‘I’m confused’: Dogs great baffled by suggestions Galvin will be halfback after Gould comments

Bulldogs great Braith Anasta has been left baffled by suggestions Lachlan Galvin is set to start the 2026 season as the club’s first choice halfback.

Anasta’s comments come after Bulldogs supremo Phil Gould declared that Galvin had never played halfback prior to joining the club mid-season.

Speaking on Channel 9’s 100% Footy on Monday night, Gould defended Galvin, who has come under heavy media scrutiny this season.

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“I thought he did outstandingly well coming in when he did to play as many games as he did for us under the pressure that he had, and he’s never played halfback before,” Gould said.

“He’s never played halfback in any junior football whatsoever. So it was a big ask from him and I think he’s done an outstanding job.”

There had been suggestions 19-year-old young gun Mitchell Woods would be at halfback for the Bulldogs, with Galvin at five-eighth.

But The Daily Telegraph reporter David Riccio said that wouldn’t be the case at the start of the season.

“I don’t think Mitch Woods starts (in) Round 1,” Riccio said on NRL 360 on Wednesday night.

“Put it that way, I think Matt Burton starts in the halves (in) Round 1.

Anasta then asked Riccio who would wear the number seven jersey.

“And who’s halfback?” Asked Anasta.

“Well, probably Galvin,” Riccio responded.

“He’s not a halfback,” Anasta said.

“According to Gus,” Riccio replied.

“I don’t know.”

Anasta then said he couldn’t work out what the Bulldogs’ plans were.

“I’m confused,” Anasta said.

Panellist Dan Ginnane then interjected.

“You seem very frustrated. As a Doggies man, you seem very frustrated,” Ginnane said to Anasta.

“I’m biting my tongue because people think I’m having a crack at the Bulldogs but really, I’m trying to work out what’s going on there,” Anasta said.

“I’m trying to get to the bottom of it.”

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Anasta then asked Riccio for clarity on the situation.

“So you think that Galvin is going to start the year as number seven next year,” Anasta asked Riccio.

“I think Mitchell Woods will have to take time, unless he plays lights out (in) pre-season trials,” Riccio replied.

Anasta then made reference to Gould’s comments.

“But don’t you think that’s fascinating given the circumstances this year and the comments made by Gus?” He asked Riccio.

“Absolutely, yeah I do,” Riccio replied.

“However, in the long run, Mitch Woods will be the halfback, Galvin will be six, I think Burton’s a genuine chance to play centre.”