The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have made headlines yet again with the high-profile acquisition of young gun Lachlan Galvin — and now, club captain Stephen Crichton has finally spoken out, giving his take on the blockbuster NRL signing that has fans buzzing and rivals on high alert.
Crichton, the 23-year-old premiership-winning centre turned full-time leader, fronted media on Tuesday morning after a training session at Belmore Oval, addressing the speculation and excitement surrounding Galvin’s move from the Wests Tigers.
“Mate, I think it’s a great signing,” Crichton said with a confident grin. “Lachie’s a talent — no doubt about it. He’s young, but he’s got maturity well beyond his years. The way he plays, the way he competes — that’s exactly what we need here. He’ll be a welcome addition to the team.”
The Bulldogs officially confirmed Galvin’s multi-year deal last week after weeks of intense negotiations and speculation. The 18-year-old playmaker had been a bright spark in a struggling Tigers outfit, impressing in his rookie year with his fearless running game, smart kicking, and high football IQ. While the Tigers were desperate to retain him, Galvin ultimately opted for a fresh start under Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo — a move Crichton fully supports.
“I’ve spoken to him a few times since the news broke,” Crichton revealed. “He’s pumped. I told him straight up — if you’re coming in, you’re coming into a club that’s building something strong. The culture we’re working on, the brotherhood — he’ll fit right in.”
Galvin’s signing marks another chapter in the Bulldogs’ aggressive recruitment drive as they aim to reestablish themselves as NRL contenders. Over the past two seasons, the club has secured major names including Crichton himself, Matt Burton, Reed Mahoney, and Viliame Kikau. Adding Galvin to the spine — potentially pairing him with Burton or moving him into the halves rotation — adds much-needed depth and dynamism to a squad still in transition.
“People can see we’re serious about competing again,” Crichton added. “No one’s here just to make up the numbers. Bringing in someone like Lachie shows that we’re not waiting around. We want to win. We want to make finals. We want to bring back the Doggies pride.”
The Bulldogs are currently mid-table, showing flashes of brilliance but still lacking consistency. Crichton acknowledged that turning the club into a finals fixture won’t happen overnight, but insisted that Galvin’s arrival is another step in the right direction.
“He’s the type of player that lifts the standard at training,” Crichton said. “Even just his energy — you feel it. That’s the kind of guy you want to build a future around.”
While there has been some chatter around Galvin’s youth and whether he can shoulder the pressure that comes with such a high-profile move, Crichton dismissed those doubts.
“I came into first grade young, too,” he said. “Pressure’s always there. It’s how you deal with it — and I’ve seen the way he carries himself. He’s got the right attitude. He’s got good people around him. We’ll all support him here.”
Coach Ciraldo echoed similar sentiments earlier in the week, praising Galvin’s maturity and professionalism, and noting that while the club isn’t rushing his development, they see him as a key long-term piece.
As the Bulldogs prepare for a tough upcoming stretch of fixtures, all eyes will now be on how Galvin integrates into the squad — and whether he can provide the spark that propels the Doggies back into the premiership conversation.
For Crichton, though, the focus is clear.
“We’ve got the talent. Now it’s about building the connection,” he said. “Galvin’s going to help us do that. And I’m excited to lead this team alongside him.”