Tigers Stun Bulldogs as Galvin Faces Old Club in Fiery Grudge Match
Wow, what a game we witnessed in Round 21 of the NRL 2025 season! The Wests Tigers pulled off an absolute boilover with a 28-14 win over the Canterbury Bulldogs at CommBank Stadium. And yes, it came with all the drama you’d expect when a young star returns to face his former club. Lachlan Galvin, who controversially left the Tigers mid-season to join the Bulldogs, was at the centre of attention—but coach Benji Marshall made it very clear: this one was never about him.
From the opening whistle, though, it felt like Galvin was going to be the headline. Every touch he had was met with a chorus of boos, and Tigers captain Jarome Luai didn’t hold back either—giving him an earful after an early penalty. Still, Marshall was quick to dismiss the hype post-match, saying the focus had always been on beating a top-four side, not any personal grudge.
But let’s talk about Adam Doueihi—what a performance! The off-contract utility back arguably played one of the best games of his career. He scored a 75-metre runaway try, set up two more, and kicked a sideline conversion for good measure. His form couldn’t come at a better time either, with clubs like St George Illawarra circling. You could see how much this win meant to him and the team.
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Despite a rough start—literally losing the ball on the first tackle of the game—the Tigers regrouped fast. They pounced on every opportunity, going up 20-4 at halftime in wet and muddy conditions. The Bulldogs had their moments too, especially with Jacob Kiraz narrowing the margin early in the second half and a late try from Josh Curran. But it wasn’t enough.
There was no shortage of tension either. Alex Seyfarth was sin-binned in the 60th minute, and Crichton somehow avoided the same for a high shot not long after. Even with 12 men, the Tigers dug deep. Luai’s short ball to Samuela Fainu sealed it late in the game—even if the pass looked a little forward, it was allowed and the scoreboard told the story.
Galvin did what he could, but as Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo put it, it’s hard to shine as a halfback when your forwards are on the back foot. To Galvin’s credit, he didn’t shy away and was seen post-game hugging former teammates, showing there's still plenty of respect there.
This win now lifts the Tigers above the wooden spoon zone and gives their fans something to cheer about after a rollercoaster season. As for the Bulldogs, they stay in third, but the gap to the top two is getting tighter.
A gritty, emotional game full of heart, rivalry, and redemption—classic footy.
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