Braith Anasta says Lachlan Galvin’s mid-season switch to the Bulldogs hasn’t been a success as Canterbury slumped to a third defeat in four games.
The Bulldogs suffered a 20-14 loss to the Storm in Melbourne on Friday night and the defeat has put the decision to replace Toby Sexton with Galvin at halfback in the spotlight again.
Prior to Galvin signing with the Bulldogs this season, Canterbury had won nine and lost only two of their 11 games and were sitting on top of the ladder.
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But the Bulldogs have only produced five wins from the 10 games Galvin has played for the club this season.
Anasta was honest when asked to give his assessment on Galvin’s performances with the Dogs so far.
“I don’t think it’s been a success, if you’re asking me that,” Anasta said on NRL 360 on Monday night.
“If you’re asking me, has it been a success?
“They got him there when they were coming first, and they got him there to evolve their attack to make sure it was better and more effective and more potent for semi-final football.
“And I haven’t seen that.
“He’s got time to turn it into a success and to change that before the finals and into the finals.
“But if you’re just going to go off his last three weeks, or even his last 10 weeks, you’ve got to remember they were coming first, they’ve only won 50 per cent of their games, his stats aren’t that good.”
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Veteran journalist Phil Rothfield pointed out the Bulldogs are no certainties to finish in the top four.
The Bulldogs are sitting in third position on 36 competition points with two rounds remaining.
The Warriors (fourth, 34 points), Broncos (fifth, 32 points) and Sharks (sixth, 32 points) could all mathematically finish above Canterbury.
It means the Bulldogs need to win one of their last two games to guarantee a top four spot.
The Bulldogs will play the Panthers and the Sharks in their last two games.
“You do realise the Bulldogs are not yet a lock in for the top four,” Rothfield said.
“If they lose both those games, I don’t think they’ll make the top four.
“Because I think the Sharks and the Broncos will move up.”
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