Andrew Johns has expressed strong concerns about Lachlan Galvin’s suitability as an NRL halfback, suggesting he is more suited to the five-eighth position in the long term. This critique comes in the wake of a lacklustre performance by the Canterbury Bulldogs against the Brisbane Broncos, where they lost 32-12. Johns argues that coach Cameron Ciraldo should consider unearthing young halfback Mitchell Woods, currently sidelined with a hamstring injury, as a viable option once he recovers.
Following the defeat, Ciraldo defended his choice to keep Galvin at halfback, highlighting his earlier standout performance against the Panthers. He noted, "He’s a 20-year-old half at the moment," signalling confidence in Galvin’s potential. However, during a discussion on Nine’s The Sunday Footy Show, Johns urged a rethink of this strategy, stating that Matt Burton excels as a five-eighth and requires a more traditional halfback partner.
Johns further elaborated that while Galvin is still developing his skills and desires to possess the ball, he perceives him as better suited for a five-eighth role. He remarked, “He’s building his game… but he’s going to Jacob Preston too often. He still needs to grasp his role fully." In his opinion, introducing Woods, who has been highly regarded as a prodigious talent despite his injury challenges, could be beneficial for the team.
Johns sees low risk in bringing Woods into the senior squad when fit. He believes that the extensive work put into Woods over the years outweighs the uncertainties of debuting him in first grade. The Bulldogs have struggled offensively, managing to score their first points against the Broncos only in the 56th minute while missing out on other opportunities, with their scoring record this season trailing only behind the last-placed Dragons.
Possible adjustments Ciraldo might consider include shifting Galvin to five-eighth, moving Burton into the centres, and reinstating Sean O’Sullivan as halfback. Johns pointed out that the Bulldogs’ creative struggles originate from their spine, noting the absence of a consistent running threat from dummy-half and the distribution-oriented nature of players like Jake Turpin and Bailey Hayward.
Brad Fittler has praise for Woods, recognising his versatile skill set and awareness, despite his injury limitations this season. Billy Slater suggested that immediate improvements lie in players focusing on executing the fundamentals effectively, referencing teams like Brisbane who commit to intensity rather than searching for simple fixes.
With the Bulldogs currently placed 10th, they gear up to face the eighth-placed Cowboys at Accor Stadium this Friday, in a match crucial for their upward mobility on the ladder.