What changed in two weeks for the Bulldogs to chase Lachlan Galvin

Last month, Canterbury boss Phil Gould went public to rule out any pursuit of wantaway Wests Tigers star Lachlan Galvin. David Riccio reveals the moments that caused their change of heart.

The Bulldogs pursuit of Wests Tigers free agent Lachlan Galvin can be traced back to the first half of a game in Canberra two weeks ago.

Halfbacks wear the performance more than any other player on a footy field.

Which might seem unfair to Canterbury playmaker Toby Sexton, after the Bulldogs climbed off the canvas, from 20-0 nil down against the Raiders, to produce one their greatest comeback wins by piling on 32 unanswered points.

They may have gone on to win the game, but their horror first half against the Raiders in Round 10 convinced the Bulldogs to pursue Lachlan Galvin. Picture: Getty Images

Typically, sports editors want their reporters to file their column from matches as soon as the full-time siren sounds.

Telegraph readers pay for a subscription service that demands immediate insight into a game, so that they can tap on their mobile or PC and receive the latest news on what has just gone down.

It requires sports reporters to write what we call ‘running copy’.

I was working the day the Dogs came back in Canberra, with my first-half notes appearing tone deaf and of little context after Canterbury’s Stephen Crichton held the footy like an apple in the second half and began to run like a track sprinter down the right side of the field.

I didn’t think those first half notes were the story.

Until now.

Buried in the result of that epic game against the Raiders, is the reason why Canterbury forwarded Galvin a contract offer on Friday.

After weeks of denial, the Bulldogs have made a contract offer to Galvin. Picture: Tom Parrish

The offer is believed to be less than the $750,000 per season deal that has been reported.

The second major factor that has changed the Dogs interest from moderate to serious in the past two weeks is that they can get Galvin now.

That major component of the deal was never a consideration for the Dogs because the Wests Tigers had always said they wouldn’t be releasing him until the expiration of his contract at the end of 2026.

The Eels too, have submitted a deal for Galvin to play alongside Mitchell Moses.

Back down in Canberra two weeks ago, the Dogs were swimming against the tide for the opening 40 minutes, spending just 12 tackles (two sets of six) inside the Raiders 20-metre zone.

By comparison, the Raiders had 25 tackles inside the Dogs red zone.

We all look for the YouTube highlights of a halfback carving the opposition.

Yet it’s when their team is scrambling for field position and their forwards are getting bashed, when you can learn more about your team’s halfback.

The Bulldogs loss to the Broncos in round eight is another example of needing your halfback to shift momentum, while last Thursday night, Dolphins rising star Isaiah Katoa schooled Canterbury in how to control a match in atrocious conditions.

At 16-0 nil down to Canberra and with six minutes remaining in the first half, the Bulldogs had managed a rare trip down field to be on the Raiders line in attack.

The end of the set would be just their tenth tackle inside the Green Machine’s red zone.

If not creating points for his side, it was imperative Sexton delivered a play that provided the Dogs with more ball in possession and down the Raiders end.

With the footy in his hands on the fifth tackle, Sexton dribbled a lifeless turnover kick into the awaiting arms of Canberra forward Hudson Young standing between his posts.

“That’s the end of that for the Dogs,” Fox League commentator Dan Ginnane lamented.

Canterbury would get another shot at the Raiders two minutes later, yet wasted it just quickly, on the third tackle.

Shifting the ball from the right to the left, Sexton floated a rainbow pass which landed at the feet of winger Jacob Kiraz, who knocked the ball on.

Bulldogs halfback Toby Sexton came up with some poor plays against the Raiders. Picture: Getty Images

The pass was never on, supported by the Fox cameras that found coach Cameron Ciraldo venting his frustration from the coaches box.

Something clearly changed inside the Dogs dressing rooms at halftime in regards to upping the involvement of utility Bailey Hayward in the second half.

Hayward had 28 possessions to Sexton’s 23 as Canterbury reeled in the scoreboard.

Sexton belongs in the NRL, he’s a solid halfback, is a strong defender, scraps on every play and can push his teammates around the park.

Galvin is a rare talent.

He showed enough in his rookie year last season, without Jarome Luai, that he is capable of not only steering a side, but can elevate a team’s attack, highlighted by his superior try-assist numbers to Luai this season.

For where Canterbury want to go, the pursuit of Galvin is a no-brainer.

Originally published as What changed in two weeks for the Bulldogs to chase Lachlan Galvin