Lachlan Galvin, the halfback for the Bulldogs, may face time off the field as he undergoes scans for injuries to his hand and ankle. Following a surprising loss to his former team, the Wests Tigers, on Sunday, the 20-year-old’s availability for Canterbury’s round 23 match is now uncertain.
The news of Galvin’s injuries was reported by Danny Weidler from Nine on social media. Since transferring to the Bulldogs mid-season, his performances have been varied. Initially coming off the bench, Galvin eventually claimed the No. 7 jersey, taking over the starting position from Toby Sexton. His tenure in the starting lineup saw the Bulldogs secure victories over the Dragons and Sea Eagles, although they stumbled against the Tigers most recently.
If Galvin is unavailable, coach Cameron Ciraldo will have to make some tough decisions during this critical period leading to the finals. A natural choice to fill in for him would be Sexton, who has extensive experience at halfback. Alternatively, Bailey Hayward has also played in the halves previously.
An interesting factor in the situation is the presence of teenage halfback Mitchell Woods, who was named the 18th man against the Tigers, suggesting he might be on the verge of debuting in the NRL. Woods has shown impressive form in the lower grades and has represented NSW in the past two U19s State of Origin matches, making him a potential candidate to step up if needed.
As Canterbury prepares for the upcoming matches, the team’s focus will be on resolving the injury concerns surrounding Galvin, and ensuring they have a solid plan in place for the final stretch of the season.