In a thrilling encounter at Leichhardt Oval, Lachlan Galvin emerged as a standout player for the Wests Tigers, guiding his team to victory over Cronulla in an extra-time finish. The 19-year-old showcased his talent early in the match, setting the tone by assisting Samuela Fainu with the opening try within the first ten minutes, quickly winning over the crowd and commentators alike.
Galvin’s involvement didn’t stop there; he was instrumental throughout the first half, displaying his prowess with a series of smart plays, including a crucial grubber kick that forced a dropout. He also set up a try for Sunia Turuva, who extended the Tigers’ lead to 10-0. Commentators praised Galvin’s explosive style and his significant contributions on both attack and defence, noting his impressive 11 carries and flawless tackling record before half-time.
As the second half began, the game took a turn when Sharks player Briton Nikora was sin-binned for a high tackle, reducing Cronulla to ten men. This period of numerical advantage saw the Tigers capitalise with a try from Tallyn Da Silva, who picked up a loose ball from a bomb kick. Despite this setback, the Sharks fought back with Will Kennedy scoring to keep the match competitive.
Penalties continued to plague the game, resulting in a flurry of sin bins, which included Fonua Pole receiving a yellow card for a high tackle. With the score tied at 18-18, the final moments of regulation saw both teams come close to clinching a win, but they were denied, forcing the match into golden point extra time.
In the tense overtime, both sides had opportunities to secure victory, but mistakes were made, including a charged-down field goal attempt by Cronulla’s Nicho Hynes. The Tigers received a pivotal penalty that enabled Adam Doueihi to take aim, successfully nailing the penalty goal and sealing the victory after nearly 89 minutes of play.
The Tigers’ triumph was celebrated fervently by the home crowd, who experienced the highs and lows of a gripping match that highlighted Galvin’s potential and the resilience of his team.