Bulldogs the new Roosters?

[Equaliser]

Was a solid game.

Was an even match with a busted Cleary and To'o.

Penrith, whilst climbing the ladder, aren't what they used to be, and the Bulldogs are a level below that.

I think if you look at their attack, whilst Sexton is playing well, the addition of Galvin is somewhat confusing to the side. And they are now in a situation where they kind of don't know how to use him, and he will come off the bench for the rest of the year, and play the last 1/4.

I don't see their forwards dominating in the tough games. And I don't see the creativity in the halves. Youd think every team under the sun would be after Sexton. However, no word about clubs circling despite the Galvin signing. That speaks volumes, yet sexton keeps Galvin out. And whilst they die on the hill of uncertainty, pressure grows to win something.

I've seen Galvin play a number of games and I've seen absolutely nothing to justify the hype. He digs right into the line before passing which is good but that's all he does well as far as I've seen.

 

[257Matt]

I thought Bulldogs played well tonight. Was a pretty even match as the scoreboard suggested. No one has yet smashed their little forwards all over the park in the first 40 and then ran riot in the second 40 like we did. I'm sure it'll happen in the finals.

Was a solid game.

Was an even match with a busted Cleary and To'o.

Penrith, whilst climbing the ladder, aren't what they used to be, and the Bulldogs are a level below that.

I think if you look at their attack, whilst Sexton is playing well, the addition of Galvin is somewhat confusing to the side. And they are now in a situation where they kind of don't know how to use him, and he will come off the bench for the rest of the year, and play the last 1/4.

I don't see their forwards dominating in the tough games. And I don't see the creativity in the halves. Youd think every team under the sun would be after Sexton. However, no word about clubs circling despite the Galvin signing. That speaks volumes, yet sexton keeps Galvin out. And whilst they die on the hill of uncertainty, pressure grows to win something.

I've seen Galvin play a number of games and I've seen absolutely nothing to justify the hype. He digs right into the line before passing which is good but that's all he does well as far as I've seen.

Last nights game was a real tough defensive grind one of the best of the season.

Dolph the only 3 teams that actually worry me as a Bulldogs fan aren't in the top 4. Dolphins with Katoa can play direct and they can score from no where on the field with the speed of Hammer, Averillo and Herbie. Bostock is a massive loss in the speed department. Dolphins do lack form and consistency costing them a shot at top 4. Penrith are seasoned professionals and are finding ways to win ugly games with Cleary he's the best club halfback in the game (Moses best origin halfback under whelming at club Eels won more with Footy Dean this year). The other is Broncos because they are the best team on paper. Canberra play a real power game but lack the fitness to sustain a team willing to scrap and fight for every play as we saw a few weeks ago when Canterbury over whelmed them.

As for Galvin I said on another platform this is the real gamble roll of the dice moment for Gould. Canterbury were winning the battle everywhere last night and holding onto the 6-2 lead but as soon as Galvin came on the momentum and control went Penrith's way. They also became the first team to target a weakness in Burton's long kicking game as teams for some reason have never pressured him on the long kicks Cleary went for the charge down and won hands down. Galvin could elevate Canterbury to the next level or implode their season. The fact the game changed in the negative last night when Galvin came on has quite rightly allowed an open season.

I rate Sexton and rated him when he was at Titans long long before he was on the Bulldogs radar and even posted in one of the Dolphins forums in early 2023 for Dolphins to see if Titans want him when O'Sullivan did his pec and Milford was busted. In hindsight for Dolphins sake glad they didn't use no.30 spot on Sexton as a few weeks later they signed a real energiser goer from Wynnum after he scored two tries against Redcliffe. Max Plath is an absolute keeper. No club has showed serious interest and Liverbird with Phins up we can at least agree on this one - we know why Dragons won't be keen to sign Sexton and they wouldn't exactly rush to sign Cleary, Hughes, Katoa or peak Joey for the same reason a real problem that everyone can see bar one person.

Last night was a great game I was happy with the Bulldogs effort and commitment they do have some issues with their attack and squad balance to sort out. This is Gould's roll of the dice.

 

[Equaliser]

Last nights game was a real tough defensive grind one of the best of the season.

Dolph the only 3 teams that actually worry me as a Bulldogs fan aren't in the top 4. Dolphins with Katoa can play direct and they can score from no where on the field with the speed of Hammer, Averillo and Herbie. Bostock is a massive loss in the speed department. Dolphins do lack form and consistency costing them a shot at top 4. Penrith are seasoned professionals and are finding ways to win ugly games with Cleary he's the best club halfback in the game (Moses best origin halfback under whelming at club Eels won more with Footy Dean this year). The other is Broncos because they are the best team on paper. Canberra play a real power game but lack the fitness to sustain a team willing to scrap and fight for every play as we saw a few weeks ago when Canterbury over whelmed them.

As for Galvin I said on another platform this is the real gamble roll of the dice moment for Gould. Canterbury were winning the battle everywhere last night and holding onto the 6-2 lead but as soon as Galvin came on the momentum and control went Penrith's way. They also became the first team to target a weakness in Burton's long kicking game as teams for some reason have never pressured him on the long kicks Cleary went for the charge down and won hands down. Galvin could elevate Canterbury to the next level or implode their season. The fact the game changed in the negative last night when Galvin came on has quite rightly allowed an open season.

I rate Sexton and rated him when he was at Titans long long before he was on the Bulldogs radar and even posted in one of the Dolphins forums in early 2023 for Dolphins to see if Titans want him when O'Sullivan did his pec and Milford was busted. In hindsight for Dolphins sake glad they didn't use no.30 spot on Sexton as a few weeks later they signed a real energiser goer from Wynnum after he scored two tries against Redcliffe. Max Plath is an absolute keeper. No club has showed serious interest and Liverbird with Phins up we can at least agree on this one - we know why Dragons won't be keen to sign Sexton and they wouldn't exactly rush to sign Cleary, Hughes, Katoa or peak Joey for the same reason a real problem that everyone can see bar one person.

Last night was a great game I was happy with the Bulldogs effort and commitment they do have some issues with their attack and squad balance to sort out. This is Gould's roll of the dice.

The thing with Galvin is obviously the coach and Phil Gould weren't confident in the team they had.

 

[Equaliser]

Bulldogs are unfit and lacking size up front. I would recommend Josh Kerr who would walk into their team but the way Woolf has him playing and the well documented lack of salary cap space, Bulldogs might find it hard to recruit even him. Even cheaper still they might be interested in getting one last year out of Mark Nicholls.

 

[Red]

Can we call that the end of the Bulldogs?

Their NRLW side looks to be a genuine contender.

 

[midlands hobo]

Bulldogs are unfit and lacking size up front. I would recommend Josh Kerr who would walk into their team but the way Woolf has him playing and the well documented lack of salary cap space, Bulldogs might find it hard to recruit even him. Even cheaper still they might be interested in getting one last year out of Mark Nicholls.

don't forget what they've lost to the origin squad

 

[257Matt]

Their NRLW side looks to be a genuine contender.

Newcastle lost 2 of their 3 best players. Canberra is actually my NRLW team due to the friendship I have with the Soliola family and next year will be Newcastle when my cousins daughter is promoted to the 24 she's not 18 until seasons end so has to wait another year. I will keep an eye on Saints if Jack's sister gets onto the field during the year.

 

[257Matt]

Bulldogs are unfit and lacking size up front. I would recommend Josh Kerr who would walk into their team but the way Woolf has him playing and the well documented lack of salary cap space, Bulldogs might find it hard to recruit even him. Even cheaper still they might be interested in getting one last year out of Mark Nicholls.

don't forget what they've lost to the origin squad

Their NRLW side looks to be a genuine contender.

Last night was no good for the NRL side that was a complete collapse I totally get this I didn't think all the last minute changes were good and we played a Broncos side with a lot of one week absences I think only Hunt and Te Kura would for more than this week. A lot of what Ciraldo has been building Canterbury on was connection, team bond, working hard for each other, togetherness and chemistry but signing Galvin has whacked so much out of it and yes he is very talented I don't think he's as good as Strange from Canberra. Just to fit Galvin into the team last night the 5/8 went to left centre, left centre to right centre (didn't work vs Dolphins), not sure why Montoya was on right wing and told the halfback he's not wanted next year. Canterbury weren't in trouble just two losses with two very poor halves and they were cruising in top spot but Gus has found recruitment a piece of cake and tried to have another piece of cake with Galvin. And you will all find this interesting when I mentioned the connection, togetherness, bond and chemistry and said Gould has rolled the dice on speeding up the premiership process which was on track anyways this year or next without Galvin but has risked at the same time of it backfiring I was told by a Bulldogs fan to F-off to Dolphins and received a Gould/Ciraldo/Galvin comparison to Bennett/Katoa which nothing alike. Katoa was at Dolphins from day one, he out trained & performed Milford & Nikorima before 2023 season to get the Round 1 start, he out performed O'Sullivan for most stages last year and this year to get the starts, he deserves every wrap he's getting, he's been able to destroy two trends in NRL this year and I've had some humdingers on Twitter with those who don't rate Katoa.

 

[257Matt]

Come out come out wherever you are Matt

I've posted in the non-Dolphins section following respectful directions Red asked from me

 

[Chris]

Last night was no good for the NRL side that was a complete collapse I totally get this I didn't think all the last minute changes were good and we played a Broncos side with a lot of one week absences I think only Hunt and Te Kura would for more than this week. A lot of what Ciraldo has been building Canterbury on was connection, team bond, working hard for each other, togetherness and chemistry but signing Galvin has whacked so much out of it and yes he is very talented I don't think he's as good as Strange from Canberra. Just to fit Galvin into the team last night the 5/8 went to left centre, left centre to right centre (didn't work vs Dolphins), not sure why Montoya was on right wing and told the halfback he's not wanted next year. Canterbury weren't in trouble just two losses with two very poor halves and they were cruising in top spot but Gus has found recruitment a piece of cake and tried to have another piece of cake with Galvin. And you will all find this interesting when I mentioned the connection, togetherness, bond and chemistry and said Gould has rolled the dice on speeding up the premiership process which was on track anyways this year or next without Galvin but has risked at the same time of it backfiring I was told by a Bulldogs fan to F-off to Dolphins and received a Gould/Ciraldo/Galvin comparison to Bennett/Katoa which nothing alike. Katoa was at Dolphins from day one, he out trained & performed Milford & Nikorima before 2023 season to get the Round 1 start, he out performed O'Sullivan for most stages last year and this year to get the starts, he deserves every wrap he's getting, he's been able to destroy two trends in NRL this year and I've had some humdingers on Twitter with those who don't rate Katoa.

That's a very balanced assessment. I feel them recruiting Galvin was a mistake because he's a 5/8 or nothing but Burton is mostly wasted at centre. I think Gould f++ked up.

 

[257Matt]

That's a very balanced assessment. I feel them recruiting Galvin was a mistake because he's a 5/8 or nothing but Burton is mostly wasted at centre. I think Gould f++ked up.

Thanks. It was always going to be a very high risk signing Galvin is a very arrogant, spoilt and entitled person and shows that with how he plays and not mentally tough he's very talented for sure but not as level headed, humble or grounded as Katoa or Strange.

The Bulldogs weren't hit by injuries in the spine and weren't struggling they were cruising at the top of the ladder even with blimps against Broncos & Dolphins just before Galvin came and their team was tracking nicely with Ciraldo getting them committed, connected and playing for each other with a premiership on track this year or next year. Gould wanted the premiership this year and was prepared to roll the dice on all or nothing not a consistent build on the way up.

They've now opened themselves up for a week full of negative headlines and wall to wall discussion on all the various shows not sure how Bloke In A Bar where Bulldogs are the no.2 team for the 3 main hosts, James Graham and Willie Mason will defend this. Braith Anasta has already showed he won't be defending the Galvin situation at Bulldogs and he loathes Wests Tigers making it worse. This all after being given a dream draw, cashing in on that and all flowing rather nicely.

 

[Liverbird with Phins up]

That's a very balanced assessment. I feel them recruiting Galvin was a mistake because he's a 5/8 or nothing but Burton is mostly wasted at centre. I think Gould f++ked up.

Yep Gould showing everyone the myth he is.

Not only ly did he fuck up. He fucked the team culture as well. Who wants to play at a club where youre fucked over and got rid off, despite performing well.

 

[Josh]

Thanks. It was always going to be a very high risk signing Galvin is a very arrogant, spoilt and entitled person and shows that with how he plays and not mentally tough he's very talented for sure but not as level headed, humble or grounded as Katoa or Strange.

The Bulldogs weren't hit by injuries in the spine and weren't struggling they were cruising at the top of the ladder even with blimps against Broncos & Dolphins just before Galvin came and their team was tracking nicely with Ciraldo getting them committed, connected and playing for each other with a premiership on track this year or next year. Gould wanted the premiership this year and was prepared to roll the dice on all or nothing not a consistent build on the way up.

They've now opened themselves up for a week full of negative headlines and wall to wall discussion on all the various shows not sure how Bloke In A Bar where Bulldogs are the no.2 team for the 3 main hosts, James Graham and Willie Mason will defend this. Braith Anasta has already showed he won't be defending the Galvin situation at Bulldogs and he loathes Wests Tigers making it worse. This all after being given a dream draw, cashing in on that and all flowing rather nicely.

Good luck with Galvin. We won't swap him for Katoa under any circumstances.

 

[257Matt]

Good luck with Galvin. We won't swap him for Katoa under any circumstances.

Josh A few of us were having the Katoa discussion during the week who would sign him & what clubs do if he was open to all bidders. We all agreed of the 18 clubs including North Sydney that 16 would want him as halfback yes Eels & Storm would move on their 31yo halfback, Gus would even trade in Galvin, Penrith one of the two who wouldn’t have him halfback they offer him 5/8 and the only club that wouldn’t want Katoa is Dragons and we know why in that case……

Yes the Galvin issue is going to create more than teething issues and Canterbury have built everything on connectivity and team work.

Woolf said on Triple M Saturday Scrum after Panthers game whoever comes to Dolphins has to work with Katoa being halfback it was a question in reference to DCE. I absolutely love watching Katoa play and I’m so glad he’s so dialled into the Dolphins. He’s the player that’ll inspire a new generation of Dolphins fans.

 

[Josh]

Josh A few of us were having the Katoa discussion during the week who would sign him & what clubs do if he was open to all bidders. We all agreed of the 18 clubs including North Sydney that 16 would want him as halfback yes Eels & Storm would move on their 31yo halfback, Gus would even trade in Galvin, Penrith one of the two who wouldn’t have him halfback they offer him 5/8 and the only club that wouldn’t want Katoa is Dragons and we know why in that case……

Yes the Galvin issue is going to create more than teething issues and Canterbury have built everything on connectivity and team work.

Woolf said on Triple M Saturday Scrum after Panthers game whoever comes to Dolphins has to work with Katoa being halfback it was a question in reference to DCE. I absolutely love watching Katoa play and I’m so glad he’s so dialled into the Dolphins. He’s the player that’ll inspire a new generation of Dolphins fans.

Makes sense.

 

[Red]

Josh A few of us were having the Katoa discussion during the week who would sign him & what clubs do if he was open to all bidders. We all agreed of the 18 clubs including North Sydney that 16 would want him as halfback yes Eels & Storm would move on their 31yo halfback, Gus would even trade in Galvin, Penrith one of the two who wouldn’t have him halfback they offer him 5/8 and the only club that wouldn’t want Katoa is Dragons and we know why in that case……

Yes the Galvin issue is going to create more than teething issues and Canterbury have built everything on connectivity and team work.

Woolf said on Triple M Saturday Scrum after Panthers game whoever comes to Dolphins has to work with Katoa being halfback it was a question in reference to DCE. I absolutely love watching Katoa play and I’m so glad he’s so dialled into the Dolphins. He’s the player that’ll inspire a new generation of Dolphins fans.

Phil Gould would trade Katoa for Galvin without even thinking about it. He'd trade them and throw in a few 100k a year for the duration of Katoa's contract. I don't know how Galvin became this big name. I guess it was on account of being in first grade so soon. From what I've seen, it certainly isn't on account of his form or ability. Not saying he's rubbish. Looks like a solid first grader but I doubt he'll ever be selected for Origin unless NSW have a 5/8 crisis.

 

[257Matt]

Phil Gould would trade Katoa for Galvin without even thinking about it. He'd trade them and throw in a few 100k a year for the duration of Katoa's contract. I don't know how Galvin became this big name. I guess it was on account of being in first grade so soon. From what I've seen, it certainly isn't on account of his form or ability. Not saying he's rubbish. Looks like a solid first grader but I doubt he'll ever be selected for Origin unless NSW have a 5/8 crisis.

The 5/8 going under so many radars and strangely enough only Gould has mentioned him during a women's origin game as a future origin prospect is Ethan Strange. He's been a massive step up for Canberra from their previous 5/8 who has many big moments not enough substantial moments.

I'm not as convinced on Galvin as a lot of Canterbury fans and I don't think he suits our style, chemistry and the system we're building. We been playing a style where it's been all about togetherness, connection, team work & being there for each other. Galvin is very different to what Ciraldo is trying to develop he's me first, spoiled, entitled and arrogant. I mentioned this on the "Canterbury Bulldogs Supporters Page" on Facebook which is my Bulldogs place of posting and I got roasted one even said F-off to Dolphins, worry about Katoa and rambled on about Bennett's handling of Katoa. There's been no walk up start for Katoa he was signed to a Top 30 deal on promise but he out-played and out-trained Milford and Nikorima in the 2023 pre-season to earn that Round 1 position and Donoghoe done the same as well to go from train & trial deal to bench spot in Round 1. Katoa missed out to O'Sullivan for Round 1 last year and was happy to play for Norths and got a recall he again has had to work hard.

I'm in the minority of Canterbury fans who would have preferred the club to keep JMK over Mahoney and more so after what JMK done for Canterbury in 2022. I was happy Dolphins signed JMK as I'm a huge fan of his same as I am with Averillo too. But Mahoney has been part of a real competitive change at Canterbury and now moved on I'm still not his biggest fan just not sure it's the best move to let him go a year early.

I've got a massive wrap on Toby Sexton and he's been good since coming to the Bulldogs he has something like the 2nd highest win % of the current players for the Bulldogs after Kurt Mann. It might just be coincidence with Sexton as Donoghoe's win % at Dolphins is like over 60% when the next best min 10 games is hovering at 50% but there's a lot of merit with Sexton as there is with Donoghoe. In fact in early 2023 when O'Sullivan injured his pec, Milford wasn't working out and Nikorima struggled to get his spot until that Cowboys game in Round 6 (Hammer, Gilbert, Isaako show) I wrote on one of the Facebook pages the club should try and get Sexton as he was out of favour with Justin Holbrook and killing it for Tweed Heads. I'm glad in hindsight Dolphins didn't not because Canterbury signed him but they used that vacant spot to sign Max Plath.

We all said Gould would trade Galvin and Burton for Katoa. I even think Storm and Eels would push for Hughes and Moses to take the final pay day from North Sydney Perth to sign Katoa. I just love how Katoa is really going next level and he's smashing two trends right now. What's so great about Katoa is how humble, well mannered and team orientated he is.

Signing Galvin the way it was all done has created extra pressure and headlines that a team cruising in top spot already didn't need. It's made the Bulldogs cannon fodder for the media this week we are just lucky there's an Origin game, Ricky Stuart's crazy outburst last night and Wests Tigers still to make a meme of themselves.

 

[Equaliser]

The 5/8 going under so many radars and strangely enough only Gould has mentioned him during a women's origin game as a future origin prospect is Ethan Strange. He's been a massive step up for Canberra from their previous 5/8 who has many big moments not enough substantial moments.

I'm not as convinced on Galvin as a lot of Canterbury fans and I don't think he suits our style, chemistry and the system we're building. We been playing a style where it's been all about togetherness, connection, team work & being there for each other. Galvin is very different to what Ciraldo is trying to develop he's me first, spoiled, entitled and arrogant. I mentioned this on the "Canterbury Bulldogs Supporters Page" on Facebook which is my Bulldogs place of posting and I got roasted one even said F-off to Dolphins, worry about Katoa and rambled on about Bennett's handling of Katoa. There's been no walk up start for Katoa he was signed to a Top 30 deal on promise but he out-played and out-trained Milford and Nikorima in the 2023 pre-season to earn that Round 1 position and Donoghoe done the same as well to go from train & trial deal to bench spot in Round 1. Katoa missed out to O'Sullivan for Round 1 last year and was happy to play for Norths and got a recall he again has had to work hard.

I'm in the minority of Canterbury fans who would have preferred the club to keep JMK over Mahoney and more so after what JMK done for Canterbury in 2022. I was happy Dolphins signed JMK as I'm a huge fan of his same as I am with Averillo too. But Mahoney has been part of a real competitive change at Canterbury and now moved on I'm still not his biggest fan just not sure it's the best move to let him go a year early.

I've got a massive wrap on Toby Sexton and he's been good since coming to the Bulldogs he has something like the 2nd highest win % of the current players for the Bulldogs after Kurt Mann. It might just be coincidence with Sexton as Donoghoe's win % at Dolphins is like over 60% when the next best min 10 games is hovering at 50% but there's a lot of merit with Sexton as there is with Donoghoe. In fact in early 2023 when O'Sullivan injured his pec, Milford wasn't working out and Nikorima struggled to get his spot until that Cowboys game in Round 6 (Hammer, Gilbert, Isaako show) I wrote on one of the Facebook pages the club should try and get Sexton as he was out of favour with Justin Holbrook and killing it for Tweed Heads. I'm glad in hindsight Dolphins didn't not because Canterbury signed him but they used that vacant spot to sign Max Plath.

We all said Gould would trade Galvin and Burton for Katoa. I even think Storm and Eels would push for Hughes and Moses to take the final pay day from North Sydney Perth to sign Katoa. I just love how Katoa is really going next level and he's smashing two trends right now. What's so great about Katoa is how humble, well mannered and team orientated he is.

Signing Galvin the way it was all done has created extra pressure and headlines that a team cruising in top spot already didn't need. It's made the Bulldogs cannon fodder for the media this week we are just lucky there's an Origin game, Ricky Stuart's crazy outburst last night and Wests Tigers still to make a meme of themselves.

Every club but Penrith would sign Katoa is he was on the market. Penrith due to Cleary having at least 6 years left, probably more like 8.

 

[257Matt]

Every club but Penrith would sign Katoa is he was on the market. Penrith due to Cleary having at least 6 years left, probably more like 8.

Penrith would offer him 5/8.

Shane Flanagan wouldn’t sign Katoa as the main playmaker LOL

 

[Equaliser]

Watching the Tigers-Roosters game now. I'm almost certain Bulldogs poached the wrong Tigers half.