MARK ‘SPUDD’ CARROLL: Lachlan Galvin needs to be left to prove himself before signing a big money NRL deal

It took all of about 27 seconds for Lachlan Galvin’s name to hit the headlines following confirmation of Dylan Brown’s eye-watering deal to join Newcastle.

I’ll get to Brown soon enough but the heavy focus on Galvin and what he might do next worries me.

The NRL rumour mill has been in overdrive, suggesting Brown’s $13 million move from the Eels to the Knights opens the way for Galvin to command similar money when he officially hits the open market on November 1.

Andrew Johns went as far as urging Parramatta to make the rookie their marquee signing from 2027, filling the void left by Brown.

“They’ll be buying probably one of the best young five-eighths in the game,” Joey said.

“We are talking hypothetical, but if Lachie Galvin was to go to the Eels, the first offer would be $1 million - that’s how crazy it is.”

Crazy is the right word for it.

The Tigers five-eighth is a genuine superstar in the making – we all agree on that – but he’s still only a kid with just 23 NRL games under his belt.

At 19, he’s far from the finished product and needs time to mature.

Most players require at least 100 games before they feel right at home in the heat of the NRL furnace.

I remember playing with Brad Fittler at the same age and standing there in awe as he sliced and diced the opposition.

Freddy was capable of anything on a football field but made some mistakes along the way as he learned his craft.

From humble beginnings at Penrith, Fittler’s worth understandably went through the roof with every new contract he signed.

That’s because he was becoming the complete footballer at each step.

There’s no doubt Galvin will make good money in the years to come.

But now is not the time to be checking the bank balance every two minutes.

Just let the kid play footy and the rewards will follow.

I’m sure that’s what his coach Benji Marshall, who knows a thing or two about expectation and big money contracts, is telling him.

Mitchell Moses and Luke Brooks also struggled under the weight of expectation when they too showed great promise at the Tigers as young players.

Both have gone on to forge strong careers with Moses becoming a superstar at the Eels.

I switched sides a few times during my career and know how distracting it can be when a club flashes its cheque book – or is it all direct debit these days? – at you.

You say it’s not a distraction but it is.

You can see the decision to move clubs is weighing heavily on Brown, who I don’t blame for accepting Newcastle’s once-in-a-lifetime deal.

Parramatta fans booed his every touch as the Eels collapsed against Wests Tigers on Sunday.

Brown tried hard enough but had little impact on the game.

And it will only get worse as the losses continue to rack up.

The fans will ride him hard.

Galvin played opposite Brown so didn’t need to look too far to witness first-hand the pressure a big money deal puts on a player.

Choose your next move carefully, Lachie.

AND DON’T GET ME STARTED

Sonny Bill Williams is kidding if he’s insisting the so-called super fight against Paul Gallen is held over two-minute rounds.

Talk about Mickey Mouse stuff. It’s either three minutes or not at all.

Gal is right to call him out on that and we now wait to see whether the two can come to terms and get this stink on.

But I do admit to some concern.

I’ve got so much admiration for boxers.

Rugby league players are tough buggers but pulling on the gloves and going one-on-one with someone who wants to knock your head off is next level.

As least we had 12 teammates around us in footy – in the square ring you are on your own.

Boxers take – and dish out - so much punishment.

So, what I’m about to say comes from the right place.

Gallen is one of the toughest hombres to ever lace on a football boot.

He never took a backward step in any game he played.

He took that same fight-to-the-death attitude into boxing and made a really good success of it.

Gal then got out at the right time, declaring that chapter of his life over.

But now, at 43, it looks like he wants to answer the opening bell again.

Gal naturally won’t be as sharp as he once was and might end up wearing considerable punishment at the hands of the younger SBW.

As someone who is dealing with the impact of CTE on a daily basis, I’d just urge Gal to have a rethink before he puts pen to paper and signs up for a comeback.

This fight should have happened at least five years ago but SBW’s camp couldn’t get a deal done.

The old Sharks skipper owes Williams nothing and owes the sport of boxing nothing.

We only get one brain.

You’ve got to do everything to protect it.