason I play and the reason I want to be here.
"Walking over from the hotel (before the match) was pretty cool. It's going to be a good journey and something I want to be part of."
Initially expected by coach Cameron Ciraldo to enter the club via reserve grade, Galvin won a bench spot in the NRL after impressing in his first days at training.
He entered the field in the halves in the 57th minute, with off-contract No.7 Toby Sexton reverting to the hooker role.
Galvin is now likely to be thrown straight into the starting halves alongside Sexton against South Sydney on Sunday, with Matt Burton on NSW State of Origin duties.
"Whatever Ciro wants and whatever Ciro does I will back him, and whatever the team needs I will do," Galvin said.
"I just got in there and tried to earn the boys and Ciro's trust, by working hard and training hard is all I wanted to do.
"I just got in every day and tried to learn as much as I can, asking questions from the coaches and the boys.
"I was very grateful Ciro put me in this early."
Burton's unavailability will mark the third year in a row he will miss a Canterbury game to be 18th man, despite never entering the Origin field in that role.
Canterbury lock Kurt Mann was also lock for Queensland in Origin I, with the situation having frustrated the Bulldogs in the past.
"It's mixed feelings, but we want people in and around that arena.
"If Burto comes back a better player and learns something out of those 10 days, it's great."