Bulldogs confirm Lachlan Galvin call as Eels drop superstar Dylan Brown
It came on a huge day for NRL team news, with Taylan May named in the Wests Tigers' backline for the first time and Dylan Brown dropped by Parramatta.
But the biggest shock of all came out of Belmore, with regular starting halfback Toby Sexton dropped to NSW Cup to make room for Galvin.
It means Galvin will start alongside Matt Burton for the first time on Saturday against St George Illawarra, one month after the teen arrived from Wests Tigers.
Galvin was dropped from the team to face North Queensland last week, after coming off the bench twice and starting alongside Sexton in Origin-impacted rounds since his arrival.
'There is still a third of the season left,' Canterbury utility Jaeman Salmon said.
'That's plenty of time to build a combination headed into the finals. So as long as we all get around him, he'll be fine.'
Sexton had been part of the Bulldogs' rise to the top of the ladder, but has now been squeezed out by Galvin.
Off contract at the end of the season, Sexton is also set for an English Super League move next year.
'Obviously you check on Toby,' second-rower Jacob Preston said.
'He is a great person who has a team-first mentality. You always feel for your mates but it is rugby league and that's just what it is.
'He was down here today ripping in for the (NSW Cup) side and wants to get better.'
Elsewhere, the Eels have dropped Brown to 18th man for their match against Canberra, with Ryley Smith's return from suspension squeezing out the Newcastle-bound star.
Coach Jason Ryles has made no secret of his desire to plan for the future, with Joash Papalii a potential long-term No.6 and Tallyn da Silva and Smith the hookers.
At the Tigers, May will play his first NRL game since early last year, after impressing with a hat-trick in NSW Cup for the joint-venture.
His return at centre comes after he was handed a lifeline by the Tigers following domestic-violence charges last year while at Penrith.
May had pleaded not guilty to the charges and they were dropped when his wife - whom he was accused of punching - did not show up in court.
He has since spent time in a mental-health facility.
Chad Townsend is the preferred option to partner Sam Walker at the Sydney Roosters with Hugo Savala injured, despite Sandon Smith being named on an extended bench in the squad to face Cronulla.
Penrith have rested Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo for their match against South Sydney, with Dylan Edwards and Brian To'o returning.
Souths have named Lewis Dodd on the bench, while keeping Jack Wighton at five-eighth.
And Manly have opted to keep Tom Trbojevic at centre and Lehi Hopoate at fullback against a Melbourne side who remain without Ryan Papenhuyzen and are yet to decide if Cameron Munster will play.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
Rabbitohs' ‘$2 million mistake' exposes the NRL club's major recruitment issue
The Rabbitohs' signing of Lewis Dodd has been labelled a '$2 million mistake' as he prepares to start at halfback for the first time in the NRL. Dodd was named in the No. 7 jersey for South Sydney's clash with the Sharks on Saturday night. In his four previous NRL games this season, Dodd came off the bench in three games and started at five-eighth in the other. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. Even with his hefty $650,000 salary, Dodd has been regularly overlooked for selection by coach Wayne Bennett, even amid an injury crisis at the club in 2025. NRL 360 co-host Dan Ginnane wondered whether Dodd had been signed by the Rabbitohs solely because he kicked the match-winning field goal for St Helens in the World Club Challenge back in 2023, when they prevailed 13-12 over Penrith. The 23-year-old Dodd is contracted with the Rabbitohs until the end of the 2027 season on a three-year deal. 'Is there a chance that Souths pushed the button when he kicked that field goal in the World Club Challenge, which is really, let's be honest, in our part of the world, it's a glorified exhibition game?' Ginnane asked. 'He kicks a field goal, they win 13-12, is that a $2 million field goal that he kicked?' Panellist Andrew Webster agreed the Dodd signing was a mysterious one. 'It is one of the more bizarre recruitments, really,' Webster added. 'I've heard from people both in the UK and other recruiters here in the NRL that they were surprised that Souths signed him and threw that amount of money at him. 'Look, it's a $2 million mistake. 'I've heard of other Super League clubs being interested in getting him but they want to be offering some pretty heavy coin for Lewis Dodd to want to move away from the $700,000 a year contract he's on.' Host Braith Anasta said the Rabbitohs' recruitment has left a lot to be desired. 'I really think they've got to change a lot about their recruitment, Souths,' Anasta said. 'I think they've got to take a different direction, moving forward. I say this because, you look at their NSW Cup team, they're coming last, their Jersey Flegg second last, their junior competition is nowhere near where it used to be.' Webster believes South Sydney need to add to their stocks in the forwards. 'They need some middle forwards. That's what they've been missing all year. Through injury and form, they haven't had that at all this year, and where they are on the ladder reflects it,' Webster added. Ginnane pointed out that Latrell Mitchell has missed a lot of games for the Rabbitohs since joining the club. 'Latrell plays 14 games a year. It's fact. He's played 85 games in six years at Souths, so he's going to miss 10 games,' Ginnane added. The Rabbitohs are currently missing a staggering number of players, worth over $6 million, in an injury crisis. Mitchell ($1.1 million), Cameron Murray ($1 million), Keaon Koloamatangi ($650,000), Campbell Graham ($650,000), Cody Walker ($600,000), Brandon Smith ($550,000), Davvy Moale ($500,000), Peter Mamouzelos ($300,000), Jamie Humphreys ($250,000), Jayden Sullivan ($200,000), Mikaele Ravalawa ($165,000) and Bayleigh Bentley-Hape ($120,000) are all currently sidelined.
Sydney Morning Herald
4 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Mann on a mission to become oldest Kangaroos debutant
He waited 12 seasons and more than 200 NRL games to make his State of Origin debut, becoming the oldest Queensland rookie since the late, great Arthur Beetson in 1980. Now, after helping the Maroons to a stunning series win, 32-year-old Kurt Mann is on track to belatedly realise another childhood dream by becoming the oldest player to debut for the Kangaroos. Canterbury coach Cameron Ciraldo believed Mann was the best utility player in the NRL when he signed him from Newcastle at the end of the 2023 season. His form since arriving at Belmore has only reaffirmed that opinion, with Ciraldo declaring Mann should 'definitely' be a candidate for Australia's three-Test series against England, which will be the Kangaroos' first Ashes tour in 22 years. 'I think they take 22 players over, and he'd be one of the first I'd choose,' Ciraldo said. If Mann plays during the Ashes series, which kicks at Wembley on October 25, he will become the oldest Kangaroos debutant – breaking a record that dates back 66 years. The only other player to have celebrated his 32nd birthday before first pulling on the green and gold was legendary hardman Billy Wilson, in 1959. If Mann is selected, he will be more than six months older than Wilson was at the time of his debut. Before his Queensland call-up this year, Mann wondered if age would count against him when it came to representative football.
The Age
4 hours ago
- The Age
Mann on a mission to become oldest Kangaroos debutant
He waited 12 seasons and more than 200 NRL games to make his State of Origin debut, becoming the oldest Queensland rookie since the late, great Arthur Beetson in 1980. Now, after helping the Maroons to a stunning series win, 32-year-old Kurt Mann is on track to belatedly realise another childhood dream by becoming the oldest player to debut for the Kangaroos. Canterbury coach Cameron Ciraldo believed Mann was the best utility player in the NRL when he signed him from Newcastle at the end of the 2023 season. His form since arriving at Belmore has only reaffirmed that opinion, with Ciraldo declaring Mann should 'definitely' be a candidate for Australia's three-Test series against England, which will be the Kangaroos' first Ashes tour in 22 years. 'I think they take 22 players over, and he'd be one of the first I'd choose,' Ciraldo said. If Mann plays during the Ashes series, which kicks at Wembley on October 25, he will become the oldest Kangaroos debutant – breaking a record that dates back 66 years. The only other player to have celebrated his 32nd birthday before first pulling on the green and gold was legendary hardman Billy Wilson, in 1959. If Mann is selected, he will be more than six months older than Wilson was at the time of his debut. Before his Queensland call-up this year, Mann wondered if age would count against him when it came to representative football.
