Canterbury Bulldogs supremos, Phil Gould and Cameron Ciraldo, have a huge decision to make in the coming days surrounding the future of Bulldogs number seven, Toby Sexton.
As reported over the weekend, Sexton, 24, has been actively shopped to the Wests Tigers in the lead-up to the June 30 NRL transfer deadline.
This comes in stark contrast to comments just last month from Gould who suggested reports that Toby Sexton was on his way out of the club were 'rubbish'.
Sexton currently finds himself trapped in a three-way contest for two halves spots with NSW State of Origin representative, Matt Burton, and mid-season Tigers signing, Lachlan Galvin.
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Sexton's former club, the Gold Coast Titans, is also said to have shown interest should the ladder-topping Bulldogs agree to release their number seven early.
Question is, will they—and perhaps even more importantly, should they?
Why the Bulldogs should keep Sexton for 2025
1. This one is pretty simple. Sexton has a contract until the end of the 2025 NRL season. Enough said.
2. With 11 wins from 13 games in 2025, the Bulldogs are sitting on top of the NRL table—thanks in no small part to the guile and on-field organisation of Sexton. Why change something that isn't broken?
3. It only takes one key player injury in the next two months and the Bulldogs season could look decidedly different. They may be very glad they still have someone of Sexton's calibre and experience around.
Why the Bulldogs should set Sexton free
1. Quite simply, because it’s the right thing to do—especially for a player who came in at a difficult time for Canterbury mid-way through the 2023 season and his given two years of unwavering service to the Bulldogs faithful. If he wants to leave in the quest for game time, the club shouldn't stand in his way.
2. Sexton's departure would immediately ease the current ‘who will play/who misses out’ rumours that threaten to become an ongoing distraction for Ciraldo’s squad in the run-in to the 2025 NRL finals.
3. Backing up Lachlan Galvin and Matt Burton, the Doggies already have solid halves cover with recently resigned Scottish international, Bailey Hayward, and another outstanding prospect quickly coming through the grades, NSW U19 captain, Mitchell Woods.
Whatever happens, the clock is ticking.
The Bulldogs and Sexton's management have until next Monday, June 30, to negotiate a release for the remainder of the 2025 NRL season.