A Bulldogs great says the club’s loyal fan base “could turn” on the team if they are bundled out of the finals in straight sets this Sunday.
NRL360 host Braith Anasta says it wouldn’t surprise him if the club’s fan base changed their tune on Lachlan Galvin if they lose to the Panthers at Accor Stadium.
Watch every game of the NRL Telstra Premiership Finals Series before the Grand Final, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
“The Dogs fans are sticking solid but I can tell you if they lose this weekend, that may change. They may turn,” Anasta said on Thursday.
WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
Foxsports.com.au’s Paul Crawley agreed, saying: “If the Bulldogs lose, there will be uproar from their fans.”
The warning came amid a heated debate over whether Galvin‘s signing has paid off.
After the talented playmaker agitated for a release from the Tigers and signed with the Bulldogs mid-season, in what has been the biggest story of the 2025 season, the Dogs parachuted Galvin into their line-up.
At the time, the Bulldogs were sitting pretty atop the ladder, and while they would end up finishing third, there were some rocky moments in the back end of the season.
Moreover, the club is facing a potential straight sets exit from the finals with a semi against the all-conquering Panthers next on the docket.
Galvin, who has been playing mostly at five-eighth, has mixed his form in Bulldogs colours. His arrival was also a contributing factor to why Toby Sexton and Reed Mahoney will be forced out of the club at season’s end.
Given how messy the exit was from the Tigers, Anasta wondered if the Tigers will get the “last laugh” if the Bulldogs are bundled out this weekend.
That question led to a fiery debate between journalists Paul Crawley and Brent Read.
MORE NRL NEWS
TALKING PTS: ‘Smartest in a long time’ – Ivan’s finals masterstroke; clutch query
‘RIP UP HIS CONTRACT’: How Robbo saved Radley from axe amid Roosters sanctions
CRAWLS: Glaring question facing under-fire halves as delusional star ignores truth
“He had one run!” Smith’s doing his job? | 04:03
“When Lachie Galvin went to the club he said ‘I want to step out of my comfort zone’, but has it worked out best for him and for the Dogs?” Crawley said.
“The Tigers fans will cheer if they don’t win and regardless of the outcome on Sunday, Lachlan Galvin will continue to be the biggest story on Sunday night. Win, lose or draw.
“It’s been six months. It’s a five year journey. You can’t say this has been an abject failure because of just this season,” Read responded.
“You can’t put a line through Lachlan Galvin. They’ve signed him for a long time believing he was a player who was going to get better and better and better.”
“When he came to the Bulldogs, they were sitting on top of the ladder. Things were rocking.”
“They weren’t rocking. They were faltering,” Read interjected.
“They weren’t rocking, they were stumbling. Look at their results.”
Discussion about this post