Galvin opens up after starring in Tigers’ win over Sharks
Tigers playmaker Lachlan Galvin says his focus was to “do the team proud” when he helped Wests claim a golden-point victory over the Cronulla Sharks on Sunday at Leichhardt Oval.
The Round 8 clash was Galvin’s first appearance for the Tigers since rejecting a contract extension earlier in the month and being dropped from the side amid a hostile reception of the news by his teammates.
Speaking to the media for the first time since then, Galvin emphasised that Sunday night’s performance — where he was brilliant under pressure — was simply about doing his best for the team.
“I wanted to make sure I came in and was doing everything for the team, it wasn’t about me this week,” Galvin said.
“It was ANZAC Round and we just wanted to come in and do everyone proud, do our fans proud, that’s what we wanted to do this week and not worry about myself.
“I just wanted to come out here and do the team proud and all of us boys did that tonight.
“Obviously it’s been a big couple of weeks and to get the win in front of the fans, that’s why you play the game of rugby league, to win and come out and do it in front of the fans.
“It was a great win, we’ll get back to training next week and work even harder and go again next week.
“I’m feeling great, I’ve massive support around me, all I want to do is play rugby league, that’s the reason I live to be honest, to play this game and that’s all I want to do, work hard and let my footy do the talking.
“Obviously it’s been a big couple of weeks but to come out here and win is great.”
Galvin also received praise from his Wests Tigers teammates after the victory, with Adam Doueihi and Jarome Luai speaking up in his favour.
“You could see that tonight the way he came out and just owned the game and still put his plays on is a credit to the kid himself and I’m glad he was in our team today,” Doueihi said.
“I love playing with the kid, I love what he brings to our team, I love this club and I love this team and I think we all showed that,” Luai added.
Coach Benji Marshall also lauded Galvin’s performance, which took the Tigers to ninth on the NRL ladder and $41 in premiership betting at BetOnline.
“I thought he was great, he just went out and played footy, it’s what he has always done,” Marshall said.
Wests now have the chance to improve to 5-4 for the season when they take on the St George Illawarra Dragons next Saturday night.
Top rugby league bookmakers have the contest priced closely, with the Dragons marginal favourites at $1.87 to $1.95.
