The Bulldogs are confident Lachlan Galvin has enough time to forge a potent halves combination with Matt Burton following confirmation that the mid-season recruit will make his first start at halfback for the club on Saturday night.
FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer >
The intrigue around Galvin’s role in the team and how that’s affected other players in the spine has been a major talking point ever since he arrived at Belmore.
It hasn’t helped that he’s started two games at five-eighth and two on the bench, while Galvin – who turned 20 this week – was dropped from the 17 last week after initially being named on the bench for the match against the Cowboys.
But the No.7 jersey is now his with Toby Sexton dropped from the halves for the game against the Dragons.
It’ll give Galvin two months to build his combination with Burton, who came up with some big plays in attack to help them sneak past the Cowboys.
MORE NRL NEWS
RESSIES WRAP: Rooster’s classy response to axing; Tiger pushes for call up
‘CAT AND MOUSE’: Why coaching bloodbath could spark 3-team race
‘REMIND SME OF SBW’: Ponga ‘shopped’ as Knights open to early release
“It’s up to the boys getting around him and giving him the confidence to do what he does best, and that’s just play footy,” Bulldogs utility Jaeman Salmon said.
“The game will come if he plays his normal game, and we just have to give him the confidence to do that.
“We’ve still got a third of the season left and I think that’s enough time to build a combination leading into the finals.
“As long as we all get around him, I’m sure he’ll be fine.”
Salmon said coach Cameron Ciraldo made the announcement at a “stock standard” team meeting on Tuesday morning and the obsession around Canterbury’s spine wasn’t a factor internally.
Galvin set to be recalled at halfback | 02:43
“I think that’s what the media portrayed. You guys have been waiting for it, but in here, we haven’t been waiting for anything,” he said.
“Whoever the best player to do that job is going to play that position, and that’s with all our positions.
“No one is ever safe. Whatever pick has been made is what’s best for the team.
“Toby is a good mate of all of ours, but that’s just part of the game. It’s hard for him but we’re all going to be there to support him.
“You wouldn’t have even noticed that there’s been stuff going on in the media about Lachie.
“He’s just a young kid who wants to play footy. He’s been handling it really well. He just wants to learn, and that’s why we like him. He’s just been a sponge since he got here and he just wants to soak it all up.”
Edge forward Jacob Preston said he felt for Sexton and was confident that he and Galvin would gel on the right side in attack.
“Des has become a dinosaur” | 02:14
The Bulldogs haven’t been at their clinical best in attack since Galvin arrived, but the end of the State of Origin period should help as they spend the next eight weeks ensuring they’re in the best position to contend for a title.
“Ever since he got here, we’ve been doing work. And we work all different halves,” Preston said.
“If we’ve ever had to change sides as well, we’re making sure we get that done as well. The combinations are ready to go.
“‘Galvo’ is incredibly talented, so he can create plenty of opportunities and we just have to react to that.”
