Braith Anasta calls for Bulldogs to make tough Connor Tracey call after Lachlan Galvin coup

NRL legend Braith Anasta has delivered a hard truth to Bulldogs fans after the club landed boom teenager Lachlan Galvin.

Braith Anasta has warned that the Lachlan Galvin signing could disrupt the Bulldogs’ momentum and will likely result in a major backline reshuffle.

The 19-year-old’s contract saga has dominated the rugby league news cycle for several weeks before it finally came to a head last week when he signed with the Bulldogs on around $750,000 a season.

Many expected Galvin to make his debut in the Easter Monday clash against the Eels, but the teen phenom has instead been named outside the 17. Although a late change could be on the cards.

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His arrival at Belmore had many speculating he would take the spot of No. 7 Toby Sexton, who has been a revelation in 2025 and is a large reason why the Dogs sit pretty at the top of the NRL ladder.

But Anasta told news.com.au that he believes Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo has other ideas and instead representative centre and current Dogs five-eighth Matt Burton will shift to fullback, with Galvin handed the No. 6 jersey and fullback Connor Tracey playing off the bench or dropped to reserve grade.

“I think Galvin is a 5/8 not a halfback,” Anasta told news.com.au.

“I know many are saying he will play seven but the Galvin signing isn’t a short-term play. Where he fits their system right now is tricky.

“I’m sure the Dogs would have spoken to him openly about where he could potentially play but there isn’t an obvious spot for him to come into. I would think they will most likely give Sexton the next few weeks to see if he continues to knock it out of the park.

“If he does they have two options, play him (Galvin) off the bench for the year or if not I don’t mind the idea of playing Burton at fullback.

Braith Anasta has called for Matt Burton to play fullback, pushing Toby Sexton out of the side. Image: Getty

“It doesn’t mess up the team chemistry, Burton’s kicking game isn’t taken away by being at fullback, and of course that is tough for Tracey, but Burton fits the mould of the modern fullback arguably better.

“Fullbacks these days are runners, who are real ball players and it (playing fullback) would allow him to inject himself into the game as he likes. If it was up to me I’d be doing that before anything else so as to not interrupt the team as much.

“I could see them really having success with Burton at fullback along with Sexton and Galvin in that spine but again a lot of it really rides on Sexton.”

If Galvin is to be a late inclusion, he will likely be met with a mixed reception from fans, coming up against the team he turned down, the Eels. While Tigers fans also feel aggrieved by his decision to exit the club and his return to the joint venture will almost certainly result in him being booed and jeered every time he touches the ball.

That reaction is nothing new to Anasta, who in his playing career had a mixed reaction after he joined the Roosters, due to the fact he was a Rabbitohs junior.

So ahead of Galvin’s possible debut, the player-turned-Fox League pundit passed on some words of wisdom to the teenager.

“My words of wisdom with anything like this is you’ve made your decision now and have to just back yourself,” Anasta told news.com.au.

Canterbury Bulldogs signing Lachlan Galvin.

Lachlan Galvin is pushing to be a late inclusion.

“He (Galvin) sounds like a really switched-on kid with a high footy IQ. All I’d say is block out the noise as it’s really irrelevant.

“What people think, feel all their opinions about you are irrelevant unless they’re the ones closest to you like your family, friends your boss and your coach.

“Because everyone’s always going have an opinion and not everyone’s always going to agree with the decisions that you’re making in life but it doesn’t matter. It really doesn’t matter as long as you know you’re confident in your own ability, confident in the decision you make and you work hard.

“For Galvin, the sky is the limit, the decision to leave has been made, he can put all that behind him and look forward to playing footy.”

The Bulldogs take on the Eels in an epic Kings Birthday blockbuster on Monday. You can catch all the action live on Kayo Sports.