Phil ‘Buzz’ Rothfield: Canterbury’s year of self-destruction detonates with whimpering finals exit

Canterbury’s dramatic fall from premiership contenders to finals failures can be traced to a series of bewildering team changes. Phil Rothfield exposes the decisions that destroyed the Bulldogs’ premiership campaign.

Canterbury farewell Toby Sexton and Reed Mahoney.

Canterbury’s 2025 season will be remembered as the year of self-destruction.

A footy club that was almost coasting on top of the ladder mid-season to a team that capitulated in diabolical circumstances and bombed out of the finals race in straight sets.

O.M.G. What an unmitigated disaster from a team that had genuine premiership hopes mid-year to being whacked 46-26 by the Panthers.

Just one win from their last six outings (against Penrith’s NSW Cup team).

A team that was on top of the ladder at Round 12 while Penrith was on the bottom.

So where do we start to unpack this story?

Canterbury farewell Toby Sexton and Reed Mahoney.

The Dogs went with halfback Toby Sexton for 19 rounds to surge into title contention. Then they sacked him and brought Lachlan Galvin in.

Then Reed Mahoney got shafted for Bailey Hayward. Then Sexton was brought back. Then Matt Burton went to the centres. Then Mahoney was brought back and Hayward demoted.

Such unnecessary spinal surgery on finals eve went horribly wrong. Talk about confusion. Talk about a team lacking in cohesion and confidence. A totally butchered finals campaign.

Their handling of Galvin since his mid-year signing from the Wests Tigers has been poor and regrettable. He is not a halfback.

That was proven on Sunday with a stylish performance in the six jersey where he could play his natural game without the added responsibility of running the side. There were some touches of class with his short passes to Jacob Preston on the right edge.

As much as he’s got talent and potential, the 20-year-old was never ready to be chief playmaker.

Not under the pressure of Gus Gould labelling him the best youngster he’s ever seen and in doing so building fake hope.

No doubt about it he’ll be a better and more confident player next year for the experience.

Coach Cameron Ciraldo has been billed as rugby league’s next super coach. I’m not saying that won’t happen. But he has learned some valuable lessons. That you don’t scratch where it doesn’t itch: ie never change a winning formula just for the sake of it.

It will come back to haunt you.

Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo will be left to pick up the pieces after a disastrous end to the season. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

So these magnificent Panthers are now off to Brisbane for a Sunday afternoon qualifier showdown against the Broncos.

The decision to rest 16 players from round 26 against the Dogs looks to be a masterstroke. They look fresh and as hungry as ever.

It’s going to be such a tough assignment at Suncorp Stadium.

Reece Walsh, Payne Haas and Kotoni Staggs on their home track will have a bit more to offer than the Dogs.

No more harbour cruises, vomit buckets or army camps.

Just one hell of a test of strength against the greatest rugby league side of the modern era. It will be a sensational.

Originally published as Phil ‘Buzz’ Rothfield: Canterbury’s year of self-destruction detonates with whimpering finals exit