Lachlan Galvin in frustrating PNG development after Wests Tigers cop Jarome Luai setback

Penrith great Greg Alexander has shut down criticism of young star Lachlan Galvin after a below-par display in his Prime Minister XIII debut as Wests Tigers fans await the arrival of Penrith five-eighth Jarome Luai. After showing his talents in 2024 in his debut season, new coach Brad Fittler selected Wests Tigers 19-year-old Galvin to help lead the PM XIII team for some representative experience against PNG.

Galvin was selected alongside Raiders No.7 Jamal Fogarty and veteran No.9 Damien Cook to lead the inexperienced side in the popular showdown against a passionate PNG outfit. Galvin was experiencing his first taste of international footy after exciting Wests Tigers fans all year in another dour wooden spoon season. Benji Marshall would have been watching the international game to see Galvin's development.

His form in a team that came last was so strong that he has already been touted as a future NSW halves representative. And ahead of Luai's arrival next year, Galvin was handed an opportunity to showcase his development in the No.6 jersey alongside some of the game's best players.

However, many felt Galvin did not live up to the hype against a fierce PNG outfit with the PM XIII going down early in the first half. The strong breeze worked in favour of PNG in the first-half as they took a 12-4 lead.

Galvin was taken off in the 25th minute for former Wests Tigers five-eighth Luke Brooks and the Manly player changed the game immediately having gone down the blindside to set up a try for Jacob Liddle. The speed of the ruck changed with the introduction of Brooks and Liddle as they took advantage of a tired PNG team at the end of the first-half.

Galvin came back on, with rolling subs allowed in the PM XIII game, and eventually ended up with a try-assist off a grubber. Although this was his only major involvement with the youngster unable to get into the game.

Galvin made four errors and only kicked twice in the whole game. During his 58 minutes on the park, Galvin didn't excite fans as we have become accustomed to in the NRL. And many felt the team changed when Brooks came on in the halves and took control with his running game.

"Kaeo Weekes and Luke Brooks were outstanding," Greg Alexander said on Monday having reviewed the game. Unfortunately, Galvin was not one that stood out arguably in a his biggest game to date.

Greg Alexander defends Galvin amid Luai arrival

Alexander then shut down comments Galvin could develop into a back-rower. Ahead of the PM XIII game there was speculation Galvin could make the switch to the back-row down the line. However, the Penrith legend added Galvin has only finished one NRL season at 19 years old and needs time to develop in his role, which saw him selected for the PM XIII.

"Can everyone stop talking about Lachie Galvin, who just finished his first season...played the PM XIII on the weekend and picked at five-eighth, can we stop saying he is going to be a back-rower. Can we just let him play five-eighth for as long as he wants?" Alexander said on SEN Radio. "But let him go, let him do his stuff in the No.6."

Fittler would admit it was an invaluable learning experience for Galvin with the PNG XIII offering a step-up in competition from the NRL. Although Wests Tigers fans can also point to how important Luai's introduction will be in 2025 as Galvin found it more difficult to dictate the tempo of the game. Tigers fans will be watching Luai's performances for Samoa with a keen interest to see how he goes running a team, which will be his major role next year when he switches from five-eighth to halfback at his new club.

Wests Tigers cop blow with Jarome Luai decision

Ahead of the international schedule many felt Luai might opt to skip the tour of England with Samoa with the likes of Nathan Cleary and Liam Martin withdrawing from the Kangaroos squad. Plenty of the Penrith Panthers players have withdrawn from international duty after a gruelling season having won their fourth straight premiership. Brian To'o and Stephen Crichton both withdrew from the Samoa team.

Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall would have been secretly hoping Luai would opt not to have extended his long season with a tour of England with Samoa. This means he will join the Wests Tigers' pre-season late. And Luai made the decision to represent his country in 2024, despite playing most of the season for the Panthers.

RELATED:

• Allan Langer and Kevin Walters suffer blow amid tumultuous Broncos time

• Nathan Cleary's emphatic response to big rumour around Mary Fowler

"I'd sort of been contemplating it a bit. It's been a long year, my body's a bit sore and I've got to start a new club. I didn't want to set that back any further," he said. "But I'd be doing myself a disservice and my family name a disservice if I didn't go over there and lace up the boots for my country.

"(To'o and Crichton being unavailable) was more reason why I needed to, I needed to hold it down for the boys. They've got some things going on in the off-season, and rightfully so. I'll go over there and hold it down."