Toby Sexton may be headed for the Super League in 2026, but Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo is adamant the playmaker remains fully committed to the NRL side’s campaign for the rest of the season.
The 23-year-old has signed a deal with French outfit Catalans Dragons but has assured the club his focus won’t waver as the Bulldogs aim to steady their season after back-to-back collapses.
“He came and saw me last night. Told me about it. It’s really good for him and his family. I’m really stoked for him — he has worked really hard,” Ciraldo said after the loss to Brisbane.
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“He came here — he was playing at Tweed Heads a couple of years ago and came down to the Bulldogs for an opportunity. He had to bide his time at the start and then got his opportunity.”
“He’s thinking about how we get better”
Sexton’s looming exit comes at a time when Ciraldo is grappling with a faltering attack and shifting spine. But the coach said the halfback’s professionalism is beyond question.
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“He has done really well and it’s a great opportunity for him over there [Catalans Dragons], but he was really clear that he is not thinking about that right now. He is thinking about how we get better at the back end of the season,” Ciraldo said.
With nine or ten rounds left to play, the Bulldogs will need all hands on deck to address a concerning pattern of late-game fadeouts.
Ciraldo made clear he expects Sexton to play a key role in that recovery.