Two-time NRL premiership winner Justin Hodges says the Bulldogs won’t fire a shot in the finals and believes September football will “catch them out”.
The Bulldogs have faced continued criticism for their mid-season decision to replace Toby Sexton with Lachlan Galvin at halfback.
Sexton was first choice halfback for the Bulldogs through until Round 19.
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Sexton featured in 16 games at halfback for the Bulldogs this season, with the team recording 12 wins (75%).
Since Galvin took over as Bulldogs halfback in Round 20, from his seven games in the position, the Bulldogs have just four wins (57%).
Hodges played alongside halfback Shane Perry in the Broncos’ 2006 premiership win.
Hodges drew comparisons between Sexton and Perry and felt the Bulldogs should have left Sexton in the role.
“I think with Sexton, he was steady,” Hodges said on NRL 360 on Wednesday night.
“He reminded me of Shane Perry with (Broncos 2006 premiership winning five-eighth) Darren Lockyer.
“All he needed to do was his job because he had so many talented players out wide as well.”
Host Braith Anasta pressed Hodges further on whether he believes the Bulldogs are a better side with Galvin at halfback.
“Do you think they’ve improved?” Anasta asked Hodges.
“No, I don’t think they’ve improved,” Hodges replied.
Anasta interjected again.
“Do you think they can improve then?” Anasta asked.
“Look, the Bulldogs at the start of the year were renowned for their defence,” Hodges responded.
“They’ve gone away from that for whatever reason.”
The Bulldogs held the Knights and Rabbitohs to nil in consecutive games early in the season. Hodges, who also won a premiership with the Roosters in 2002, made reference to this.
“They were keeping sides to zero. They were keeping sides below 10 points as well.
“I don’t think they’ve gotten better, no.
“And I think finals time’s just really going to catch them out.”
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Panthers 2003 premiership winning captain Craig Gower questioned the Bulldogs’ decision to put Galvin at halfback, given his lack of experience in the position.
“It’s a tough one because they’ve put all their eggs in the basket of young Galvin and for me he wasn’t established enough to even play halfback, let alone just be thrown in there because he was a five-eighth,” Gower added.
“So it’s been a big call.
“I thought with Sexton, his game management was a lot better.”
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