Latest news with #Canterbury
The Advertiser
10 hours ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Coach explains reason Dogs dropped Sexton for Galvin
Cameron Ciraldo says Canterbury had to make tough decisions if they want to take it to the NRL's best, after dropping halfback Toby Sexton to bring in Lachlan Galvin. Six weeks after arriving at Belmore, Galvin will play his first game alongside Matt Burton in the halves on Saturday against St George Illawarra. The decision to drop Sexton is one of the toughest of any team this year, after the former Gold Coast No.7 helped take the Bulldogs to the top of the ladder. But after falling to third in recent weeks, Ciraldo said he had to make the tough call in order to challenge the best sides. "The last little period we've been working really hard on our attack," Ciraldo said on SEN. "We've been trying to evolve our attack gearing towards the back end of the year, understanding what's going to beat those top teams who have really good defensive systems. "And we just felt like we weren't sort of getting there."Probably because we're sitting on a good part of the ladder people think you don't have to change. "But we're coming in every day wanting to be a better football team and wanting to be better players, and sometimes you have to make tough decisions around that." Ciraldo said he expected Galvin to benefit from being left out of last week's win over North Queensland, after spending the game with him in the coach's box. Since arriving as a mid-season signing from Wests Tigers last month, Galvin has played two games off the bench and twice started during State of Origin-impacted rounds. He now has eight games to fit into the Bulldogs' structures before finals. "Lachie has been showing some really good signs at training with his natural talent with the ball and with how he can unlock players around him," Ciraldo coach again rejected any suggestion Galvin's arrival had impacted squad harmony, and insisted it had not put unnecessary pressure on Sexton. Sexton has since agreed to move to Catalans in the English Super League next season, after the Bulldogs did not open negotiations for an extension. "He has improved a lot over time. Him leaving for a really good deal at Catalans makes us really proud of the environment we were able to create," Ciraldo said. "It was a tough decision (to drop him) because we love Toby and he's done a great job for us, and we're not giving up on him. "Everyone has that (selection) pressure. "I remember having that conversation with Jacob Preston at the end of last year telling him we were bringing Sitili Tupouniua in. "We've got jobs to do, but we've got a deep squad and that's the great thing we've been able to put together." Meanwhile, Ciraldo revealed Tupouniua was on track to return from a hamstring injury against the Dragons, provided he got through training on Thursday. Cameron Ciraldo says Canterbury had to make tough decisions if they want to take it to the NRL's best, after dropping halfback Toby Sexton to bring in Lachlan Galvin. Six weeks after arriving at Belmore, Galvin will play his first game alongside Matt Burton in the halves on Saturday against St George Illawarra. The decision to drop Sexton is one of the toughest of any team this year, after the former Gold Coast No.7 helped take the Bulldogs to the top of the ladder. But after falling to third in recent weeks, Ciraldo said he had to make the tough call in order to challenge the best sides. "The last little period we've been working really hard on our attack," Ciraldo said on SEN. "We've been trying to evolve our attack gearing towards the back end of the year, understanding what's going to beat those top teams who have really good defensive systems. "And we just felt like we weren't sort of getting there."Probably because we're sitting on a good part of the ladder people think you don't have to change. "But we're coming in every day wanting to be a better football team and wanting to be better players, and sometimes you have to make tough decisions around that." Ciraldo said he expected Galvin to benefit from being left out of last week's win over North Queensland, after spending the game with him in the coach's box. Since arriving as a mid-season signing from Wests Tigers last month, Galvin has played two games off the bench and twice started during State of Origin-impacted rounds. He now has eight games to fit into the Bulldogs' structures before finals. "Lachie has been showing some really good signs at training with his natural talent with the ball and with how he can unlock players around him," Ciraldo coach again rejected any suggestion Galvin's arrival had impacted squad harmony, and insisted it had not put unnecessary pressure on Sexton. Sexton has since agreed to move to Catalans in the English Super League next season, after the Bulldogs did not open negotiations for an extension. "He has improved a lot over time. Him leaving for a really good deal at Catalans makes us really proud of the environment we were able to create," Ciraldo said. "It was a tough decision (to drop him) because we love Toby and he's done a great job for us, and we're not giving up on him. "Everyone has that (selection) pressure. "I remember having that conversation with Jacob Preston at the end of last year telling him we were bringing Sitili Tupouniua in. "We've got jobs to do, but we've got a deep squad and that's the great thing we've been able to put together." Meanwhile, Ciraldo revealed Tupouniua was on track to return from a hamstring injury against the Dragons, provided he got through training on Thursday. Cameron Ciraldo says Canterbury had to make tough decisions if they want to take it to the NRL's best, after dropping halfback Toby Sexton to bring in Lachlan Galvin. Six weeks after arriving at Belmore, Galvin will play his first game alongside Matt Burton in the halves on Saturday against St George Illawarra. The decision to drop Sexton is one of the toughest of any team this year, after the former Gold Coast No.7 helped take the Bulldogs to the top of the ladder. But after falling to third in recent weeks, Ciraldo said he had to make the tough call in order to challenge the best sides. "The last little period we've been working really hard on our attack," Ciraldo said on SEN. "We've been trying to evolve our attack gearing towards the back end of the year, understanding what's going to beat those top teams who have really good defensive systems. "And we just felt like we weren't sort of getting there."Probably because we're sitting on a good part of the ladder people think you don't have to change. "But we're coming in every day wanting to be a better football team and wanting to be better players, and sometimes you have to make tough decisions around that." Ciraldo said he expected Galvin to benefit from being left out of last week's win over North Queensland, after spending the game with him in the coach's box. Since arriving as a mid-season signing from Wests Tigers last month, Galvin has played two games off the bench and twice started during State of Origin-impacted rounds. He now has eight games to fit into the Bulldogs' structures before finals. "Lachie has been showing some really good signs at training with his natural talent with the ball and with how he can unlock players around him," Ciraldo coach again rejected any suggestion Galvin's arrival had impacted squad harmony, and insisted it had not put unnecessary pressure on Sexton. Sexton has since agreed to move to Catalans in the English Super League next season, after the Bulldogs did not open negotiations for an extension. "He has improved a lot over time. Him leaving for a really good deal at Catalans makes us really proud of the environment we were able to create," Ciraldo said. "It was a tough decision (to drop him) because we love Toby and he's done a great job for us, and we're not giving up on him. "Everyone has that (selection) pressure. "I remember having that conversation with Jacob Preston at the end of last year telling him we were bringing Sitili Tupouniua in. "We've got jobs to do, but we've got a deep squad and that's the great thing we've been able to put together." Meanwhile, Ciraldo revealed Tupouniua was on track to return from a hamstring injury against the Dragons, provided he got through training on Thursday.
News.com.au
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
‘Touched us all': Rock legend dies peacefully after battling a long illness at 85
British 70s rock legend, Dave Cousins, has died at the age of 85. The founder, guitarist, and singer of the English folk and progressive rock band, The Strawbs reportedly passed away yesterday. News of his death was announced via Cousins' official Facebook page, citing his 'long illness'. The statement read: 'It is with profound sadness that we have to announce the passing of David Joseph Cousins at the Pilgrims Hospice in Canterbury, peacefully following a long illness, today, Sunday 13 July 2025. 'We will all wish to celebrate the life of this incredible singer-songwriter, relation, colleague and / or special friend at this time.' Fans have been encouraged to listen to their favourite songs by the rock legend, as well as what Cousins would refer to as a 'glass of vino collapso' (wine). It added: 'We ask you to join in remembering a wonderful, talented man, whose life has touched us all.' Cousins was born in 1940, and founded the band originally known as the Strawberry Hill Boys in 1964. An obituary dedicated to the accomplished songwriter, band frontman and independent local radio entrepreneur read: 'Born into a working-class family in West London, David had a unique, varied and distinguished career. 'He was one of the most distinctive singer-songwriters to emerge from the British scene in the 1960s before becoming a pioneer of independent local radio in the 1980s and 1990s.' Cousins first met fellow Strawbs member, Tony Hooper, on his first day attending the Thames Valley Grammar School in Twickenham. After school, he created a skiffle group with Hooper and two other friends call the Gin Bottle Four, before going off to the University of Leicester. There, Cousins majored in Mathematics and Statistics, while being heavily involved in the student music scene. Cousins then founded the University Folk Society, as well as being president of the Jazz Club that ran in the basement of the Students' Union's building. The Gin Bottle Four eventually developed into the Strawberry Hill Boys, as cousins became renowned for his fast banjo-picking, inimitable vocal style, and haunting compositions. The Strawbs moved from folk into progressive rock after first being signed to A & M records and releasing album All Our Own Work which was recorded in 1967. The have since released 23 studio albums, with the latest in 2023. Their best-known single was Part of the Union which reached number two in the UK Singles Charts in February 1973.
The Age
a day ago
- Sport
- The Age
Why the Bulldogs dropped Toby Sexton for Lachlan Galvin
While Canterbury fans were dancing in the streets getting caught up in the euphoria of their long-overdue rise to the top of the league, the Bulldogs coaching staff and senior players were seeing chinks in the armour that were being masked by the almost weekly collection of two competition points. Most coaches are paralysed by the fear of failure. A fear of losing their jobs. Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo, however, has always adopted a philosophy of chasing success rather than avoiding failure. He knows he has the backing of the club to build, or at least attempt to, an empire similar to the one he helped create alongside Ivan Cleary at the Panthers over many years at the foot of the mountains. It's the kind of reassurance that encourages a decision-making process that prioritises the long-term sustained success of the club over a smash-and-grab pursuit of a one-off premiership at any cost. The kind of reassurance that instils a courage that stops you from offering an extension to your off-contract halfback that has led you to the top of the ladder if you don't believe he can keep you there. In the past seven weeks, the Super League-bound Sexton has not registered a single try assist for the Bulldogs. The six to his name in 2025 is one less than teammate and backrower Villiame Kikau has notched up this season. It's also one less than what Parramatta fill-in halfback Dean Hawkins has amassed in half the games played. Sexton has also failed to register a single line break in the entire 2025 season. He isn't in the top 50 players in line break assists, all the while touching the ball more than any other half in the competition bar Isaiya Katoa, Nicho Hynes and Daly Cherry-Evans.
Sydney Morning Herald
a day ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Why the Bulldogs dropped Toby Sexton for Lachlan Galvin
While Canterbury fans were dancing in the streets getting caught up in the euphoria of their long-overdue rise to the top of the league, the Bulldogs coaching staff and senior players were seeing chinks in the armour that were being masked by the almost weekly collection of two competition points. Most coaches are paralysed by the fear of failure. A fear of losing their jobs. Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo, however, has always adopted a philosophy of chasing success rather than avoiding failure. He knows he has the backing of the club to build, or at least attempt to, an empire similar to the one he helped create alongside Ivan Cleary at the Panthers over many years at the foot of the mountains. It's the kind of reassurance that encourages a decision-making process that prioritises the long-term sustained success of the club over a smash-and-grab pursuit of a one-off premiership at any cost. The kind of reassurance that instils a courage that stops you from offering an extension to your off-contract halfback that has led you to the top of the ladder if you don't believe he can keep you there. In the past seven weeks, the Super League-bound Sexton has not registered a single try assist for the Bulldogs. The six to his name in 2025 is one less than teammate and backrower Villiame Kikau has notched up this season. It's also one less than what Parramatta fill-in halfback Dean Hawkins has amassed in half the games played. Sexton has also failed to register a single line break in the entire 2025 season. He isn't in the top 50 players in line break assists, all the while touching the ball more than any other half in the competition bar Isaiya Katoa, Nicho Hynes and Daly Cherry-Evans.
7NEWS
a day ago
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Bulldogs confirm Lachlan Galvin call as Eels drop superstar Dylan Brown
Canterbury insist Lachlan Galvin will have enough time to feel at home in their halves, after the Bulldogs pulled the trigger and handed the mid-season recruit the No.7 jersey. 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.
