Toby Sexton set to reject NRL rivals, re-sign with Canterbury Bulldogs

After months of speculation over his NRL future, Toby Sexton is poised to reject interest from rival clubs and sign a $1 million-plus extension at the Bulldogs.

Rejuvenated Canterbury halfback Toby Sexton will reject interest from two NRL rivals and ink a $1 million-plus extension in his burning desire to deliver a premiership to the Bulldogs.

This masthead can reveal Sexton’s management will meet with Bulldogs football boss Phil Gould for further talks on a new deal ahead of Thursday night’s Anzac blockbuster against the Broncos.

Canterbury coach Cameron Ciraldo says he has no plans to lose former Titans discard Sexton, who has mirrored his side’s epic renaissance by firing the unbeaten Dogs of War to the top of the league.

Toby Sexton is set to re-sign with the Bulldogs on a two or three-year extension. Picture: Getty Images

Ruthlessly discarded by the Titans, Sexton was thrown a lifeline by the Bulldogs midway through 2023 and he has flourished under the new regime of Ciraldo and Gould.

Sexton goes into the round 8 showdown at Suncorp Stadium off-contract at season’s end and there were fears for his future at Belmore after the Bulldogs were linked with boom Wests Tigers playmaker Lachlan Galvin.

But the Bulldogs plan to formalise a two or three-year extension for the 24-year-old, who has forged a handy scrumbase alliance with classy five-eighth Matt Burton.

Sexton’s manager Tas Bartlett confirmed Sexton is keen for another term at Belmore as the cool-headed halfback looks to break the Bulldogs’ 21-year premiership drought.

“We’ve got interest from a couple of clubs, but our priority is getting a deal done with the Bulldogs,” said Bartlett of PSM.

Toby Sexton was discarded by the Titans but has flourished at the Bulldogs since arriving midway through 2023. Picture: Getty Images

“He is loving it at the family club.

“The Bulldogs threw him a lifeline and he appreciates what the club has done for him.

“We’ve had plenty of positive talks and we’re working out what his correct value is.

“Phil Gould has been very honest and transparent and he doesn’t want to short-change Toby.

“I will catch up with Phil in the next week or so to thrash out an extension.”

Sexton was a junior sensation at Gold Coast school Palm Beach Currumbin and was so highly rated he once partnered Roosters whizkid Sam Walker in the halves for the Australian Schoolboys in 2019.

But after being identified as a franchise player at the Titans, the Gold Coast suddenly lost faith in Sexton, cutting him after just 24 games as an NRL shot-caller.

Plucked from the NRL scrapheap by the Bulldogs, Sexton initially had to bide his time in the NSW Cup, but played a handy role in Canterbury’s charge to the NRL finals last year before continuing his eye-catching form this season.

Sexton ran for 125 metres in Canterbury’s 20-0 rout of Newcastle in round five and is averaging 472 kicking metres per game, putting pressure on the opposition with his boot.

Ciraldo praised Sexton’s team-first mentality in the Bulldogs’ best start to a season in 87 years.

Toby Sexton blew the Knights off the park with his kicking game in Round 5. Picture: NRL Imagery

“Currently Toby is off-contract and he hasn’t once ever put himself before the team,” the Canterbury coach said.

“He’s been a really big character in the way we’ve turned around our culture and our connectivity.

“He’s played just over 50 games now, so he’s starting to feel more and more like he belongs in the NRL and I’m starting to see that in bits and pieces of his play.

“Toby’s got a really good energy around the group, he’s a really popular member of the team

“He’s always looking to get better and he’s coming in every day and works really hard with the coaches.

“’Gus’ (Gould) and his manager are in constant conversations (about a new deal), but Toby’s only job right now is to focus on getting better every week and my job is to help him do that.”

Bartlett is adamant Sexton has the composure and game management to steer the Bulldogs to their first title since 2004.

“Toby is a wonderful clubman,” he said.

“He went through some tough times at the Titans but he’s really enjoyed the change at the Dogs and he’s been patient in waiting for his opportunity.

“He will be a great retention for the Bulldogs. He is playing great football and he is only going to get better. He suits the way the Dogs play. He is tough, a real competitor and physical in defence, so he is everything they need at the moment.

“The team is connected, he feels connected and he wants to remain a Dog as long as he can.”

DOGS SAY NO TO GALVIN, PUT FAITH IN WOODS

—Fatima Kdouh

Canterbury star Toby Sexton wants to be a Bulldog in 2026 but coach Cameron Ciraldo is making the halfback earn his contract extension with the Belmore club.

Bulldogs general manager Phil Gould ruled the club out of the race to sign besieged Tigers gun Lachlan Galvin, turning attention to the future Sexton.

With Sexton still unsigned beyond this season, the Bulldogs were briefly linked to outgoing Manly skipper Daly Cherry-Evans before the club opted out of pursuing the veteran Sea Eagles halfback.

The Bulldogs are also putting their faith in the club’s crops of rising halves, including the likes of Cassius Tia, Joseph O’Neill and Mitchell Woods, who is viewed as the future in the No. 7 jumper, after Sexton.

Mitchell Woods representing New South Wales Under 19s against Queensland Under 19s. Picture: NRL Imagery

Tia made an immediate impression in his first ever NRL trial match earlier this year with his silky ball playing skills and kicking game.

The Auckland-born youngster was a key cog in Canterbury’s second-straight Jersey Flegg (under 21’s) title win in 2024 before being elevated into the NSW Cup outfit this year.

CassiusTiaGrand Final - Sunday 29th SeptemberCommBank Stadium, SydneyNSWRL Jersey FleggCanterbury v CronullaPicture Warren Gannon Photography

The versatile Tia has been playing at centre in NSW Cup with Drew Hutchison and Joseph O’Neill lining up in the halves.

O’Neill has cemented the no.7 jumper in NSW Cup this year and has been rising the Canterbury’s junior ranks, where he guided the Bulldogs to a Flegg premiership in 2023.

The club has the highest hopes for prodigious playmaker Woods, who knocked back both the AFL and rugby union to sign a top 30 with the Belmore club until the end of 2027.

After training with the NRL side in the preseason, Woods missed both trials with a hamstring injury but will likely continue his development in Jersey Flegg this year.

MitchellWoods playing junior representative football for Canterbury. Picture: Warren Gannon Photography

Woods starred for the Blues in last year’s under 19’s State of Origin win only amping up the hype surrounding the youngster.

While Ciraldo is unlikely to rush the rookie into the NRL side, Woods will play a key role in the club’s future plans in the halves.

The uncertainty around who will wear the No. 7 jumper for the Bulldogs in 2026 has been a source of continued speculation.

Toby Sexton will need to earn his contract extension at the Bulldogs. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Gould has ruled out signing Galvin for the Bulldogs. Picture: Supplied

The club has opened contract talks with Sexton but the parties are yet to agree to a new deal with Ciraldo revealing he is still looking for improvement in the halfback’s game.

“Not that I’m aware of,” Ciraldo said when asked if there had been any developments on Sexton’s future.

“Toby’s done a good job. The big parts of his game, he’s done really well but there are some areas we want to see him improve as well and he is really well aware of that.

“He has handled this period really well as a character, the same as what he did last year when he wasn’t in the team. He was so team first and worried about the team.

“He has been doing that this year as well. Whenever he is doing that, and improving every week then those other things will come.

Sexton has not only cemented his spot at halfback, after falling behind Drew Hutchison in the halves pecking order early last season, the 24-year old has emerged as a key cog in Ciraldo’s spine in 2025.

He steered the side to three-straight wins while halves partner Matt Burton was sidelined with a knee injury.

“I think the extra responsibility is really good for him,” Ciraldo said.

“But I think Bailey Hayward came in and did a really good job helping as well and showed that he is another option in the halves if we do have those (injury) scenarios.”

Bulldogs’ coach Cameron Ciraldo is still looking for improvement in Sexton’s game. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Sexton is hoping Canterbury’s unbeaten run and rise as a genuine title contender will help him secure a new deal at the club.

“I love the Dogs but it is up to my manager to sort that out. I love the way we’re going at the moment, and I love this team and the coaching staff and everyone involved,” Sexton said.

While Ciraldo admitted to looking at the possibility of bringing Galvin to Belmore, the coach says that as a development club he is committed to promoting from within — across all positions not just in the halves.

“When good players (like Galvin) come on the market you have to have those conversations and look at what’s best for the club and make decisions in the best interest of the club,” Ciraldo said.

“We can’t talk to him for another seven months anyway. So Gus thought (it was best) to shut down the speculation and we’ll get on with what we are doing.”

Harry Hayes was named to take on Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night after the rising forward missed last weekend’s clash against South Sydney with an ankle injury.

But Ciraldo revealed the 22-year-old will have to get through Captain’s Run on Wednesday before getting the green light to return. If Hayes is ruled out, Daniel Suluka-Fifita will replace him on the bench.

Originally published as Toby Sexton set to reject NRL rivals, re-sign with Canterbury Bulldogs