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Bulldogs Debate Page

Zoz2025 said:
It seems official but not confirmed Galvin on the way . Feeling bit for Sexton the guy came when we needed him . Also Mahoney may go as well . He came also at a time when we were crap. I hope if they stay for the rest of this year and we can win the Comp for them . . Even Tracey gives it his all .
Looks like the plan is to keep Hayward and couple of up and coming juniors .
Hope Galvin shows passion for the Bulldogs. He will cop a lot of stick from opposition fans and players .
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Yeah I am thinking that we need to minimise the changes this season, but still find a way of using Galvin,

No one knows what Cirro and Gus are planning, if there is a definite plan.

In the semis the coach has to pick the best 17.

Fox also came when we were crap, when he became a negative we punted him.

Players have to think that their teammates have been treated fairly. Players also want to win and the coach to pick the best 17.

I have no idea how it is going to go down, but any negative is only for this season.
 
I think that this is about keeping our good young players as much as it is about getting Galvin. It is about the next 3-5 years.

If Sexton and Marhoney are leaving they are likely to get an opportunity at another club. It may even work better for them.

Just listening to Gus we need to Just sit back and wait to see how it plays out.

Cirro isn't doing anything that i wouldn't do. A coach can't afford to settle for second best and keep ignoring underperformance.

Even if Galvin doesn't come I'm happy to lose Sexton and Marhoney.

There is a chance that both play out this season in the top 17, and that Marhoney is here next year.
 
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I like the Galvin signing but it really only makes sense if he plays 5/8th.

Im not sure trying to manufacture him into a HB is the right thing to do right now.

I'd prefer he was 5/8th and partnered with either Sexxy or Hayward -even though both seem to have a penchant to turn the ball back in and it fools no one.

Burton will need to find another spot. I feel it will be unfair to throw Galvin into an uncomfortable role and cop the wrath of the public if it doesnt work out.
 
Marki said:
I like the Galvin signing but it really only makes sense if he plays 5/8th.

Im not sure trying to manufacture him into a HB is the right thing to do right now.

I'd prefer he was 5/8th and partnered with either Sexxy or Hayward -even though both seem to have a penchant to turn the ball back in and it fools no one.

Burton will need to find another spot. I feel it will be unfair to throw Galvin into an uncomfortable role and cop the wrath of the public if it doesnt work out.
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Can Xerri play wing?

He can run the ball and defend, but he needs to be able to catch the high balls.

Burto and Galvin could interchange at 5/8 and centre. We want Burton taking the long kicks.

Long-term Hayward hooker, O'Neill / Woods halfback, we don't want to mess with that.

Sometimes just get the best 17 in the team and then work out where they play.

I still think that Gavin or Burton could play a similar role to Hayward at lock with more running threat.
 
Don't underestimate the fact that players are working hard in defence and yardage and unforced errors from other players can be annoying, especially if they happen frequently.

Players like to win, and a guy that can add to the attack means that the hard work is rewarded frequently, and there is a bit less hard work.

I'm sure that Hutch was also popular.

Players love winning and seeing their hard work turn into results. Mates are mates, even if they are dropped to reserve grade, or they go to another club.
 
If Galvin does come the team will be under media scrutiny . They will be waiting to pounce on any negative news they can get out of the club.
Gus did say on a podcast all clubs will now be under pressure to keep the best 17 they can now that new teams are coming into the competition.
 
The media is always waiting to pounce on any negative news from any club.

Most probably Galvin plays in 14 or even plays reserve grade for a few weeks.

Hayward starting at 7 then moving to hooker is one option.

It is good timing, because some drama out of SOO is fairly common.

There will be other dramas at other clubs, that is just how things roll.

If we are without Burto or Critter for any reason we have another option.

I think Hayward, Gavin, O'Neill and Woods can cover half and Sexton might still be around.

Players like Sexton and Marhoney know that they need to perform if they want to fight for a spot in the top 17.

Sexton's confidence might take a hit, but we can try to help him.
 
Hope QLD can get the job done tonight. Lots of players out of form while NSW has picked players in-form.

Dont think Critta plays.
Didnt look like he'd last more than 10mins with that cork.

If he does play, i think the cork injury was staged all along.
 
Corks are pretty common, they would know if he could play.

I hope NSW win because Max King might be blamed/dropped in any panicked overreaction to a loss.

Teams are even, but the kicking game of Cleary and Moses is a definite end. Big games with quality well matched sides are won on kicking.

Muster can do some good kicks, but he isn't a long kicker. Ponga taking some kicks well help. But pressuring DCE on yardage kicks is a good idea.

The other edge is in the running game of the halves. Of the 4 halves DCE is less of a running threat.
 
I've decided how I would change the Dogs spine.

9. Hayward 7. O'Neill 14 Gavin

For this season the lock role that Hayward plays is ideal for Gavin. He can move to halfback if O'Neill needs to give Hayward a rest.

Rest of the team unchanged, in particular our edge attack on the left unchanged.

If we are going to change the spine it is best to make all changes in the one hit.

We need to improve our attack, because other sides are getting fitter and improving their attack.

The balance of the squad is Mann + 5 middle forwards. We have cover for injury/HIA in most positions.

9. Hayward 7. O'Neill has worked in the lower grades. My hope is better passing fewer errors, more footy smarts.

Galvin likes to be involved in the game, in our style of attack, lock is heavily involved. Should be as good as Hayward with more run threat.

So I am hoping that we can improve the attack a lot and not significantly weaken the defence.
 
Great win NSW.

DCE there are some nice retirement villages in QLD.

When the King is in your side, it is a royal win.
 
Coaches will be showing young kids video of how Critter defended in the centres in that SOO match for decades, absolute master class.
 
After listening to Masons podcast I’m confident that signing Galvin is the best move.

He said Galvin will start over Sexton if he earns the spot at training. Maybe even after starting off the bench at first. Coaching staff believe that Galvin can do the same job as Sexton but with more creativity.

He also mentioned Woods will be the long term seven. But that might be a year or more away. When that happens Burton will move to lock or centre and Galvin back in the 6 jersey.

That seems obvious in the long term. And I’m confident Mase knows more than most and is stupid enough to let things slip easier than most.
 
Woods and Galvin are around the same age.

Hayward who is one candidate for hooker is slightly older.

Cochrane seems to have potential at fullback and is a similar age.

Both O'Neill and Tia seem like guys that could play 14 and fill in in the halves as needed. Tia might be a great lock KO v2.

So in around 2 years we might have established a premiership winning spine that could last 10 years or more.

No point in rushing Woods or Galvin or moving Burton this season.

My other left field thought is Xerri at fullback, if he can catch the ball and organise the defence, I have no concerns about his attacking or yardage game.

I'm slightly anxious until Galvin is officially confirmed, his manager is slippery.

We also need to be realistic hanging on to Woods and Galvin will not be easy, we need a steady production of good replacement halves.

I also have a lot of faith in O'Neill, he can do a job at halfback and perhaps at hooker. I'm not sure how good our loer grade hookers are.
 
It is official Galvin has come . With the injuries and suspensions I am guessing he may slot into 14 . Keep Sexton and Burto in the starting lineup and interject him into the game.
Will probably be one of the most viewed game this year thus far .
 
Most likely, Galvin plays reserve grade, perhaps for a couple of games.

Or Hayward starts in place of Marhoney or Sexton with Galvin playing Hayward's role off the bench,

IMO overall odds reserve grade 40%, Marhoney dropped 35%, Sexton dropped 25%.

It is going to take a few weeks perhaps one month to bring Galvin up to speed on how we play.

Against Parra he could offer impact off the bench that makes a difference in a tight match.

We will find out, just don't expect an instant miracle.
 
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hd, I'm not sure aout the Galvin situation. Since he was announced there hav been rumours that Sexton, Mahoney and Morrin are looking for other clubs. I hope this move doesn't throw the rest of our season in disarray.
 
ODF i think Gus and Cirro know what they are doing.

We have 2 very good middle forwards coming next season.

I expect Morrin to play out the season. Marhoney and Sexton might play out the season.

Marhoney is exactly what the Titans need.

I don’t expect Sexton to be here in 2026.

The Parra game is important for us, not an easy game.

The media likes to create drama, players know that sometimes players need to move on or play reserve grade.

Similar for Taaffe, Hutch and Turpin this season.

Players are better off moving to a club where they can play regular first grade.

This isn't likely to happen again in future seasons.

Marhoney has gone backwards in the last 2 seasons. We don't seem to rate Sexton and I understand why.
 
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Broncos haven't won a game since they beat us.

Pretty even this season, we are trying to find a spine and forwards pack that can give us an edge.
 
That night was wet gronks got us on a bad night . Had two good comeback wins after that then fell away against the Fins. But with more than half team out . Gronks . I think have an issue with the coach. It seems.
Mahoney I think has contracts on his mind . Definitely players will be moved on now that we've got two more players coming next year as well.
Hopefully the team bands together and just keep continuing on on the path this year.
 
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