For rising NRL halfback Lachlan Galvin, the public criticism that followed his high-profile 2025 mid-season switch from Wests Tigers to Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs has been constant and often overwhelming. But the 21-year-old playmaker has opened up about an unexpected off-field passion that helps him block out the noise and stay focused on pushing his new side into the 2025 finals series.
Controversy has followed Galvin since his departure from the Tigers, and internal chaos at the club has kept the conversation around his exit alive long after he left. Recent off-field turmoil at Wests Tigers, including five-eighth Jarome Luai’s 2026 move to Parramatta Eels and fullback Adam Doueihi’s refusal to take the field for a recent match, has kept the spotlight trained on Galvin. Many Tigers fans have refused to forgive the young halfback’s switch, and he was met with loud boos from the crowd when the two clubs faced off in Round 13.
In his first extensive interview of the 2025 season, Galvin spoke about how he has learned to navigate the constant scrutiny. “There’s always going to be a bit of noise around this game, but I’ve learned to just block it out,” he said. “I love playing footy and I love being around my teammates, so nothing really changes how I approach the game. This is just part of rugby league, and I’ve accepted that.”
What many fans do not see is the routine Galvin has built away from Belmore Oval to decompress: a love of horse racing that has him mucking out stables and caring for thoroughbreds at Warwick Farm, a world away from social media criticism and match-day pressure. Galvin is a part-owner of a racehorse fittingly named Exit Clause, and he regularly helps out at trainer Jason Coyle’s stable with hands-on tasks from feeding horses to mucking stalls and saddling up for track work.
“That’s my escape,” Galvin explained. “It gets me completely away from footy, away from all the noise. It’s my own little bubble with Jason and a few of my family members, and that’s exactly what I need. When I get back to training after a few hours at the stables, I’m refreshed and ready to work hard.”
While the young athlete has been able to compartmentalize the backlash, Galvin acknowledged that the constant criticism has been harder on his family. “Any parent is going to hate seeing people say negative things about their kid, but we have our getaway, and we step away from footy whenever we can,” he said. “They’re all incredibly supportive, they know who matters, and they don’t pay attention to all the outside noise.”
Galvin’s escape to the stables has paid off on the field, as he has emerged as a key playmaker for the Bulldogs, who are now on the cusp of breaking into the top eight to qualify for the finals. The 21-year-old has formed a devastating right-edge combination with back-rower Jacob Preston, which produced another try in the Bulldogs’ recent clash against the New Zealand Warriors.
“He’s a freak, honestly. He makes me look so good out there,” Galvin said of Preston. “I just run at the line, and he always spots the right gap to hit. He’s one of the best back-rowers I’ve ever played with. It’s such a confidence boost having him inside me on defense and outside me on attack — I couldn’t ask for a better partner.”
Galvin also praised five-eighth Stephen Crichton, who turned out an exceptional performance just one day after welcoming his newborn child, as well as head coach Cameron Ciraldo for creating a supportive team environment that has helped him thrive through a turbulent 12 months. With the Bulldogs climbing the ladder and on track for a finals spot, Galvin said the team’s on-field success has made navigating off-field pressure far easier.
“Winning fixes everything, right? I already have such an amazing support network around me, but when you’re winning and everyone’s smiling, it makes everything so much better,” he said. While Galvin’s horses did not claim a win on the racecourse last Saturday, he is already looking forward to the upcoming Spring Carnival, where he hopes to celebrate a win both on the turf and on the football field.