Bigger, stronger, faster... blonder: Inside Galvin's transformation

Bigger, stronger, faster ... blonder.

After beating the record he already held for the 1.2km Bronco run at Wests Tigers training, teenage star Lachlan Galvin revealed he was 2cm taller than last season and was also bulking up.

Sporting blond hair - courtesy of mum Tracey, who he asked to dye it while waiting for pre-season training to start - Galvin has been working hard in the gym, while adhering to a diet that is the envy of team-mates.

“I have got to put the kilos on,” Galvin said. “I am trying my best.

“Our dietitian says eat what you want, so it is pretty cool. I just try to eat as much as I can, and if I come in in the morning and I weigh more than I did yesterday I am happy.”

Galvin is non-committal about his future beyond the 2026 season but there is little doubt the Campbelltown junior is happy with the direction of the club.

In particular, Galvin is looking forward to playing alongside new halves partner Jarome Luai, who he and his father, James, studied while the Origin and Test star was helping Penrith to a fourth consecutive premiership.

“Me and dad were just sitting there and thinking I am going to play alongside him,” Galvin said. “It is a bit crazy, so I can’t wait until he gets into training.

“I think he will help us so much and change the culture around here building into next year. I haven’t spoken to him at all yet, but we know how good a player he is.

"He will take so much pressure off me, and he will run the team, do what he needs to do, and I will just run off the back of that, and do whatever he wants me to do.”

Galvin is also excited about the five other new faces who have joined Wests Tigers, and Royce Hunt, Jack Bird and Jeral Skelton have already started training with the squad.

Sunia Turuva was an interested onlooker at last Thursday’s training session ahead of the club’s major sponsorship announcement and he, Luai and Terrell May are expected on deck soon after returning from international duty.

“I think just the six signings this year has been amazing and with the major sponsor, there is a lot of belief in the direction of the club,” Galvin said.

“Having all of these older boys getting around us is just a mad feeling, and just the hard work we are putting in ... I have never trained as hard as I have these last four weeks.

“They are really good additions, and they are helping us.”

Galvin has been standout at pre-season training and last week beat his club record by 3 seconds in the 1.2km Bronco run.

However, he is struggling to meet the weight targets Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall and his performance staff have set for him after playing last season at 85kg.

“I got 4:15 last year in the 1.2km and I got 4:12 this year, so I am pretty impressed with that,” Galvin said. “I just want to work hard, and I think if you work hard good things happen.

“The coaching staff and the physical staff want to put more weight on me. I have been in the gym this year with Benji following me around a bit making sure I do all of my reps.

“I think putting a bit of weight on and getting stronger is going to really help me in defence. Every morning that I am in here they tell me to eat breakfast and eat lunch. I have got to put the kilos on.

“I have struggled with that, I don’t eat enough. I am trying my best. I get a dinner box from Maccas on the way home.

"I have grown, I was 191cm towards the middle of this year and I am up to 193cm now, plus the blond hair, so it is good.”

The 19-year-old admits he has been copping heat from team-mates over his blond hair but insists he has no intention of changing it.

“Not all the boys really like it, but I am going to keep it as long as I can,” he said.

“It was just boredom at home. I said to mum one day, ‘do you want to dye my hair’ … and it came out blond, so I’ll keep it.”