Latest news with #Eels
The Advertiser
19 hours ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Galvin impresses, Bulldogs ponder how to use him
Cameron Ciraldo doesn't yet know which position Lachlan Galvin will play for Canterbury, but feels it's "short-sighted" to suggest the ladder-leaders are good enough without the teen star in has been named on the Bulldogs' extended bench to face Parramatta on Monday, leaving the door open for a club debut only days after the five-eighth's messy mid-season exit from Wests Tigers. Coach Ciraldo has guaranteed Galvin will not dislodge Toby Sexton from halfback for round 14 following speculation about how Canterbury's high-profile signing will impact the off-contract journeyman. Galvin could be forced to progress through NSW Cup onto a club debut, but at the rate he is going Ciraldo says the 19-year-old is putting himself in the frame to face the Eels. "It's a sign of his character that he was happy to come here and play reserve grade,' Ciraldo said. "But the first two sessions he's had here, he's impressed us all with his attitude and his work ethic. If he continues that, he'll be in the team before too long." Debate has raged as to how Galvin will squeeze into a Bulldogs side that has shown strong premiership credentials to lead the competition with a 9-2 record through 13 rounds. Galvin's usual five-eighth position is occupied by former captain and attacking talisman Matt Burton, while lock or second row could be long-term options if he packs on some size. Ciraldo also suggested Galvin had junior experience playing fullback. "We'll make those decisions later in the week," Ciraldo said. "There's six days left until we play so we've still got four or five more sessions for him to feel more comfortable, which is good for him. "It gives him an opportunity to prove to us that he should be in the team." Lining up next to Burton in the halves is off the table for this week as Ciraldo backs off-contract Sexton to face the Eels. Amid speculation Galvin's arrival could open the door for Sexton to return to Gold Coast, Ciraldo said the 24-year-old had it in him to remain starting halfback for the remainder of the season. "Toby will be the halfback on Monday against the Eels," Ciraldo said. "Toby knows that he's the master of his own destiny there. He knows if he's playing his best footy and he's the best option for us to win games, then he'll be in that No.7 jersey. "He's done some things really well and we've been really open about some things that we want him to do better. He's working really hard on that." The coach rubbished suggestions the Bulldogs' premiership push was humming along well enough without risking disruption by adding a new player. "I think that's a pretty short-sighted view. Our job at this club is to try and get better every day and we've got to make decisions that are in the best interest of the club," he said. "Bringing someone of Lachie's calibre into this team and into this club is a decision made in the best interest of this club." Galvin was subject to social media ridicule from ex-teammates Jarome Luai and Sunia Turuva after news he planned to leave the Tigers, but appears to be gelling well with the Bulldogs playing group. The senior players endorsed the club's decision to sign Galvin, Ciraldo said. "We had those conversations with the senior players and with the guys that it probably affects more than others," he said. "The boys have accepted him into the group and he's getting to know everyone. I couldn't be happier with the way he's settled in." Cameron Ciraldo doesn't yet know which position Lachlan Galvin will play for Canterbury, but feels it's "short-sighted" to suggest the ladder-leaders are good enough without the teen star in has been named on the Bulldogs' extended bench to face Parramatta on Monday, leaving the door open for a club debut only days after the five-eighth's messy mid-season exit from Wests Tigers. Coach Ciraldo has guaranteed Galvin will not dislodge Toby Sexton from halfback for round 14 following speculation about how Canterbury's high-profile signing will impact the off-contract journeyman. Galvin could be forced to progress through NSW Cup onto a club debut, but at the rate he is going Ciraldo says the 19-year-old is putting himself in the frame to face the Eels. "It's a sign of his character that he was happy to come here and play reserve grade,' Ciraldo said. "But the first two sessions he's had here, he's impressed us all with his attitude and his work ethic. If he continues that, he'll be in the team before too long." Debate has raged as to how Galvin will squeeze into a Bulldogs side that has shown strong premiership credentials to lead the competition with a 9-2 record through 13 rounds. Galvin's usual five-eighth position is occupied by former captain and attacking talisman Matt Burton, while lock or second row could be long-term options if he packs on some size. Ciraldo also suggested Galvin had junior experience playing fullback. "We'll make those decisions later in the week," Ciraldo said. "There's six days left until we play so we've still got four or five more sessions for him to feel more comfortable, which is good for him. "It gives him an opportunity to prove to us that he should be in the team." Lining up next to Burton in the halves is off the table for this week as Ciraldo backs off-contract Sexton to face the Eels. Amid speculation Galvin's arrival could open the door for Sexton to return to Gold Coast, Ciraldo said the 24-year-old had it in him to remain starting halfback for the remainder of the season. "Toby will be the halfback on Monday against the Eels," Ciraldo said. "Toby knows that he's the master of his own destiny there. He knows if he's playing his best footy and he's the best option for us to win games, then he'll be in that No.7 jersey. "He's done some things really well and we've been really open about some things that we want him to do better. He's working really hard on that." The coach rubbished suggestions the Bulldogs' premiership push was humming along well enough without risking disruption by adding a new player. "I think that's a pretty short-sighted view. Our job at this club is to try and get better every day and we've got to make decisions that are in the best interest of the club," he said. "Bringing someone of Lachie's calibre into this team and into this club is a decision made in the best interest of this club." Galvin was subject to social media ridicule from ex-teammates Jarome Luai and Sunia Turuva after news he planned to leave the Tigers, but appears to be gelling well with the Bulldogs playing group. The senior players endorsed the club's decision to sign Galvin, Ciraldo said. "We had those conversations with the senior players and with the guys that it probably affects more than others," he said. "The boys have accepted him into the group and he's getting to know everyone. I couldn't be happier with the way he's settled in." Cameron Ciraldo doesn't yet know which position Lachlan Galvin will play for Canterbury, but feels it's "short-sighted" to suggest the ladder-leaders are good enough without the teen star in has been named on the Bulldogs' extended bench to face Parramatta on Monday, leaving the door open for a club debut only days after the five-eighth's messy mid-season exit from Wests Tigers. Coach Ciraldo has guaranteed Galvin will not dislodge Toby Sexton from halfback for round 14 following speculation about how Canterbury's high-profile signing will impact the off-contract journeyman. Galvin could be forced to progress through NSW Cup onto a club debut, but at the rate he is going Ciraldo says the 19-year-old is putting himself in the frame to face the Eels. "It's a sign of his character that he was happy to come here and play reserve grade,' Ciraldo said. "But the first two sessions he's had here, he's impressed us all with his attitude and his work ethic. If he continues that, he'll be in the team before too long." Debate has raged as to how Galvin will squeeze into a Bulldogs side that has shown strong premiership credentials to lead the competition with a 9-2 record through 13 rounds. Galvin's usual five-eighth position is occupied by former captain and attacking talisman Matt Burton, while lock or second row could be long-term options if he packs on some size. Ciraldo also suggested Galvin had junior experience playing fullback. "We'll make those decisions later in the week," Ciraldo said. "There's six days left until we play so we've still got four or five more sessions for him to feel more comfortable, which is good for him. "It gives him an opportunity to prove to us that he should be in the team." Lining up next to Burton in the halves is off the table for this week as Ciraldo backs off-contract Sexton to face the Eels. Amid speculation Galvin's arrival could open the door for Sexton to return to Gold Coast, Ciraldo said the 24-year-old had it in him to remain starting halfback for the remainder of the season. "Toby will be the halfback on Monday against the Eels," Ciraldo said. "Toby knows that he's the master of his own destiny there. He knows if he's playing his best footy and he's the best option for us to win games, then he'll be in that No.7 jersey. "He's done some things really well and we've been really open about some things that we want him to do better. He's working really hard on that." The coach rubbished suggestions the Bulldogs' premiership push was humming along well enough without risking disruption by adding a new player. "I think that's a pretty short-sighted view. Our job at this club is to try and get better every day and we've got to make decisions that are in the best interest of the club," he said. "Bringing someone of Lachie's calibre into this team and into this club is a decision made in the best interest of this club." Galvin was subject to social media ridicule from ex-teammates Jarome Luai and Sunia Turuva after news he planned to leave the Tigers, but appears to be gelling well with the Bulldogs playing group. The senior players endorsed the club's decision to sign Galvin, Ciraldo said. "We had those conversations with the senior players and with the guys that it probably affects more than others," he said. "The boys have accepted him into the group and he's getting to know everyone. I couldn't be happier with the way he's settled in."
Perth Now
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Galvin impresses, Bulldogs ponder how to use him
Cameron Ciraldo doesn't know yet which position Lachlan Galvin will play for Canterbury, but feels it's "short-sighted" to suggest the ladder-leaders are good enough without the teen star in will be named in the Bulldogs' extended squad to face Parramatta on Monday, leaving the door open for a club debut only days after the five-eighth's messy mid-season exit from Wests Tigers. Coach Ciraldo has guaranteed Galvin will not dislodge Toby Sexton from halfback for round 14 following speculation about how Canterbury's high-profile signing will impact the off-contract journeyman. Galvin could be forced to progress through NSW Cup onto a club debut, but at the rate he is going Ciraldo says the 19-year-old is putting himself in the frame to face the Eels. "It's a sign of his character that he was happy to come here and play reserve grade,' Ciraldo said. "But the first two sessions he's had here, he's impressed us all with his attitude and his work ethic. If he continues that, he'll be in the team before too long." Debate has raged as to how Galvin will squeeze into a Bulldogs side that has shown strong premiership credentials to lead the competition with a 9-2 record through 13 rounds. Galvin's usual five-eighth position is occupied by former captain and attacking talisman Matt Burton, while lock or second row could be long-term options if he packs on some size. Ciraldo also suggested Galvin had junior experience playing fullback. "He'll be named in the 22 today and we'll make those decisions later in the week," Ciraldo said. "There's six days left until we play so we've still got four or five more sessions for him to feel more comfortable, which is good for him. "It gives him an opportunity to prove to us that he should be in the team." Lining up next to Burton in the halves is off the table for this week as Ciraldo backs off-contract Sexton to face the Eels. Amid speculation Galvin's arrival could open the door for Sexton to return to Gold Coast, Ciraldo said the 24-year-old had it in him to remain starting halfback for the remainder of the season. "Toby will be the halfback on Monday against the Eels," Ciraldo said. "Toby knows that he's the master of his own destiny there. He knows if he's playing his best footy and he's the best option for us to win games, then he'll be in that No.7 jersey. "He's done some things really well and we've been really open about some things that we want him to do better. He's working really hard on that." The coach rubbished suggestions the Bulldogs' premiership push was humming along well enough without risking disruption by adding a new player. "I think that's a pretty short-sighted view. Our job at this club is to try and get better every day and we've got to make decisions that are in the best interest of the club," he said. "Bringing someone of Lachie's calibre into this team and into this club is a decision made in the best interest of this club." Galvin was subject to social media ridicule from ex-teammates Jarome Luai and Sunia Turuva after news he planned to leave the Tigers, but appears to be gelling well with the Bulldogs playing group. The senior players endorsed the club's decision to sign Galvin, Ciraldo said. "We had those conversations with the senior players and with the guys that it probably affects more than others," he said. "The boys have accepted him into the group and he's getting to know everyone. I couldn't be happier with the way he's settled in."
Perth Now
21 hours ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Galvin's role locked in for Eels blockbuster
Cameron Ciraldo has confirmed new recruit Lachlan Galvin will be in the Bulldogs squad to face the Eels next Monday, but he won't have the No.7 on his back with Toby Sexton set to keep his spot despite suggestions he was going to be dropped. Galvin has impressed the club after just two sessions and has been accepted by the playing group, with Ciraldo not ruling out a potential debut via NSW Cup amid suggestions Galvin's inclusion could disrupt the ladder leaders' success in 2025. 'He'll be named in the 22 today and we'll make those decisions later in the week,' the coach said. 'That (playing reserve grade) was a part of the conversation we had when we signed him. He was comfortable with it and understood that he had to come here and earn the right to be in the team. Lachlan Galvin will be in the squad to face the Eels on Monday. Bulldogs Credit: Supplied 'He had no qualms about that which was awesome, and it's a sign of his character that he's happy to come here and play reserve grade to bide his time. 'The first two training sessions he's had here, he's impressed us all with his attitude and his work ethic. If he continues that then he'll be in the team before long.' The worst-kept secret in the game was confirmed last week when the Bulldogs revealed that Galvin would be joining them until the end of the 2028 season after he was officially granted a release by the Wests Tigers. The question now is where he fits into a team that has Matt Burton at five-eighth, two quality centres and Sexton, who is off contract at the end of the year. 'We signed a lot of really good utility players over the last few years that no one could really understand why, and he's got that utility value,' Ciraldo said tongue in cheek. 'He can play in the halves, he's played fullback, back row and lock through his junior career. 'He's a quality player and a quality person that we think is going to make our team better.' Sexton will remain halfback for at least one more week, while Ciraldo also confirmed Reed Mahoney would play dummy-half for the King's Birthday blockbuster. What happens going forward with Sexton remains unclear, but his coach says the halfback can make the jersey his own if he owns the role. Toby Sexton's future is up in the air. NRL Photos Credit: The Daily Telegraph 'Toby know he's the master of his own destiny,' he said. 'If he's playing his best footy and he's the best option for us to win games then he'll be in that No.7 jersey, and that's the same for anyone else in our squad. 'If you want to play first grade, then be the best player in your position, do your job and there's a spot for you.' Ciraldo has been impressed with how Galvin, 19, has handled his messy exit from the Tigers and suggested it was 'shortsighted' for fans to question whether the club actually needed him. The Bulldogs coach also dispelled any theories that the club had handled this poorly, with Ciraldo confident that bringing a talented teenager into his high-flying squad will only be a good thing. 'If something like that disrupts the playing group then the culture wasn't as strong as we thought it was,' he said. 'I'm confident that our culture is strong enough for people to come into our group and be accepted with open arms. 'That's what I've seen over the past couple of days.'
The Advertiser
a day ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Honesty session that inspired Panthers' crucial win
Penrith drew a line in the sand while their superstars were away in State of Origin camp, meeting for an honesty session that helped inspire the crucial win over Parramatta. Panthers coach Ivan Cleary had publicly called on the squad to begin realising their potential after they suffered their biggest loss of the year to strugglers Newcastle in round 12. The four-time reigning premiers had sputtered into last place on the ladder and would've sat there later in the season than any defending premiers since 1953 if they lost to the Eels in round 13. Without their five NSW representatives, including Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo, hooker Mitch Kenny and the remaining senior players convened the squad for some tough love before the Eels game. "All of us got together... and put the line in the sand, what needs to be better, especially standards-wise," centre Casey McLean told AAP. "It was a player-driven thing. All the boys kind of knew what needed to happen." The focus of the heart-to-heart session was to remind the players that results would continue to be lacklustre without a lift in training intensity. "Just flip that switch at training, just training habits and things like that led into what happened (against the Eels)," McLean said. Star halfback Cleary noticed the lift in intensity on return from Origin duties, admitting the club's standards may have slipped during a disappointing 2025 season. "A few of the boys were talking about how hard the week at training had been," he said. "Maybe that's where we'd been lacking, just dropping our standards a little bit. I thought young guys like Casey were really good." McLean had his best game of the year against the Eels, scoring a try and setting one up to help the Panthers to the kind of gritty win that became their trademark in four premiership seasons. The improved performance was the latest twist in a rollercoaster first 12 months in the NRL for McLean, who was dropped to reserve grade after the round-eight loss to Manly. Conversations with coach Cleary reassured the 19-year-old during his two weeks out of the NRL team. "He just says it's a journey. Not everything's going to be highs, so you've got to ride the lows as well," McLean said. "It's just all learning, you can't take things as negatives. You've got to take everything as a positive, find ways to improve, move forward and this (18-10 win over the Eels) showcases what happens, I suppose." Penrith drew a line in the sand while their superstars were away in State of Origin camp, meeting for an honesty session that helped inspire the crucial win over Parramatta. Panthers coach Ivan Cleary had publicly called on the squad to begin realising their potential after they suffered their biggest loss of the year to strugglers Newcastle in round 12. The four-time reigning premiers had sputtered into last place on the ladder and would've sat there later in the season than any defending premiers since 1953 if they lost to the Eels in round 13. Without their five NSW representatives, including Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo, hooker Mitch Kenny and the remaining senior players convened the squad for some tough love before the Eels game. "All of us got together... and put the line in the sand, what needs to be better, especially standards-wise," centre Casey McLean told AAP. "It was a player-driven thing. All the boys kind of knew what needed to happen." The focus of the heart-to-heart session was to remind the players that results would continue to be lacklustre without a lift in training intensity. "Just flip that switch at training, just training habits and things like that led into what happened (against the Eels)," McLean said. Star halfback Cleary noticed the lift in intensity on return from Origin duties, admitting the club's standards may have slipped during a disappointing 2025 season. "A few of the boys were talking about how hard the week at training had been," he said. "Maybe that's where we'd been lacking, just dropping our standards a little bit. I thought young guys like Casey were really good." McLean had his best game of the year against the Eels, scoring a try and setting one up to help the Panthers to the kind of gritty win that became their trademark in four premiership seasons. The improved performance was the latest twist in a rollercoaster first 12 months in the NRL for McLean, who was dropped to reserve grade after the round-eight loss to Manly. Conversations with coach Cleary reassured the 19-year-old during his two weeks out of the NRL team. "He just says it's a journey. Not everything's going to be highs, so you've got to ride the lows as well," McLean said. "It's just all learning, you can't take things as negatives. You've got to take everything as a positive, find ways to improve, move forward and this (18-10 win over the Eels) showcases what happens, I suppose." Penrith drew a line in the sand while their superstars were away in State of Origin camp, meeting for an honesty session that helped inspire the crucial win over Parramatta. Panthers coach Ivan Cleary had publicly called on the squad to begin realising their potential after they suffered their biggest loss of the year to strugglers Newcastle in round 12. The four-time reigning premiers had sputtered into last place on the ladder and would've sat there later in the season than any defending premiers since 1953 if they lost to the Eels in round 13. Without their five NSW representatives, including Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo, hooker Mitch Kenny and the remaining senior players convened the squad for some tough love before the Eels game. "All of us got together... and put the line in the sand, what needs to be better, especially standards-wise," centre Casey McLean told AAP. "It was a player-driven thing. All the boys kind of knew what needed to happen." The focus of the heart-to-heart session was to remind the players that results would continue to be lacklustre without a lift in training intensity. "Just flip that switch at training, just training habits and things like that led into what happened (against the Eels)," McLean said. Star halfback Cleary noticed the lift in intensity on return from Origin duties, admitting the club's standards may have slipped during a disappointing 2025 season. "A few of the boys were talking about how hard the week at training had been," he said. "Maybe that's where we'd been lacking, just dropping our standards a little bit. I thought young guys like Casey were really good." McLean had his best game of the year against the Eels, scoring a try and setting one up to help the Panthers to the kind of gritty win that became their trademark in four premiership seasons. The improved performance was the latest twist in a rollercoaster first 12 months in the NRL for McLean, who was dropped to reserve grade after the round-eight loss to Manly. Conversations with coach Cleary reassured the 19-year-old during his two weeks out of the NRL team. "He just says it's a journey. Not everything's going to be highs, so you've got to ride the lows as well," McLean said. "It's just all learning, you can't take things as negatives. You've got to take everything as a positive, find ways to improve, move forward and this (18-10 win over the Eels) showcases what happens, I suppose."
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Nathan Cleary act comes to light after Test player brutally axed by Panthers
Casey McLean has revealed the conversation he had with Nathan Cleary after being axed by the Penrith Panthers that spurred him to return with a bang for the defending premiers. McLean was so highly-rated that he made his Test debut for New Zealand last year, but hasn't lived up to his lofty expectations in 2025. The 19-year-old has made a number of costly blunders, most notably failing to pass to winger Tom Jenkins for what would have been the match-winning try against the Cowboys in Round 5. That came after he was dropped to reserve grade in Round 4, and he then spent another three weeks out of the first-grade team between Round 9-11. He was recalled to NRL level in Round 12 against the Knights, and scored in the Panthers' 18-10 victory over Parramatta last weekend. Tellingly, he backed himself and threw a dummy that Test winger Zac Lomax fell for as he scored a crucial try in the first half. Rather than second-guess himself after copping criticism for failing to pass on a number of occasions this year, McLean knew the dummy was on this time and fooled the Eels defenders. Speaking on Tuesday, the teenager opened up on some words of wisdom he received from Cleary after his most recent axing. "He just says it's a journey. Not everything's going to be highs, so you've got to ride the lows as well," McLean said. "It's just all learning, you can't take things as negatives. You've got to take everything as a positive, find ways to improve, move forward and this (win over the Eels) showcases what happens, I suppose." McLean said the playing group had an honesty session when Cleary and others were absent for State of Origin 1. The Panthers were missing Cleary, Dylan Edwards, Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin and Brian To'o when they were thrashed by the lowly Knights in Round 12. But hooker Mitch Kenny and the remaining senior players convened the squad for some tough love before the Eels game. "All of us got together... and put the line in the sand, what needs to be better, especially standards-wise," McLean revealed. "It was a player-driven thing. All the boys kind of knew what needed to happen." RELATED: Lachie Galvin rejects Jarome Luai claim after switch to Bulldogs NRL fans all say same thing about Ben Ikin amid Broncos woes The four-time reigning premiers had slumped to last place on the ladder before the Parramatta game. Had they lost to the Eels it would have marked the latest point in a season since 1953 that a defending premier was last. But the win saw them leap-frog the Knights, Eels and Titans, and they're only three points behind Manly in seventh. "Just flip that switch at training, just training habits and things like that led into what happened (against the Eels)," McLean said. Star halfback Cleary noticed the lift in intensity on his return from Origin duties. "A few of the boys were talking about how hard the week at training had been," he said. "Maybe that's where we'd been lacking, just dropping our standards a little bit. I thought young guys like Casey were really good." with AAP
