‘Let the kids be themselves’: Luke Brooks hopes people don’t liken Lachie Galvin to former legends after living through Andrew Johns comparisons

Luke Brooks knows exactly how it feels to be likened to the game’s greatest halfback based on just one good performance, which is why the former Wests Tigers No.7 is thrilled that no one is comparing teen sensation Lachie Galvin to any of rugby league’s premier five-eighths.

Brooks will never forget his incredible debut for the Tigers where he stole the show at the SCG as an 18-year-old with a try against the Dragons.

But he was so impressive that people got carried away and started comparing him to Immortal Andrew Johns, which was unfair on Brooks and something that weighed him down for the next 10 years and was used against him as the Tigers failed to make the finals.

It’s easy to jump aboard the hype train when a youngster performs so well, but Brooks is pleasantly surprised that people have just let Galvin be himself and focus on adapting to the NRL.

The only legitimate comparison so far has come from Tigers coach Benji Marshall who likened Galvin to former Storm star Scott Hill who played a handful of games for the Blues and won the World Cup in 2000.

It’s a healthy comparison given their size and doesn’t put too much pressure on Galvin.

“I don’t think they’re really comparing him to anyone. He’s just playing and being himself, which is good,” Brooks said.

“Because he came into the NRL and no one really knows how he played, they don’t have as much video on you. But once teams tend to start finding your weaknesses, that’s when it starts to get a bit harder.

“People have got to realise that he’s a young kid and he’s not going to be playing his best footy week in, week out, but he has been playing some good footy.

“He’s definitely a great player and one for the future.

“It’s hard on young kids if they’re coming through and getting compared to someone who has done it all in the game.

“They’ve just got to let the kids be themselves.

“I haven’t seen any comparisons to Lachie which is a good thing because people should just let him be himself.

“By the looks of it, young kids don’t get too fazed. He looks confident.”

Galvin will miss the next two weeks after he was suspended for a hip-drop tackle on Easter Monday, but the way in which he bounced back from that moment shows why people are so confident he can save the Tigers in the years to come.

The rookie half set up two tries in the 17-16 win over Parramatta, including a stunning run and pass to Jahream Bula to put them in front late in the game.

“He was good. He just looks comfortable for a young bloke, and to set up that try, that’s a glimpse into the future for the Tigers with Lachie and Jahream playing together,” Brooks said, happy to see his former team succeeding.

“They’re playing some good footy, so I’m happy for them.

“It’s been a bit weird watching the Tigers because I’ve actually been interested watching them. I don’t really watch too much – I watch a bit of footy – but watching them, I was interested in what they’re doing, especially that game because I love it.

“I have a lot of mates at the club, so it’s good to see them doing well.”