Westfields wunderkind Lachie Galvin is set to complete the transition from schoolboy footballing phenomenon to fully fledged first grader after being named in the Wests Tigers’ side for the team’s opening match of the National Rugby League season.

Galvin, who graduated from Westfields Sports High School last year, was instrumental in the school’s state and national title wins and represented the Junior Kangaroos in 2023.

A rare talent, the towering five-eighth has long been regarded as a future NRL player, but the opportunity has arrived much sooner than expected for the 18-year-old.

After a strong pre-season, Galvin has been named to wear the number six jersey as the Tigers head to Canberra to play the Raiders.

Westfields Sports High’s Director of Sport and rugby league coach, Troy Weeden, said Galvin had an extraordinary amount of ability and would only getter better as he built up physically.

“Every kid we have seen here that has gone on to the NRL, they have all had something a bit different from each other,” Mr Weeden said.

“For Lachie, I think it is his competitiveness.

“He just has that will to win. I don’t think I have ever seen anything like it.”

Illustrating the point, Galvin finished his time at school having lost just a single match when he was in Year 11.

“I think he’ll hold his own for the Tigers,” Mr Weeden said.

“Wherever he goes, he just seems to be on the winning side.”

After an exceptional 2023 with state and national titles for the open boys’ team at Westfields, Mr Weeden said this year would see something of a re-set for the school.

“We’ll brush up OK. There’s that pressure being the number one side, but they’ll account for themselves well,” he said.

The strong girls’ program at the school is also poised to go to the next level after making the semi-finals of the state competition in 2023, losing to eventual champions Hills Sports High School.

In a huge boost for Westfields’ rugby league program in 2024, renowned NRL coach Tim Sheens will work with the school as a consultant.