NRL 360 host Braith Anasta has expressed disbelief at Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo’s claim that the media scrutiny surrounding halfback Lachlan Galvin has been exaggerated.
Anasta’s comments came after Ciraldo addressed the media on Thursday, labelling the commentary surrounding the teenage recruit – following his mid-season move from the Tigers – as “ridiculous.”
The Bulldogs coach also criticised the intense scrutiny and heightened attention on Galvin following his performance at five-eighth during the club’s Round 18 clash against the Brisbane Broncos, a game in which the team surrendered an 18–0 halftime lead.
“I don’t know why there’s so much attention on him or why it comes to that because we had a number of players last week who didn’t play the way they wanted to play, and unfortunately Lachie was in the headlines for a lot of that,” Ciraldo said.
MORE: Cameron Ciraldo teases Lachlan Galvin's role
However, his comments were met with open disbelief on NRL 360 that evening, with host Braith Anasta questioning how Ciraldo could be taken aback by the media attention.
“I’m the biggest fan of Cameron Ciraldo but I can’t believe he’s shocked at the attention over this,” Anasta stated.
“What is going on? How are you shocked mate?
“Is he frazzled here? Can he keep it altogether going into the finals.
“Whether he wants to admit it or not, there’s a distraction.”
Fox League’s James Hooper also weighed in on the discussion, arguing that the media attention the 19-year-old has received throughout the season is not only warranted, but to be expected.
“The coverage has been totally fair and balanced,” Hooper said.
“The Dogs are in damage control and in denial if they’re trying to hose the fact that one of the most highly touted and publicised teenagers in the game walks out on the Wests Tigers the way that he does.
“He goes legal against the Tigers, ends up getting a mid-season release to join the club that’s on top of the ladder and forces two players out (Toby Sexton and Reed Mahoney).”