Stephen Crichton has lifted the lid on the Lachlan Galvin meeting that won over Canterbury players, with the teen questioned about his motivations for joining the Bulldogs.

Galvin appeared to be largely embraced by Canterbury players during his first game there on Monday, mobbed by teammates after scoring a try in his 23-minute stint.

There had been speculation in the lead up questioning the impact Galvin’s arrival would have at Belmore, with Canterbury top of the NRL ladder since March.

Galvin’s ugly Wests Tigers exit dominated headlines for two months, while Crichton and other ex-Panthers remain close with Tigers co-captain Jarome Luai. 

Crichton said he did not like the fallout from the issue, including suggestions the playmaker would not be well received at the Bulldogs.

Lachlan Galvin is tackled by Haumole Olakau’atu. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

“I don’t really like it either, but I feel like you don’t know someone unless you actually meet them,” the Canterbury captain said from NSW State of Origin camp.

“You can have an opinion about someone, but unless you go up there and speak to them you never know how that person is.

“That’s probably what I got from Lachy, because I never really met him until he got to the club.

“When he did get there the biggest thing was he was happy. 

“He loves his footy, comes from a loving family, and the connection between the boys and him is probably the most vital thing.”

Crichton said teammates had sounded out Galvin in a team meeting over why he had opted to move to Canterbury, after gaining a release from the Tigers.

Galvin will stand to earn more money over the next 18 months after exiting Concord, but knocked back bigger long-term contracts when signing with the Bulldogs.

“That kind of question popped up … ‘what’s your motivation? What drives you?’” Crichton said.

“We just wanted to learn what was the honest truth with everything.

“It wasn’t about money and things like that, it’s just coming to learn, for one.

“And two, him being a better person and to be a better footy player as well. I feel like he’s landed at the best club for that.”

Crichton said he believed halfback would be Galvin’s long-term position, having already been impressed by the 19-year-old’s ball work and commitment.

The Bulldogs played Galvin in the halves when he entered the field against Parramatta on Monday, with off-contract No.7 Toby Sexton moved to hooker.

Starting hooker Reed Mahoney appeared to cut a dejected figure in Canterbury’s sheds following the game, having been granted permission to look elsewhere.

But Crichton said the Bulldogs’ culture meant players embraced the idea of a team-first mindset at the club and Galvin squeezing someone out would not be an issue.

“It’s the kind of culture that we’re building right now,” Crichton said.

“Regardless of where you sit in the team it’s always what the club needs and the team goes first.

“Once you put that at the forefront of your mind, regardless of who’s in the team, you want the club going in the right direction.”

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