Lachlan Galvin’s Bulldogs career has not started without controversy, with well-publicised questions surrounding his signing and the initial juggling act between coach Cameron Ciraldo’s starting halves and Galvin’s bench role which has been front of news for months.
Heading into Round 19, the Bulldogs had lost two games in a row, leaving the one-time ladder leaders staring at the edge of the top four, with pressure mounting on Galvin’s signing and how the Bulldogs were using him.
It all came to a head when, on game day, Galvin was omitted from the squad, with forward Kurtis Morrin replacing him on the bench — a clear sign the Bulldogs had made a decision on their halves combination moving forward.
The move appeared to immediately yield results, with the Bulldogs halting their losing streak in a hard-fought 12–8 win in Townsville against the Cowboys.
MORE: Rabbitohs star ruled out for season
In somewhat spectacular fashion, however, the Bulldogs have now made another backflip, and as reported by CODE Sports, will rush Galvin back into the team as a starting half — the first time he’s been named to start in the halves outside of rounds impacted by Origin.
It marks a stunning turn of events after Galvin had a night to forget in Round 18, when he started in the halves due to captain Stephen Crichton being away in Origin camp, moving Matt Burton to the centres for one game.
After being left out entirely in Round 19, Galvin has now earned a recall and will start in the halves in Round 20 — a clear show of faith from coach Cameron Ciraldo and his staff.
It’s reported that Galvin will replace Toby Sexton to partner Matt Burton in the halves, though whether Sexton remains in the 17 or is dropped altogether remains a key point of conjecture.
Whether this is a permanent move or a short-term reshuffle remains to be seen, but it gives Galvin a valuable opportunity to begin his long-term role at the Bulldogs — with both the club and fans likely hoping it can help spark their at-times stuttering attack back into rhythm.
For now, what’s clear is that Canterbury desperately need to establish some stability in their halves combination, with only eight rounds remaining before finals football begins.
Tough decisions are looming at Belmore, and this could be the first indication that the Bulldogs have finally made their call on who they see steering the team forward, after weeks of juggling three playmakers — particularly with Sexton set to leave the club at season’s end.
A week is a long time in rugby league, and few would have seen this change coming.
Whether it proves to be a moment of panic or a coaching masterstroke will depend entirely on what unfolds on the field this Sunday against the St George Illawarra Dragons — and in the crucial weeks that follow.