Phil Gould makes impromptu Belmore visit to address Bulldogs playing group over Lachlan Galvin concerns
Bulldogs football boss Phil Gould made an impromptu visit to Belmore to address Canterbury’s playing group amid fears the mid-season arrival of Lachlan Galvin could derail the club’s premiership aspirations.
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Bulldogs football boss Phil Gould has addressed Canterbury’s playing group amid fears Lachlan Galvin’s mid-season arrival could derail the club’s premiership assault.
This masthead can reveal Gould stopped into Bulldogs training on Wednesday to personally speak to Canterbury players, who were left surprised by the Belmore supremo’s impromptu visit.
Coach Cameron Ciraldo has done a superb job steering Canterbury to the top of the league after 14 rounds but Galvin’s arrival at Belmore has created ructions the settled club can do without.
Galvin’s release from the Tigers has suddenly beefed-up Canterbury’s stocks in the spine, leaving off-contract halfback Toby Sexton and hooker Reed Mahoney on shaky ground at Belmore.
The positional permutations were evident last week when Galvin entered the fray off the bench and scored a try on debut against the Eels, with Mahoney called off the field as Sexton shifted to hooker.
Sexton later admitted he thought Galvin was joking when he came on and told the halfback he was moving to dummy half.
Former Bulldogs premiership-winning playmaker Braith Anasta has questioned whether Galvin’s signing could create division at a Canterbury club well positioned to win their first premiership since 2004.
Mindful of Canterbury’s prime position, Gould stopped into Bulldogs training to personally face the playing group, telling players they are highly valued and praising their commitment under Ciraldo.
Call it a ‘Gus’ charm offensive, but Anasta believes Ciraldo faces a delicate juggling act keeping his key playmakers happy in Canterbury’s run to the finals.
“Reed Mahoney wasn’t happy at all about being taken off,” Anasta said on NRL 360.
“It was visible, and then Sexton’s post-match interview with us, he didn’t even know he was going to move to No. 9 and the new kid on the block (Galvin) told him to go there.
“Honestly, I’d be filthy.
“I love watching them win and I loved watching them play yesterday and I thought they were great and I think they can improve with Galvin.
“But if we’re going to be honest, if I’m Sexton and we’re coming first, I’m the chief playmaker, we’re winning the game then the new kid on the block comes out and says you go to nine, I’m playing seven, you are filthy.”
With Matt Burton away on Origin duty as NSW’s 18th man for Game Two this Wednesday night, Sexton and Galvin will start in the halves in Sunday’s clash against Souths at Accor Stadium.
Sexton remains off-contract and appears headed for the Belmore exits if he can’t secure a regular spot at the Bulldogs scrumbase.
Mahoney, meanwhile, has been given permission to negotiate with rival clubs and could be a foundation signing for the Perth Bears in 2027.
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Originally published as Phil Gould makes impromptu Belmore visit to address Bulldogs playing group over Lachlan Galvin concerns
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