Questions have surfaced regarding the Canterbury Bulldogs’ roster management after the confirmation of Reed Mahoney’s move to the North Queensland Cowboys and Lachlan Galvin’s mid-season arrival. Galvin, who joined from the Wests Tigers on a lucrative deal, replaces starting halfback Toby Sexton and Mahoney, both of whom have secured contracts with other clubs for the 2026 season.
The Bulldogs, who were leading the NRL ladder from Round 4 to Round 16, have recently experienced a dip in form, losing three of their last five games and dropping to third place. This has heightened scrutiny on their management decisions, particularly from Daily Telegraph journalist Phil Rothfield. In a recent column, Rothfield described the Bulldogs’ strategy as “a little bit all over the shop.”
Roster Decisions Under the Microscope
Rothfield’s criticism extends to Bulldogs general manager of football Phil Gould, whose recent roster management choices have raised eyebrows. Gould, a seasoned figure in the NRL, has a history of making bold moves, but his recent decisions have sparked debate. Rothfield noted Gould’s long absence from the winners’ circle, last achieving premiership success in 2002.
“Having two key spine players announce they’re going midway through the year for a side that was leading the competition two weeks ago I think is madness,” Rothfield commented on the Big Sports Breakfast.
This isn’t the first time Gould’s decisions have been questioned. At Penrith, he made similar controversial moves, such as cutting Jamie Soward, Trent Merrin, and James Maloney early, despite their potential.
Galvin’s Arrival and Its Implications
Lachlan Galvin’s mid-season arrival has sparked further debate. While the young half has shown flashes of brilliance in his four games with the Bulldogs, there have been growing pains. The team’s inability to close out a game against the Brisbane Broncos, despite leading 18-0 with 20 minutes remaining, underscores these challenges.
NRL legend Gorden Tallis suggested that the Bulldogs might have been better off signing Galvin at the end of the season, allowing him a full pre-season to integrate into the team. “You reckon in a perfect world the Dogs would have wanted him at the end of the season so he had a full pre-season?” Tallis questioned on Triple M’s Sunday Sin Bin.
Rothfield echoed these sentiments, suggesting that Galvin is under immense pressure, having joined a ladder-leading team mid-season. “It probably in hindsight might have been a little bit smarter to bring Galvin in at the end of the season and leave him at the Wests Tigers (for 2025),” he remarked.
Expert Opinions and Future Prospects
Despite Galvin’s high-profile contract, Fox League’s Greg Alexander believes that his inclusion in the Bulldogs’ best 17 isn’t guaranteed. Alexander, a Panthers legend, expressed difficulty in finding a spot for Galvin in the current lineup.
“What would your Bulldogs side be in Round 27? My answer is Sexton at halfback, Burton at five-eighth, and Bailey Hayward on the bench. I don’t know if I could find a spot for Lachlan Galvin,” Alexander stated on Fox League.
Alexander’s assessment highlights the competitive nature of the Bulldogs’ roster and the challenges Galvin faces in securing a permanent position. “At the moment, and how they are in their development of their career, I have Hayward ahead of Galvin because Hayward covers dummy-half and the halves,” he added.
Looking Ahead
The Bulldogs’ recent roster moves have certainly stirred the pot, with fans and experts alike questioning the strategy behind these decisions. As the team looks to regain its form and maintain its position in the top tier of the NRL, the pressure is on both the management and players to deliver results.
As the season progresses, the Bulldogs will need to address these concerns and ensure that their roster decisions align with their long-term goals. Whether Galvin’s inclusion will prove to be a masterstroke or a misstep remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the Bulldogs’ management will be under intense scrutiny in the coming weeks.
