Why the Bulldogs dropped Toby Sexton for Lachlan Galvin

In the case of the Lachlan Galvin signing, you can debate how it happened, why it happened and for how long it may have been happening for. I’ve been there, done that.

But at the very core of the Bulldogs’ decision to sign Galvin was an unrelenting sense of scepticism of their premiership credentials with Sexton in the No.7 jersey. That scepticism was coming from inside the four walls at Belmore.

Top Dog: Cameron Ciraldo oversees Canterbury training.Credit: James Brickwood

Sexton is a popular member of the Canterbury team and has done a commendable job since his arrival last year.

But there’s a level of honesty that Ciraldo has driven in his two-and-a-half seasons at the helm that helps players differentiate between their personal feelings and the professional obligation to the football club they represent.

It’s why when Ciraldo approached several key senior players to discuss Canterbury’s attempts to lure Galvin out of Tiger Town, the players didn’t just give the coach their blessing; they encouraged the move.

Over the past month, Galvin has been adjusting to life as a Bulldog amidst a sea of criticism directed at both him for his contribution – or a perceived lack thereof – and the club for seemingly turning their show into a circus.

Lachlan Galvin brings X-factor to the Bulldogs.Credit: Getty Images

Will he play? Won’t he play? Where will he play? Why isn’t he playing? To be fair, the circus is a mere repercussion befitting the theatrics that saw him granted the desired mid-season release from Benji Marshall’s Tigers.

But Ciraldo has been biding his time. He did not want to expose his young prodigy during his team’s most vulnerable period.

The coach didn’t want to hand Galvin the keys to the castle during a period of the season interrupted by scheduled bye rounds and fixtures that would see the Bulldogs play without several key players due to the demands of State of Origin.

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Ciraldo wanted to make sure when Galvin was given his first genuine opportunity, he was afforded the luxury of having the team’s biggest weapons by his side. Stephen Crichton is back, Kurt Mann is in the team and the Origin period is now firmly in the rearview mirror.

Canterbury’s premiership assault begins against the Dragons at Accor Stadium this weekend. The news cycle is predictable; the decision will be deemed a success or failure by 7.30pm on Saturday night.

Come back to me on Sunday, October 5.