Buzz: Why Lachlan Galvin’s likely move to Bulldogs has potential to create unrest among players
From position shifts to players being moved on entirely, Lachlan Galvin’s likely move to the Bulldogs has the potential for huge effect on the squad, which makes Phil Gould’s comments all the more confusing, writes PHIL ROTHFIELD.
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The likely signing of boom five-eighth Lachlan Galvin from the Wests Tigers and the arrival of front-rower Leo Thompson from the Newcastle Knights has the potential to create unrest through the Canterbury Bulldogs player ranks.
Especially while their general manager of football Phil Gould has been so misleading and so all over the shop with his roster planning and comments that fans can’t understand, let alone the players.
He tells the world: “We’re not thinking about Lachlan Galvin. We’re not going to get into a discussion about Lachlan Galvin. He’s not on our radar. We’ve got a different program going at the moment.”
Now he’s done a total backflip that could have a huge effect on the rest of the squad.
Already we’re hearing fullback Connor Tracey will have to make way for Galvin. Matt Burton will move to Tracey’s fullback spot to accommodate Galvin at five-eighth.
Although, this has been denied by coach Cameron Ciraldo.
We know that halfback Toby Sexton still has no offer for next year.
Then you’ve got Bailey Hayward, Josh Curran, Reed Mahoney, Sam Hughes and Viliame Kikau, who are free to negotiate with rival clubs from November.
Where does the money now come from for the obvious upgrade that Hayward and others are entitled to?
Does it mean they’ll have to move on Mahoney? Is his job in doubt like Tracey and Sexton?
These are guys who have taken the Bulldogs to the top of the ladder.
The values of most Bulldogs players have significantly increased over the last two seasons, especially this year on the back of nine wins from 11 games to be leading the competition.
Players on $350,000 to $400,000 like a Jacob Preston or a Max King are now worth much more.
King is now an Origin front-rower and Preston would have been in the Blues’ 17, but for his suspension.
Gus has been telling us for a couple of years that the Bulldogs future is all about “building from within.”
The club has spent a fortune on their junior league pathways to build an impressive pool of talent.
Then they go out and buy Thompson and Galvin. Work that out.
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Originally published as Buzz: Why Lachlan Galvin’s likely move to Bulldogs has potential to create unrest among players
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