Axed Bulldogs star Toby Sexton has given his side to the Lachlan Galvin and Phil Gould saga, which continues to simmer as Canterbury’s slide down the NRL ladder continues.
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On Friday night, the Roosters totally outclassed the Bulldogs 32-12, as the decision to drop Sexton for Galvin continues to age poorly.
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After years of rebuilding, the Bulldogs appeared to have finally positioned themselves as genuine premiership contenders in 2025, but in the last three weeks, they have been smashed by both the lowly Tigers and the Roosters.
Sandwiched in between those losses was a win over the struggling Warriors, who have lost three of their last four games.
Yet despite their form slump, the Bulldogs still sit in third on the NRL ladder, thanks to a strong start to the season.
But there is a sense that the damage done by unsettling a spine that was thriving by bringing Galvin in mid-season could ultimately cost them the title.
A large part of that blame has been placed on the shoulders of Bulldogs supremo Phil Gould and coach Cameron Ciraldo.
While there have even been suggestions of a rift in the team.
However, Sexton played down all that talk, stating he has no hard feelings towards Galvin, who is simply doing what is best for him.
“There’s no issue with Lachy, not at all,” Sexton told Code Sports.
“At the end of the day, he chose the Bulldogs because he thinks that’s a side that will win a comp and where he can add value. He’s a kid who has come in, works hard and does his job at halfback. I can’t be critical of him.”
Billed as the next big thing at the Titans in 2021, Sexton’s NRL career went into free fall before Gould and Ciraldo gave him a lifeline.
Under the tutelage of Ciraldo, the playmaker quickly developed into one of the most consistent halves and played a pivotal role in the Bulldogs’ strong start to the season.
Sexton will head to the Super League next season after he was somewhat tapped on the shoulder by Gould and Ciraldo, following Galvin’s arrival.
But the halfback holds no ill will towards the pair, crediting them for turning his career and the Bulldogs around.
“Phil Gould is very good. He was the one with Cameron who took a chance on me in 2023, and at a stage of my career where I didn’t know where I was going,” Sexton continued.
“I was playing reserve grade for Tweed at the time (in the Queensland Cup) and wasn’t sure what I was going to do.
“Gus has been in a lot of great systems. You can’t fault his knowledge. He helped set up Penrith and the Roosters, and I realise why there have been so many good halves coming through at those clubs, it’s on the back of what he’s done.
“He’s a very honest character. He will let you know where you are at, whether you are doing well or you have stuff to work on, that’s what players appreciate the most from him.”
Next year, Sexton will join French Super League club Catalans, where he will replace Roosters veteran Luke Keary.
But at just 24 years of age, there is a good chance he will return to the NRL down the track.
In the meantime, Sexton says his sole focus is on trying to win a premiership with the Dogs.
While he is clearly on the outer, after being dropped for Galvin, if injuries strike, he may be able to once again turn the stuttering Dogs ship around and lead them to grand final glory.
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