Luke Brooks has warned fans and critics to go easy on Lachlan Galvin, desperate for the Wests Tigers' new shiny toy to not face the same pressure he long felt.
Galvin was the star of the show in the Tigers' 17-16 Easter Monday win over Parramatta, laying on two tries in a coming-of-age performance.
The 18-year-old is already seen as the bright light of the battling joint-venture, who are desperate to end a run of 12 straight seasons out of the NRL finals.
But Brooks knows all too well how the story can play out.
He was only one day older than Galvin was when he made his NRL debut for the joint venture at the SCG in 2012, and was almost immediately labelled as the next Andrew Johns.
Galvin has so far avoided similar comparisons, with Tigers coach Benji Marshall seeing more similarities with former Melbourne premiership winner Scott Hill than any rugby league Immortal.
And it's something Brooks is happy to see, adamant near-unattainable comparisons must be avoided for the sake of Galvin and other youngsters.
"It’s hard on young kids if they’re coming through and getting compared to someone who has done it all in the game," Brooks said.
"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."
Brooks labelled the joint-venture's win as a glimpse into the future, with young fullback Jahream Bula finishing off a late go-ahead try after a Galvin bust.
But by the same token, he knows it won't always be easy for the young Tiger cubs.
Brooks became the most scrutinised player in the game for the majority of his stint in black, orange and white, before he opted for a fresh start at Manly this year.
And he doesn't want the same pressure to fall on Galvin.
"Because he came into the NRL and no one really knows how he plays, they don’t have as much video on you," Brooks said.
"But once teams tend to start finding your weaknesses, that’s when it starts to get a bit harder.
"He has been playing some good footy and he’s definitely a great player, and one for the future.
"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.
Galvin will miss the clash with the Dolphins on Saturday night after copping a two-match ban for a hip-drop tackle.
The fortnight out will give the five-eighth some time to take stock, after admitting his opening three games in the NRL had come as part of a whirlwind month.
"It's a bit crazy, coming out the last three games and performing pretty well," Galvin said.
"I don't really think I thought it was going to happen.
"Five months ago I was leaving for school every day and my mum, I was getting my lunchbox in my bag and that.
"It's a dream come true. Hopefully I just keep the good form up."
