Canterbury Bulldogs’ spine puzzle: who stays, who goes, who plays where?

Lachlan Galvin’s debut was certainly a hit, but it left many questions unanswered. FATIMA KDOUH analyses where the logjam of playmaking talent fits at Belmore.

Canterbury forward Jacob Preston has insisted Reed Mahoney is happy at Belmore despite footage emerging of the hooker cutting a dejected figure in a victorious Bulldogs sheds on Monday night.

Mahoney is facing an uncertain future at Belmore after the 27-year old was granted permission to speak with rival clubs despite being signed until the end of 2026.

But it’s his immediate playing future in the NRL side that now appears to be under duress.

Mahoney, rather than halfback Toby Sexton was taken from the field, for Lachlan Galvin to make his club debut at first receiver in Monday’s win over Parramatta.

The move even surprised Sexton at the time and also left Mahoney in a sombre mood after the match.

But the hooker showed no lingering signs of that disappointment at Wednesday’s training session at Belmore Oval as coach Cameron Ciraldo put his troops through their paces ahead of Sunday’s clash against South Sydney.

“Reed is not unhappy, definitely not,” Preston said.

“Reed has had a massive influence on me since I got to the club. He was one of the senior boys and he still is now. We all love Reed. I love taking the field with him, we love him.

“We’ve all seen how Reed plays, he is always working hard for his teammates and he is always doing the extra stuff. He’s awesome, mate.”

While Sexton’s move into dummy-half worked against the Eels, many believe it was nothing more than a cameo and not viable into the future.

That still does not guarantee Mahoney’s place at dummy-half with the versatile, and talented, Bailey Hayward mooted for a role at hooker.

With five-eighth Matt Burton unavailable due to Origin duties, Galvin has been named to start in the No.6 jumper this week alongside Toby Sexton at halfback – the man who was supposed to be the biggest loser in the wake of Galvin’s arrival.

Galvin was signed on a three-and-a-half-year deal to play at halfback leaving the unsigned Sexton on the outer.

There is a view Galvin is a natural five-eighth, which could not only have an impact on the club’s decision to re-sign Sexton at halfback beyond this season but Burton’s positional future at Belmore.

Reed Mahoney posed a dejected figure in the sheds after Canterbury's win against the Eels. Picture: Fox League

If Galvin is ultimately preferred at five-eighth, Burton’s time in the halves could be all-but over, given his strengths lie in his running game rather than game management and organisational skills.

It leaves Burton, who is signed until 2027, as an option at centre – where he won a premiership at Penrith. Or even as an option at lock forward, where his big frame and playmaking ability are suited.

“I’d back Burto to do a job anywhere, he is that talented. But we’ll just wait and see, I’ll leave that to him and Ciro (Ciraldo),” Preston said.

Lachlan Galvin’s Bulldogs arrival is set to force a reshuffle. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Then there is prodigious rookie halfback Mitchell Woods, who will add another piece to Canterbury’s positional puzzle.

Woods, 19, made his NSW Cup debut on Monday and while his NRL debut will not be rushed, the highly-touted teen was viewed as the club’s long-term halfback before Galvin arrived at Belmore to play the exact same role.

But that won’t stop the talented duo from forming a long-term halves combination once Woods debuts, given Galvin’s competence in the No.6 jumper.

Woods could also have a future in the halves alongside five-eighth Burton if Ciraldo opts to keep Burton in the No.6 jumper.

That leaves the door open for Galvin to shift into the pack as a lock or edge forward, a move many believe – including those at Galvin’s former club the Wests Tigers, will be his eventual position.