Live: Touches of class not enough as Galvin and Magpies suffer defeat

We’ve got a fair wait until the NRL game kicks off today at 4pm but don’t go anywhere, we’ll still have all the news from around the league and plenty of reaction to Galvin’s match in reserve grade.

Stretch the legs, take a few deep breaths, maybe finish off some of the Easter chocolate around the house, but there’s still plenty of footy action to come!

Parramatta manage to hold on through the final five for deserved victory. Galvin was sharp but didn’t get a lot of attacking opportunities. You can’t accuse him of cruising though, he was going after the ball at every opportunity.

Galvin forces another drop out, his third of the afternoon, as the Magpies try to make the most of some rare field position…..and they do, with Galvin himself floating a nice long pass out to Tui’tupou to dot down in the corner! Nice stuff from the young fella.

Fall can’t convert but the Magpies have a chance, albeit a slim one as the Eels still lead 22-10. 

The Magpies are finding it hard to get anywhere near Parra’s red zone – Galvin runs it on the last around halfway and slips out a tricky offload to Mason, but he’s mobbed by the Eels defenders.

The Eels broke down the right through Samrani, he’s got some real pace but Galvin and Mason managed to cut down the angle, drag him down a few metres short and force an error. Good scramble from Wests.

Wests are having a tough time of it out there – they’re struggling to get through a set at the moment. Some good scramble defence has stopped the Eels scoring again but if the Magpies, and Galvin, are to have a chance of clawing their way back they’ll need to improve their ball control.

We’re back at it at Lidcombe Oval and Wests have it all to do.

All eyes were on Galvin heading into this but his opposite number, Ronald Volkman, is outshining him right now. The Eels five-eighth just neatly stepped some rushing defence and poked a kick over the top which was inch-perfect for Alfred Smalley to score in the corner.

Papalii’s kick is wide but the Eels take a very handy 22-6 lead into the break. 

A high kick from Hawkins is tapped back by Samrani and Cartwright is on the spot to claim the ball and score. Very nice stuff from the veteran, he always seems to be in the right place in moments like that.

Papalii nails it from touch and it’s 18-6 Eels. 

A couple of penalties get Wests down the field, Galvin fires a long ball out to Lobb but the Eels scramble and drag the big winger into touch.

Parramatta waste no time getting back the lead, prop Tony Mataele hits a short ball close to the line and was running so hard he would have gone through a brick wall. A valiant effort by Heath Mason isn’t enough, Papalii converts and the Eels are back out to 12-6.

Galvin forces a drop out with a nice grubber, Faataape nearly puts it down but the Eels just force it dead.  He does the same at the end of the next set, the Magpies are building pressure nicely.

The breakthrough comes on the other side of the field as halfback Kurt Falls links with backrower Elie El-Zakhem and he throws a great little offload to Faataape to score. Falls converts and it’s 6-all.

Wests finally get a bit of ball and Galvin’s getting a lot of touches. He’s playing on the left edge, like he often does in first grade, and is linking well with Josh Feledy and Ruben Porter – two more players with NRL experience – down that side.

Still a bit surreal to see a player of Galvin’s profile in Magpie black and white. Seems to be in good spirits. It’s a bigger crowd than usual at Lidcombe, the reception for Galvin so far has been warm enough.

A penalty in the first set of the game has put Parramatta on the attack, Volkman links with Araz Nanva and the centre is over for the first try of the afternoon. Papalii converts from out wide and it’s 6-0 Eels.

No touches for Galvin yet – it’s been a poor start for the Magpies, they’re yet to posses the ball.

The Magpies have hit the field at Lidcombe Oval, a modest reception for Galvin as runs out. Wests kick off, Eels receive and we’re underway!

After the news broke yesterday that Galvin’s team sent the Tigers a legal letter alleging the 19-year old was being bullied there was a bit of speculation he might not play reserve grade today.

But he will take the field – final teams were confirmed about 30 minutes ago and Galvin was in the side. He will play for the Magpies today.

Hello everyone, it’s Easter Monday, the sun is shining and there’s footy on, where else would you rather be than the ABC’s live blog?

We’ll be bringing two games to you today – first up, we’ll be taking you through the NSW Cup game between Wests and Parramatta, where Lachlan Galvin will be playing after his contract dramas from the last week.

That kicks off at midday, then we’ll have the NRL match between the Tigers and Eels from 4pm.

Gonna be a good one! Let’s have some fun.