Analysis: Inside every moment of Lachlan Galvin’s Canterbury Bulldogs debut

Canterbury coach Cameron Ciraldo said he had a plan A, B and C for prize recruit Lachlan Galvin when he finally debuted for the club. Turns out, it was not what anyone expected.

Canterbury coach Cameron Ciraldo said he had a Plan A, B and C for prize recruit Lachlan Galvin against Parramatta on Monday afternoon.

Except not many expected one of those to include Galvin to be on the field at the same time as halfback Toby Sexton, the man the former Wests Tigers playmaker is expected to ultimately replace in the No.7 jumper.

Galvin’s arrival at Belmore seemed to signal the end of Sexton’s Canterbury career, but after Monday’s 30-12 win against Parramatta, it may not be over.

When Ciraldo sent Galvin onto the field, after he spent 57 minutes nervously warming the bench at a chilly Accor Stadium, it was hooker Reed Mahoney who made way for the 19-year old.

Lachlan Galvin celebrates his try. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

In a move no one saw coming, Sexton slotted into dummy half so Galvin could get his first taste in the halves alongside five-eighth Matt Burton.

It worked a charm, and immediately silenced those detractors who said his mid-season arrival would destabilise the Bulldogs.

Instead, Galvin’s signature now more than ever looks like the one that can turn the Bulldogs into a genuine title threat, if they weren’t already — something critics believe won’t happen with Sexton at halfback.

But can it happen with Sexton at hooker?

Sexton’s service at ruck was impressive, even more so given he had no clue that Ciraldo would throw him into dummy-half to make way for Galvin.

As for Galvin, any nervous energy he seemed to ooze while waiting for his chance, simply dissipated as soon as he got onto the field to a standing ovation from the almost 60,000-strong crowd.

He wasted no time in calling for the ball, whether it was to run it or be the one who kicked on the last tackle. His support play jagged him a try in the 73rd minute, sending Bulldogs fans, and his teammates, into raptures.

Toby Sexton slotted into hooker. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

But like Sexton, Galvin had trained in multiple positions in the limited training runs he had at Belmore, and he too had no idea how he would be used.

But the occasion, expectation or pressure did not overawe the youngster.

At times, skipper Stephen Crichton could be seen marshalling Galvin in defence, making sure he was positioned in the right spot.

But outside of a stinging hit from Kitione Kautoga, Parramatta did not send too much traffic his way to test just how he would handle himself in a new defensive system.

Galvin finished his 23-minute stint with 17 possessions, three runs for 20 run metres, a tackle bust, a linebreak, three tackles and had four kicks in general play.

While Galvin was supposed to squeeze Sexton out of the starting 17, it looks like his arrival could prematurely end Mahoney’s time in the spine.

Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

There had already been some chatter that Mahoney was fighting to keep his starting spot with the likes of Bailey Hayward preferred at hooker.

Now, Sexton could be the one who replaces Mahoney – who is signed until the end of 2026 but has been granted permission to speak to rivals about an immediate move.

Bulldogs fans will get to see another of Ciraldo’s plans for Galvin next week against South Sydney with five-eighth Matt Burton to miss the clash after he was named 18th man for NSW on Monday night.

This time, fans are likely to get a look at what a Sexton and Galvin halves combination looks like.

THE GALVIN TRACKER

FIRST HALF

11th minute: In his jacket, Galvin joins the rest of the Canterbury bench beginning a short running warm up on the sideline before quickly sitting back down as Mitchell Moses scores.

14th minute: Galvin stands up to get a better view from the bench of Stephen Crichton try-saving tackle Isiah Iongi into touch.

17th minute: Galvin keeps a ball in hand and spins it up into the air while still stuck on the bench.

Galvin warmed the bench during the first half. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

21st minute: Galvin and the bench get up to continue their warm-up as Montoya scores the Dogs second, taking a second run while getting caught behind the celebrating cheerleaders before again sitting down.

24th minute: Hands still in pockets, Galvin jumps up to catch a better view of Addo-Carr making a break down the left hand side for Parramatta and remains up for several sets.

31st minute: Hopoi enters the game as Canterbury’s third substitute for Bailey Hayward, leaving Galvin the only unused bench player thus far.

36th minute: In a joke with Canterbury’s injured/suspended players watching on in the stands, a laughing Galvin brings his jacket tighter to him to gesture he is cold.

37th minute: Warming up still, Galvin takes his third run down the sideline

40th minute: A quick high five shared with Suluka-Fifita on the halftime buzzer before he and the bench walked up to join the Bulldogs circle near halfway. Galvin in the front row of players running into the tunnel for half time.

SECOND HALF

48th minute: Galvin finally takes a seat after staying planted to the spot standing on the bench since the half began. Doesn’t take long before he’s back up again, itching to get involved.

50th minute: Canterbury official with a headset stands and speaks directly with Galvin, as his anticipated entry into the game continues to grow.

54th minute: Chats with Galvin and the official intensify as Galvin begins pacing. He takes his jacket off to reveal the 23 on his back

55th minute: Galvin exchanges a pass with Bailey Hayward and then spins the footy on his finger multiple times

56th minute: Galvin begins tackling warm ups with Hayward

57th minute: Galvin enters the game as Canterbury’s fifth interchange for Reed Mahoney and the crowd begins chanting his name.

Galvin enters the fray

58th minute: Sexton moves to dummy half as Galvin moves into halfback. Galvin gets his first touch at first receiver and passes a short ball to Hayes. Galvin again get a pass to Kiraz who almost goes over in the corner

59th minute: Galvin makes his first tackle helping drive back Sean Russell.

61st minute: Galvin’s first try involvement. At first receiver from Sexton in the middle of the field he engages the line and passes out to Burton on the left, who finds Connor Tracey who finds Kikau on the inside to score.

Galvin celebrates try with Kikau

63rd minute: Galvin at second receiver passes the ball onto Crichton for a run. Then at first receiver goes to Mann. Takes his first kick in blue and white before making a tackle on Addo Carr.

Galvin's first busy set in attack

64th minute: Sexton ducks his head through and almost puts Galvin into a hole. Galvin's attempted pass out the back is smashed by Kitione Kautoga, who gives Galvin a second helping on the ground. The tackle set restarts.

65th minute: Galvin at first receiver goes back on the inside to Kurt Mann, who loses possession playing the ball.

66th minute: Galvin instructs the Canterbury players around the field to set up their attack on Parramatta’s line. He takes his first hit-up for the club right down the middle of the pitch. In the same set Galvin puts up a kick which is narrowly missed by a leaping Crichton and taken by Russell.

68th minute: Galvin runs in to celebrate a Harry Hayes try with his teammates.

70th minute: Puts up a bomb for Kiraz fielded by Addo-Carr.

73rd minute: Chats with Stephen Crichton during a break in play.

73rd minute: Finds Connor Tracey who goes to Kiraz. Galvin, thinking the play is over, turns around to bark orders for the next play, but the ball is popped out late by Kiraz who finds Tracey. Tracey goes to Curran, who finds a bursting Galvin who goes over for his first Bulldogs try.

Galvin scores his first Bulldogs try

75th minute: Puts up another bomb fielded by Iongi.

77th minute: In a pass the baton moment, Toby Sexton passed the ball to Galvin to feed the scrum after a Parramatta error.

78th minute: A few tackles later Galvin as first receiver play a pass out the back to burton.

79th minute: Galvin passes the ball to Hayes for a hit up and then again goes short to Suluka-Fifita. Mitchell Moses goes on report.

80th minute: Galvin now goes to Burton on the right side who puts in a grubber that is dropped by Iongi. Galvin runs to collect the ball and is first receiver out of the scrum who plays to Burton who chips for Canterbury attack but it’s lost on the line by Tracey.

Cameron Ciraldo cheers for Galvin's try

Originally published as Analysis: Inside every moment of Lachlan Galvin’s Canterbury Bulldogs debut