Canterbury’s acquisition of Lachlan Galvin could be the key to either elevating or derailing their most promising shot at a title in over ten years.
For many, it’s a move that could position them as premiership contenders for the next decade.
Andrew Johns is questioning the Bulldogs about how their prized recruit Lachlan Galvin fits into their long-term plans.
Brad Fittler, true to form, is looking at the bigger picture.
Phil Gould has repeatedly likened Galvin to some of the game’s greats, calling him the most gifted teenager he’s seen in his 50 years in rugby league. While many don’t yet view Galvin as a ready-made NRL halfback, Fittler sees significant playmaking potential.“They have the potential to revolutionise the way the game is played,” says Fittler.
Cameron Ciraldo’s rebuild at Belmore has been built around a fast-paced ‘check and release’ defensive approach. While this system has seen the Bulldogs rank poorly in missed tackles (12th this season, 17th last year), it has also resulted in them allowing fewer points—just 18.31 per game—than any other team over the past 18 months.
Lachlan Galvin trains with the Bulldogs. Credit: Canterbury Bulldogs
Watching how the Canterbury coach carefully integrates Galvin into the top team is the newest intriguing chapter in the 19-year-old’s captivating career.
The Bulldogs have secured him on a contract exceeding $2.5 million, clearly eyeing him for the No.7 jersey. However, before finalising the deal, Ciraldo talked with the young prospect about various positions, and no specific role has been guaranteed.
Fittler suggests a scrum setup that leverages Canterbury’s strengths this season—foot speed, small forwards, and quick short passes—with Galvin playing at seven.
He explained on The Sunday Footy Show that since Burton is a left-footer and Galvin a right-footer, Galvin should play on the right side.
Nowadays, locks often play like halves, similar to Bulldogs utility Bailey Hayward.
By positioning a player in the middle to connect with both halves, the dynamics of the game can shift dramatically.
A key change is to stop putting your halfback on the line facing huge defenders and instead position him behind the line so he can move into space as needed. This could be a game-changer. Fittler’s idea echoes the intense defense Ciraldo built for Ivan Cleary at Penrith and mirrors the Panthers’ praise of Isaah Yeo as the best ball-playing lock.
Off the air, the former NSW coach elaborates.
Canterbury’s lighter forwards—Hayward, Kurt Mann, Jaemon Salmon, and Josh Curran—create a continuous, dynamic threat with their ball-playing skills. This allows the Bulldogs to position themselves aggressively near the advantage line using many quick, agile players, largely abandoning the extended, slow-building plays common in today’s gameFittler suggests Galvin might end up playing a role similar to how Allan Langer, Ricky Stuart, and Greg Alexander did—mostly off the ball, reserved for attacking plays, until his 190cm frame develops further.
Meanwhile, Ciraldo is still figuring out where the former Tiger, now Bulldog, will fit into the 17-man squad for the upcoming game against Parramatta on Monday.
No decisions will be made until the coach observes Galvin training with the team this week, but dropping Toby Sexton—who has been more than adequate as the game-managing No.7—would be a bold move.
Sexton is expected to eventually move on and secure a contract elsewhere in the NRL next season.
The safest option appears to be bringing Galvin off the bench alongside Hayward against the Eels, avoiding the problems of playing two undersized utility players that other teams might face. After all, Canterbury thrives on having multiple versatile players.
Regarding Galvin’s chances at halfback, figures like Andrew and Matty Johns are skeptical, and even Cooper Cronk—a utility who became a champion No.7 through hard work and intelligence—hashis doubts.
What the teenage talent does possess is a true halfback’s instinctive desire to stay involved in the action.
Over his 18 months in first grade, Galvin has averaged about 52 touches per game—more than any other five-eighth in that time and only slightly behind a few primary halfbacks like Nathan Cleary, Isaiya Katoa, and Nicho Hynes.
