Latest news with #TobySexton
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Missing detail about Toby Sexton called out after Bulldogs axing for Lachie Galvin
Former NRL premiership winner Matty Johns has leapt to the defence of axed Bulldogs halfback Toby Sexton after flipping the narrative around teammate Lachie Galvin on its head. Canterbury coach Cameron Ciraldo made the brutal decision to dump Sexton in favour of Galvin for last week's nail-biting two-point win over the Dragons. The move ultimately paid dividends with Galvin setting up the match-winning try in the dying stages after throwing a superb cut-out pass to Jethro Rinakama. But it was hardly a dominant performance from the star recruit, who showed flashes of brilliance but still struggled to help take the Bulldogs attack to the next level. Ciraldo has spoken about the need to evolve his side's attack and come up with ways to try and break down the best teams and defensive structures in the competition. It's why many believe Ciraldo made the right choice by replacing Sexton with Galvin, after pointing out some of the unflattering attacking stats of the axed No.7. It was widely publicised before Sexton was dropped that he had not registered a single try assist in his past seven games. And critics also pointed out that he had the fewest try assists and line breaks of any of the halfbacks in the top four teams this season. Matty Johns takes aim at 'stats' after defending Toby Sexton But Johns said it was 'disrespectful' to discredit a player that had helped turn the previously struggling Bulldogs into a genuine premiership contender and said the stats don't tell the whole story. "One thing that does irk me a bit is the stat sheet that has been released to all the journalists on Toby Sexton," Johns began saying on SEN radio. "Saying 'oh look at this he's only got two this and that'. I just think that's so disrespectful given where Toby has taken that team. I just think he deserves a lot better than that. So it's pretty crook. "Stats tell a lie a lot of the time. And for Toby, yes he's not doing the same amount of try assists as Nathan (Cleary), those guys. But sometimes when you're in the halves it's the things you don't do that are really important. Like pushing your passes, overstepping your bounds and things like that. "Regardless of what he's done and try assists and what appears on the stats sheet, he has taken the Dogs - look where they were when he walked into that team - and look where they are now. And a lot of that is (down to) Toby." Ironically, some of the stats actually back up Johns' argument. One glance at the Bulldogs' win-loss record with and without Sexton, illustrates his influence on the team. Across the last two seasons, the Dogs have won just three of nine games (33%) when Sexton has not been playing, compared to 23 of 32 games (71.9%) when he has been in the team. RELATED: Major blow for Panthers as two players sign with Dragons Cameron Smith flags new role after missing gig to Kevin Walters But while former Bulldogs premiership winner Braith Anasta admitted that Sexton has done a sensational job at No.7 for the Dogs, he feels Galvin can ultimately take them to that next level to potentially win a premiership. 'It's not about winning right now, games, it's about winning the comp,' he said on NRL 360. 'That's the big shift here. They can win, they know they can win club games, and when it gets to the finals, we all know, the level goes up, it's elite, it's the best of the best, you've got to find another level. And they haven't found that for a while now, and they're looking for it.'
News.com.au
19-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
NRL world says same thing about Lachlan Galvin as halfback produces mixed performance
Question marks over the Bulldogs' decision to replace Toby Sexton with Lachlan Galvin have only intensified after the No. 7 produced a rocks and diamonds display as Canterbury edged past the Dragons 20-18. The Bulldogs named Galvin at halfback for their clash on Saturday evening, with Sexton relegated to reserve grade. 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? Join now and get your first month for just $1. It came after the Bulldogs only managed to score two tries in their 12-8 victory over the Cowboys last week. And as a result, Cameron Ciraldo pulled the trigger, parachuting Galvin into the starting side. But once again, his performance was split between pieces of brilliance and being completely ineffectual. The youngster crossed for a try early in the first half, backing up on the inside of Stephen Crichton after the representative centre broke the line. And he finished his performance by throwing a cutout pass to winger Jethro Rinakama, who scored in the corner to secure the two-point victory. But in between the pieces of quality, Galvin struggled to get a foothold in the match. The 20-year-old made several poor defensive reads and overplayed his hand in attack as the Bulldogs continue to struggle to recapture their early-season form. After going into the break 10 points up against the Dragons, some questionable efforts from the halfback helped the Red V back into the game. And it was his defensive effort that saw the Dragons take the lead 18-16 in the second half that drew groans from Canterbury supporters. As St George shifted the ball from right to left, Galvin charged out of the line to put pressure on Dragons half Kyle Flanagan, who effortlessly passed to Clint Gutherson, creating an overlap. The 20-year-old then made no effort to chase back, jogging to the line as the Red V drew and passed before Sione Finau scored in the corner. You can watch the moment in the player at the top of the page. And it had Dogs fans all left saying the same thing. 'Galvin has single-handedly ruined the Bulldogs' season,' one fan wrote on X. 'Is Galvin the worst defensive half in the comp?' another asked. 'Can we give him back. What is Galvin doing?' a third added. However, his moment of quality at the end showed what he can do. But fans still aren't convinced. 'Rough second half, Galvin nervous, needs to breathe and just play. Ended the game with a fantastic pass though, has promise, just needs to play his best,' one fan said. 'Galvin literally did two good things in the whole damn game, and played crap for the rest of it, but bring on the ignoring the crap part,' another said. 'Oh, finally a win ffs lmao good on ya doggies. Galvin actually showed what he CAN do,' a third Dogs fan said. 'What a rubbish 78 minutes and then that. Galvin is a rollercoaster,' a fourth wrote. Cameron Ciraldo's call to drop Toby Sexton season-defining The Dogs built their formidable form off effort areas, somewhere Galvin has come up short to date. Since Galvin joined the club, the Bulldogs in Round 14, the former league leaders have not beaten a current top 8 team. And the decision to pick the youngster is likely to be a season-defining one, one way or another. Over the last two seasons, Sexton has played 32 games, with the Bulldogs winning 23 of those and losing just 9, for a win percentage of 71.9. In the same period, Sexton has missed 9 games, with the Bulldogs winning just 3 and losing 6 of those. Now that Ciraldo has opted to go with Galvin over Sexton, he will surely stick with it. Galvin has shown that he is a star of the future, but time will tell if he's ready to lead a team to premiership glory right now.
The Australian
10-07-2025
- Sport
- The Australian
Secret clause in Reed Mahoney's Cowboys contract revealed
Reed Mahoney's new deal with the Cowboys includes a secret clause which could extend his time at North Queensland. It comes as Mahoney prepares to face his future club on Saturday night just days after agreeing to join the Cowboys. Mahoney's deal has been reported as a three-year contract. However, the contract could be extended by a further season with a clause in Mahoney's favour. Reed Mahoney has been forced out of the Bulldogs. Picture: Getty Images Mahoney will have the option to remain at the Cowboys in 2029 with the first three years of the deal guaranteed by both parties. He signed the contract to replace Sydney Roosters bound hooker Reece Robson. The Cowboys also spoke to Jayden Brailey and Tallyn Da Silva before agreeing to a deal with Mahoney. The 27-year-old became the second starting spine member of the Bulldogs to leave the club within days following Toby Sexton's decision to join Catalans. The former Canterbury skipper was given permission to talk with rival clubs earlier this year despite being contracted until the end of 2026. Both (L-R) Toby Sexton and Reed Mahoney will leave the Bulldogs at the end of the season. Picture: Tim Hunter. His move is expected to see Bailey Hayward become the starting rake for the Bulldogs next year. While Mahoney has largely played 80 minutes since his arrival, in recent weeks he has shown his frustrations when taken from the field to accommodate Lachlan Galvin's arrival. Mahoney played 80 minutes during Canterbury's 22-18 loss to Brisbane last Friday. Mahoney has been named at hooker to play the Cowboys in Townsville on Saturday night. ORIGIN III A RATINGS BONANZA Queensland's stunning State of Origin series win over NSW has been a ratings bonanza for the Nine Network, becoming the highest rating game three for more than a decade and reaching more than 5 million viewers. The Maroons' 24-12 victory at Accor Stadium also shattered the record for the highest streamed show in history, surging past the Mtildas semi-final loss to England at the women's World Cup. Origin III was the No.1 program of the night in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and - in a promising sign for expansion - Perth. The game was also the No.2 show in Adelaide. Viewing figures were up considerably in both Perth and Adelaide.
News.com.au
08-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Phil Gould cops brutal truth bomb as Bulldogs' roster management called into question
Questions have been raised over the Bulldogs' roster management following confirmation of Reed Mahoney joining the Cowboys and Lachlan Galvin's mid-season arrival. Galvin joined the club from the Tigers on a big-money deal while starting halfback Toby Sexton and Mahoney have been forced out the door, with the pair signing deals with other clubs for 2026. 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 > The Bulldogs were on top of the ladder from Round 4 to Round 16 but have lost three of their past five games to drop down to third. Daily Telegraph Journalist Phil Rothfield penned a column for The Daily Telegraph Monday morningwhere he declared Bulldogs seemed to be 'a little bit all over the shop'. He also questioned Bulldogs general manager of football Phil Gould's lack of recent success, pointing to instances in the past where he's made surprising roster management decisions involving big name players. 'I've pointed out it's been 23 years he's been out of the winners circle. The last time was when he was the head of football in 2002. Having said that, I think he's done a very good at the Bulldogs like he did at Penrith,' Rothfield said on the Big Sports Breakfast. 'There's no doubt Gus can set up clubs to win a premiership but the jury is out whether he can actually deliver one or if he has to leave and then they can enjoy the success. 'Having two key spine players announce they're going midway through the year for a side that was leading the competition two weeks ago I think is madness. 'Gus has done this previously at Penrith. He brought in Jamie Soward, cut him early. He brought in Trent Merrin and said he'd be the next NSW captain but cut him early. James Maloney, cut him early. 'I just think there's a lot of confusion at the Bulldogs. A lot of chopping and changing, moving Matt Burton to the centres, one wing to the other. 'One week Mahoney plays 50 minutes and get hooked then another he plays the full 80. Bailey Hayward starts one week and then gets benched. So does Josh Curran 'They are a little bit all over the shop. They're struggling to find the right position in the side for Galvin. The young half has shown glimpses of brilliance in his four games at the Bulldogs but there have been some obvious growing pains. The fact the Bulldogs halves weren't able to close out the game against the Broncos despite leading 18-0 with 20 minutes to go is worrying. Galvin and the Bulldogs' indifferent form led NRL legend Gorden Tallis to opine that it would have been better for the club to sign the young gun at the end of the season. 'You reckon in a perfect world the Dogs would have wanted him at the end of the season so he had a full pre-season?' Tallis said on Triple M's Sunday Sin Bin. 'Because it looks like to me that they're trying to please the kid.' Rothfield noted those comments from Tallis, believing Galvin is under further pressure given he's joined a ladder-leading team mid-season. 'It probably in hindsight it might have been a little bit smarter to bring Galvin in at the end of the season and leave him at the Wests Tigers (for 2025),' Rothfield said. 'Give him a full off-season – three or four months – with the rest of the club and it might have been easier for him to fit in with this side. 'There is no player under the blowtorch as much as Lachlan Galvin is. Each and every week he runs onto the field, we don't just watch the game we're looking to see where he is. That's a lot of pressure on a young fella.' Even though Galvin joined on a big money contract worth over $2 million, that shouldn't mean he is guaranteed a place in the best 17 according to Fox League's Greg Alexander. The Panthers legend said that at the moment, he can't find a space for Galvin in the Bulldogs 17. 'What would your Bulldogs side be in Round 27. Let's fast forward two rounds,' Alexander said on Fox League. 'My answer is Sexton at halfback, Burton at five-eighth and Bailey Hayward on the bench. I don't know if I could find a spot for Lachlan Galvin. 'You probably can carry Galvin and Hayward but because Hayward does such a good job in the halves, he can play at the back of the scrum. 'At the moment, and how they are in their development of their career, I have Hayward ahead of Galvin because Hayward covers dummy-half and the halves. Not just covers the halves, but does a damn good job in the halves.'
The Australian
08-07-2025
- Sport
- The Australian
NRL 2025: Cameron Ciraldo ignores criticism of Lachlan Galvin's role
Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo says his plans for Lachlan Galvin won't be influenced by the same people who criticised the club's recruitment strategy as he prepares to avenge his side's heavy loss to Brisbane earlier in the season. Galvin is just three games into his Bulldogs career after he made the mid-season switch from the Wests Tigers, with the young playmaker winning his first two matches before tasting defeat in an instant classic against Penrith last week. The former Tiger has started one match and has come off the bench in the other two games, with plenty of outside noise that Ciraldo should move him into the halves now and drop Toby Sexton to work on combinations ahead of the finals. Cameron Ciraldo won't let outside noise influence his plans for Lachlan Galvin. Picture:'I don't see a whole lot of it. I am told about it at different times, but internally we all understand what we're trying to do here,' Ciraldo said ahead of Friday's showdown with the Broncos where Galvin has again been named on the bench. 'We're all on the same page and I've got a number of good people around me whose opinions I trust inside our four walls, and we'll continue to do that. 'It's probably the same voices who are doubting what we did now who doubted our recruitment strategy, doubted our forward pack and doubted a lot of other things we did along the way. 'At the end of the day, how we play towards the back end of the season – everyone will have an opinion on that – but we're really comfortable with what we're doing now and how our team is evolving. 'It was such a quality game last week and it was like a benchmark game for the season, so I don't think there needs to be too much negativity around how we played last week.' Stephen Crichton's teammates rallied around him after a few late errors last week. Picture:The Bulldogs only trail ladder leaders Canberra on for and against, with the blue and whites looking to bounce back after their narrow loss to Penrith in what was the game of the season. They missed a late chance to win it when skipper Stephen Crichton's pass went into touch, with his teammates quick to pick him up and support him. That's something Crichton would have done when he joined the club, with his traits now rubbing off on his teammates. 'That was great. We're a very connected team and a very connected club at the moment, and that's really important,' Ciraldo said. 'There's a lot of outside noise about disruptions and things like that, but if you look at those key moments in the game last week… the way our team came together makes me really proud as a coach.' Their next challenge is against a Broncos side that thrashed them in round 8 to snap their winning streak to start the season, with Brisbane racing in six first-half tries to ambush their rivals. Both teams will be missing a stack of Origin stars, but Ciraldo is backing his team to learn from what went wrong when they met back in April. Poor discipline hurt the Bulldogs when they met Brisbane earlier this year. Picture:'There are some really good lessons for us there, but there were also some really good parts of our identity where we just fought for the end and never gave up and had a really good second half,' he said. 'There are lessons every week but particularly that week. 'We reviewed it pretty heavily at the time, but it's always good to go back and look at what went well and what didn't. 'I'd like to see us build on what we did last week. We learnt lots of lessons in round 8 against the Broncos, but we learnt plenty of lessons last week as well. I just want to see us put as many of those into action as we can.'
