Bulldogs playmaker thought Galvin was ‘joking' when told he was being punted
Bulldogs halfback Toby Sexton has revealed he thought new recruit Lachlan Galvin was joking when he came on for his debut on Sunday and told the No. 7 to go play hooker.
Nobody knew just how Galvin would be used off the bench in his first game for Canterbury, including the players themselves.
The 19-year-old warmed the bench for 57 minutes thinking he was likely coming on at lock or centre, but when the moment arrived it was in the halves - his preferred position.
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 >
Galvin came on and Sexton, who admits he has 'no idea' the long-term plan for positions, was told to move into dummyhalf with Reed Mahoney going off.
'He came on and said play hooker and I thought he was joking for a second and he goes 'Nah you're actually playing hooker' and I thought oh righto this will be good,' Sexton said on Fox League.
'Whatever is my role in the team, the coach is going to decide that and I just have to play to the best of my ability. We've got lots of strike in the team and they're good headaches for the coach to have.
Galvin said he still has 'no clue' what position he'll be playing moving forward under coach Cameron Ciraldo.
'I thought I was coming on at lock or centre, I didn't know and then Ciro told me go into the halves so whatever Ciro wants and the boys need, I'll do it,' Galvin said on Fox League.
'If we keep winning like that I'll do anything.'
Ciraldo said he had a number of possible plans to get Galvin into the game, but halfback wasn't the number one idea. He also revealed that his original intention last week was to have Galvin play in NSW Cup, rather than the King's Birthday blockbuster.
'We had a couple of plans, but no, that wasn't the plan (to play halfback). We had a couple of different plans there,' Ciraldo said.
'It's been a really hard week to get his head around everything.
'On Tuesday, when I named the team, he wasn't in the team. I thought he would play NSW Cup and he'll just come through there and learn our systems but every training session he did, he got better. He understood our systems better and by the end of the week, it was clear that we needed to have him in the team and he could help us win the game.
'Credit to him and how he went about his training during the week and I thought he did great when he got on there.
Ciraldo was assured that the 19-year-old's best position was in the halves.
'He plays in the halves. That's his preferred position,' Ciraldo said.
'When we looked at bringing him in immediately we probably thought he can fill a number of positions, and he might be able to do that, but he's predominantly a half and he did a great job tonight.
'The learning is not over. He's been here for a week. He's still got a lot to learn, but today it was a great start for him.'
Sexton is still without a contract for next season and admitted the uncertainty around his future, which was only amplified with the arrival of Galvin, has played on his mind at times this season.
'Yeah it obviously has its moments but I have a great playing group and staff here and coming to training every day is so enjoyable and it's pretty cliche but I'm just trying to control what I can control,' Sexton said.
'Hopefully that (contract) will get sorted sooner rather than later but it was another good win tonight.
'It's obviously been a few weird weeks with Lachie coming to the club but I thought the moment he came in, all the pressure went away and I could just focus on footy.
'At the end of the day he's a great kid and from day dot he just wants to learn and get better and he's very young. He's fit in really well and I don't feel the pressure, I just need to play footy and if I do that well the rest is out of my control.'
Galvin said he had moved on from the drama surrounding his departure from the Tigers and paid tribute to his new teammates and fans.
'I just want to play footy. I shut that out. That's all over now and that's all in the past,' he said.
'That's all in the past now. I just want to play footy and I was smiling and enjoying it out there today. That's all I really want to do and with these bunch of boys, it's quite amazing and the fans got right behind us tonight. It was really cool.
'As you can see when I scored, they all jumped over me. They've been so supportive, they've got behind me.
'Just to get the win with all these boys that have been so good to me, I love every minute of it. The club is building into something really special here and I love being a part of it.'
Bulldogs No. 6 Matt Burton played in the halves alongside both Sexton and Galvin on Sunday and said the dynamic worked with all three of them on the field.
'I thought it was good, (Galvin) came on and added a lot of energy there through the middle and took them on,' Burton said.
'He'll only get better as he gets older and I thought he was great on debut tonight and jagged a try but I thought Sexton was really good in the middle as well.
'We didn't train too much (Galvin) to be honest, he sort of filled in a few spots during the week but we didn't know where he was going to come on.
'I thought he did a great job to handle that and has obviously been through a bit, he's done well tonight. There's been a lot of noise around him so it's good for him to come out here, have some fun and play footy.
'(But) Sexton) has been outstanding for us all year and the way he goes about his business is second to none and I thought he played really well in the first half, got us in a good position and set us up for the second half.'
Canterbury captain Stephen Crichton added: 'There's a long way to go with him, tonight was just a little snippet of how good he can be, I'm very proud he's in the Bulldogs colours now, he's going to be a massive asset to our team.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Australian
35 minutes ago
- The Australian
Ownership group split over Front Page's bid for Stradbroke glory
The Matt Dale-trained Front Page scored a ticket into the $3m Stradbroke with his thrilling victory in last Saturday's Group 2 Moreton Cup (1200m) at Eagle Farm. Some of the owners were concerned about the short back-up and the extra 200m that Front Page would have to run in a fast-paced Group 1 at Eagle Farm on Saturday. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! However, 55 per cent of the owners voted to push on and pay the $90,000 late entry fee to compete for the $1.8m winner's cheque, with local jockey Damien Thornton to ride the eight-year-old this weekend. 'I voted no,' said 73-year-old Geoff Duryea, who bred and trained Front Page until handing the reins to Dale in mid-2023. 'Our vision was originally to take him up there (to Brisbane), run him in that big race (the Moreton Cup), give him a month off and then head towards the Kosciuszko again. 'We got outvoted but that's the way it goes.' Duryea said it was the first time the ownership group had been split over the direction of Front Page, which had stress fracture problems as a youngster. 'We've gone six years without a disagreement because he had a fair few issues when he was young so we've had to nurse him a fair bit before he matured properly,' Duryea said. 'It's the first time we've ever had a vote on where he's going to run. 'He's more than repaid us for our patience. I hope like hell he puts his boof-head out and wins the Stradbroke.' READ: * Read: Mates will be shaken and stirred if Straddie horse wins at $201 The owners had to pay a $90,000 late entry fee to get Front Page into the Stradbroke, where Thornton will ride at 52.5kg. 'He's absolutely eating everything up every feed, he's bright, happy and very sound,' trainer Matt Dale said on Wednesday. 'The decision was made based on that and a favourable weather forecast.' But not everyone was on board to race the winner of more than $3.5m in prizemoney in Queensland's premier race. 'I was a 'no',' part-owner and Geoff's son Paul Duryea said. 'The seven-day backup, which we've never done with him, and the fact that the Stradbroke was never on the radar. The 1400m on a quick back-up in a Group 1 (was another concern). 'Throughout his whole life we've always put him first, hence why he's only had 29 starts. 'It's never been about the money for us, it's always been about trying to find the right race that we think he can win. 'Everyone's super proud of what he's done. What he's done for us has been huge, it's unbelievable.' Horse Racing In the wake of trainer James Cummings' flagged departure to Hong Kong, Godolphin has confirmed 'interested parties' are inquiring about its Sydney facilities … but Winx's part-owner isn't one of them. Horse Racing Big-time owner Rupert Legh has won three Stradbrokes but says he won't be backing his favourite War Machine at the short odds on offer in the 2025 edition of Queensland's greatest race.
News.com.au
43 minutes ago
- News.com.au
AFLW introduces future pick trading, pre-season draft, as part of 2025 rule changes
AFLW clubs will soon be able to trade future picks as part of the evolution of player movement ticked off by the AFL Commission on Wednesday. Following consultation with clubs, a pre-season draft will also be introduced, along with a handful of rule changes and interpretations. Previously, AFLW clubs have been handicapped by the ability to only trade picks in the upcoming draft. Just last year, Paige Scott was forced to delist themselves and nominate for the draft when the forward's trade from Essendon to Richmond fell through. Now, with the introduction of future pick trading, clubs will have the flexibility to trade their future first round selection or their future second round selection, but not both. Clubs must also ensure they maintain a presence in the first round for at least two years across a five-year period, unless otherwise approved, to aid list regeneration. Board approval will also be required in the exchange of first round picks. A pre-season draft will also replace the supplementary selection period next year, giving clubs the chance to cover list gaps from the off-season. 'Following the transition to a National Draft last season, these changes are further recognition of the greater sophistication that is being established in the AFLW competition and specifically within player movement,' AFL Executive General Manager of Football Operations Laura Kane said. 'Introducing future pick trading means creating more trade collateral and levers for clubs to pull, giving them greater ability to make list management decisions and in turn, more opportunity for player movement.' The AFL Commission has also approved one rule change aimed at reducing congestion. Where a stoppage occurs within 10m of the boundary between the 50m arcs, the ball up will occur 10m inside the boundary. 'Data shows us that secondary stoppage rates are higher when the ball up is close to the boundary and scoring rates are lower, so the introduction of the on-field rule change is aimed at opening up space around stoppages close to the boundary line where the stoppage is denser,' Kane said. In further changes aimed at reducing density, three further umpiring interpretations will be introduced in 2025: • Ruck Nomination: Once a ruck nomination has been received from each team, the umpire will restart play, regardless of whether the nominated players are in the area to contest the ball up or throw in. • No Genuine Attempt: Umpires will be stricter on players who do not make a genuine attempt to dispose of the ball when tackled legally with no prior opportunity. • Dive/Drag: Umpires will be stricter on players who dive on or drag the ball in and do not immediately knock the ball clear when tackled legally.
News.com.au
43 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Aussie quicks enact revenge in World Test Championship final as tricky Lord's wicket causes major headaches
Kagiso Rabada added his name to the Lord's Honours Board for a second time before Australia's world-class pace attack dismantled the South African top order as Pat Cummins' men seized control of the World Test Championship final. Fourteen wickets fell as the bowlers dominated an eventful opening day at the Home of Cricket, with South Africa reeling at 4-43 after Starc, Cummins and Josh Hazlewood wreaked havoc late in the evening session. The Proteas are trailing by 169 runs at stumps with skipper Temba Bavuma (3*) and fellow batter David Bedingham (8*) unbeaten in the middle with plenty to do. Earlier, the reigning champions were bowled out for 212 after Bavuma elected to bowl first in hopes of exposing the opposition's unsettled top order under grey skies, a brave call that quickly paid dividends when Australia collapsed to 4-67. Rabada claimed 5-51 from 15.4 overs, his 17th five-wicket haul in Tests, while Australian vice-captain Steve Smith and all-rounder Beau Webster notched fifties in a 79-run partnership to rebuild the innings. Having recently served a one-month suspension for recreational drug use, Rabada tormented Australia's top order in a probing opening spell of 2-9 from six overs, relentlessly threatening off stump with the shiny, wobbly Dukes. Watch Kagiso Rabada's two early wickets in the video player at the top of the page. The watchful Usman Khawaja survived 30 minutes in challenging conditions without troubling the scorers before departing for a 20-ball duck, edging towards the slips cordon where David Bedingham swallowed a regulation chance. Three deliveries later, Rabada accounted for the returning Cameron Green, batting at No. 3 for the first time in Tests, with a fuller delivery that kissed the outside edge and settled in Aiden Markram's hands at second slip. Newborn opener Marnus Labuschagne, potentially fighting for his Test career, added 30 for the third wicket alongside Smith before falling victim to Jansen for 17, fending in the channel and tickling behind to gloveman Kyle Verreynne. On what proved the final delivery before lunch, the dangerous Travis Head strangled a wayward delivery from Jansen down the leg side, with Verreynne holding onto a one-handed chance low to his right. The South Australian's head dropped in disbelief before he begrudgingly trudged off. As the clouds parted and the sun emerged after the break, Smith launched into a counterattack and brought up his half-century in 76 deliveries with a full-blooded cut stroke. South Africa's bowlers were considerably less disciplined in the afternoon session, often dropping short and angling down the leg side, while Wiaan Mulder was plagued by multiple front-foot no-balls. Webster was gifted an extra life on 8 after the Proteas neglected to review a plumb LBW chance from Rabada, with three red lights appearing on ball-tracking. To rub salt into the wounds, the Tasmanian benefited from Umpire's Call following an earlier LBW appeal, while Bavuma comically reviewed a delivery that missed the front pad altogether and struck the middle of Webster's bat. Part-time spinner Aiden Markram, who only boasts three Test scalps, was thrown the Dukes ball so the strike bowlers could switch ends — which proved an inadvertent masterstroke from Bavuma. Attempting to flash through the covers, Smith instead edged towards slip where Jansen held onto a juggling chance on the third attempt, with the Australian departing for 66. Wicketkeeper Alex Carey was left red-faced after botching a reverse sweep immediately after the tea interval, bowled by spinner Keshav Maharaj and throwing his wicket away for 23. The reckless dismissal exposed Australia's tail and prompted a collapse of 5-20 in 34 balls, with Rabada and Jansen ripping through the lower order. Rabada knocked over Cummins with a peach that crashed into the top of off stump before Webster departed for a career-best 72, wafting at a wide delivery and nicking towards the slips cordon. 'I thought all of us started extremely well (with the ball),' Rabada said during the innings break. 'I am just the one who got the rewards today.' Starc only needed six deliveries to unearth the first breakthrough of South Africa's innings, with opener Markram chopping back onto his stumps for a duck. The left-armed quick should have also accounted for Wiaan Mulder caught behind in the fifth over, only for Carey to inexplicably put down an absolute sitter with the gloves. Starc's disappointment was short-lived, however, with the speedster accounting for Proteas opener Ryan Rickelton a few minutes later for 16 courtesy of a sharp catch from Khawaja at first slip. Bavuma, who needed 31 balls to get off the mark, survived a marginal LBW appeal before Cummins knocked over Mulder with a full delivery that crashed into middle stump – much to Carey's relief. With less than ten minutes remaining in the day, Hazlewood ensured the Australians had the ascendancy at stumps by beating Tristan Stubbs' inside edge and toppling the young gun for 2. Australia, boasting one of the greatest bowling attacks of the modern era, is competing to become the first nation to win consecutive World Test Championship titles, while the Proteas will be desperate to lift their first major trophy since the 1998 ICC Knockout, a 27-year drought headlined by plenty of World Cup heartbreak. South Africa topped the World Test Championship standings with eight victories in 12 matches, including seven wins in a row ahead of this week's marquee fixture. The World Test Championship final resumes on Thursday at 7.30pm AEST.
