Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo is facing a major selection conundrum following the standout performance of young gun Lachlan Galvin in the club’s recent 24-18 win over South Sydney.
With star playmaker Matt Burton set to return after the Round 16 bye, Ciraldo must now navigate how to keep Galvin in the starting side while managing the roles of fellow halves Toby Sexton and hooker Reed Mahoney.
Galvin’s impact has been impossible to ignore, not only with the ball but through his relentless off-the-ball work and the threat he provides on both sides of the ruck.
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Sexton, too, delivered a strong showing against the Rabbitohs, further complicating the playmaking puzzle. Adding to Ciraldo’s challenge is the fact that both Sexton and Mahoney are unlikely to remain with the Bulldogs beyond this season, making continuity and cohesion paramount for the club’s finals push.
Mahoney’s brief departure and swift return late in the match raised eyebrows, particularly as Souths closed the gap through a Tyrone Munro try. Nonetheless, Ciraldo has proven capable of managing squad dynamics, but with the Penrith Panthers looming in Round 17, he faces the unenviable task of keeping his spine selections both effective and harmonious.
Meanwhile, Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf has drawn praise for turning around the club’s early-season slump. With 158 points scored in their last three games, the Dolphins have surged into form, driven by the development of teenage halfback Isaiya Katoa.
Legendary figures like Mal Meninga and Cooper Cronk have applauded the young playmaker’s maturity and defensive focus, underscoring the transformation under Woolf’s leadership.
With finals aspirations heating up, the Bulldogs and Dolphins represent two of the NRL’s most intriguing storylines heading into the business end of the season.
