Lagging behind deity, disheartened (5)

I believe the answer is:

galah

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'lagging behind deity disheartened' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'lagging behind deity disheartened' is the wordplay.
'lagging behind' becomes 'gal' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'deity' becomes 'allah' (I've seen this in another clue).
'disheartened' says to hollow out the word (remove centre letters).
'allah' with its middle removed is 'ah'.
'gal'+'ah'='GALAH'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for galah that I've seen before include "Simpleton" , "Fool" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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