The Bulldogs’ decision to put their faith in Lachlan Galvin to wear the No. 7 jersey copped criticism, but the young star and coach Cameron Ciraldo had the last laugh on Saturday night.
Despite the Sea Eagles’ stunning upset win over the Storm, an NRL legend believes Anthony Seibold needs to make a huge change to his backline.
Meanwhile, the Roosters’ finals hopes took a significant body blow this weekend and with a horror run home to come, Trent Robinson may need to pull off a near miracle if the club wants to finish in the top eight.
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Read on for all of the big talking points to come out of Round 20.
‘SPECIAL’ GALVIN PLAY JUSTIFIES GUTSY CIRALDO CALL
Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo pulled somewhat of a shock move at the selection table last Tuesday when he dropped halfback Toby Sexton to reserve grade to accommodate flashy recruit Lachlan Galvin.
It was a decision that was criticised by many, given Sexton’s form has been solid enough for a team that has spent the majority of this season on top of the ladder.
Yet Ciraldo has always believed there was massive room for improvement in his team’s attack.
It’s part of the reason he desperately wanted Galvin at the club and helped orchestrate a mid-season coup for the exciting youngster.
Even though Galvin’s arrival has upset the apple cart, given the Dogs’ mixed performances in the past six weeks, it’s clear that the 20-year-old playmaker is the future at Belmore.
That was no more evident on Saturday night, when Galvin, in his first game starting at halfback for the club, set up the Bulldogs’ match-winning try in the dying minutes against the Dragons.
“Cometh the moment, cometh the man,” Dan Ginnane said in commentary after Galvin’s terrific cut out ball to Jethro Rinakama.
“You couldn’t write this stuff.”
Former star halfback Shaun Johnson labelled Galvin’s play special, believing Galvin has potentially changed the narrative around himself.
“This ball here was special. When you are digging into the line like that, you’re throwing that ball blindly into space. You cannot see your winger at that moment but you just know you have to get the pill there and he does that,” Johnson said.
“How fast can the narrative change. All the pressure on him, comes up with the pass at the right moment and gets the two points for his side.”
While he came up with the clutch play at the right moment, Galvin was a little quiet at times against the Dragons.
Although, as Fox League’s Matty Johns noted, it’s a huge adjustment for a young player to slot into the all important halfback position mid-season.
“It’s a big ask to actually go into a whole new system of play mid year when you’re trying to learn the system and then have to steer the whole side around,” Johns said.
Bryan Fletcher believes the Bulldogs will stick with Galvin for the rest of the season now, predicting Sexton has likely played his last NRL game for the club.
Sexton has signed a deal from 2026 with Super League side Catalans Dragons.
“He was a little bit rusty and I think the outside men of the Bulldogs are getting used to his style of play,” Fletcher said on Sunday Night with Matty Johns.
“I feel sorry for Toby Sexton but I feel like we won’t see him back in the side barring injury.”
Galvin guides Dogs to comeback win | 01:58
DOLPHINS ON FIRE DESPITE INJURY WOES AS COWBOYS IMPLODE
The Dolphins look like making their maiden finals appearance this year after torching the Cowboys 43-24 to move back into the top eight and they are now stalking the Storm for the best attack and best points differential in the game.
On the back of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Isaiya Katoa, the Dolphins attack has exploded after a slow start to the year and they can match it with any team in the competition in that department.
Matty Johns believes it will be a massive disappointment if the Dolphins don’t make the finals given how well they are playing.
“The first 60 minutes the Dolphins were unbelievable and you thought they were going to win by 50 points,” Johns said.
“Honestly they have got to play finals this year. They are a great side to watch and they have shown what a quality team they are.
“If they don’t play finals this year it should be a huge disappointment.”
Bryan Fletcher also noted the amount of forwards the Dolphins are missing through injury, which makes their performances even more impressive.
“They have no right to be where they are when you look at their forward that are out,” Fletcher said.
“Not including Tom Flegler, but they have got Saifiti, Kaufusi, Plath and Gilbert who are starters in that team.
“If they do make the semi finals there is an argument for Kristian Woolf to be Dally M coach of the year.
“We know they have got the speed and the pace out wide, but the kids that have come into the side like Kurt Donoghoe are just going fantastic.
“They have put nearly 100 points on the Cowboys in the last six weeks, so it would be great to see them in the semis.”
On the flip side the Cowboys have continued their inconsistent season to all but end their hopes of playing finals and Johns blasted their defensive display against the Dolphins.
“The Cowboys fair dinkum they are inconsistent,” Johns said.
“Last week against the Bulldogs they nearly pinched a win. The first 60 minutes of this game honestly what a giant turd of a performance it was and an unflushable one at that.
“They showed once they get on a roll that they can really score points, but defensively they are the worst defensive side in the competition.”
Nate Myles believes the Cowboys are guilty of not trying in some games in defence.
“Defence is about attitude and some games the Cowboys look like they have a lot of effort and then other games it doesn’t look like there is much effort there.
“They are not on the same page and sometimes the more you try the worse it gets and at the moment that’s what looks like is happening there.”
Phins back in the eight after huge win | 02:48
BENNETT STARING AT CAREER FIRST AS SOUTHS’ INJURY WOES CONTINUE
The Rabbitohs are a real chance of giving Wayne Bennett the first wooden spoon off his long career after their injury curse continued in a 30-10 loss to the Panthers.
Souths’ best player all year Keaon Koloamatangi went down with an ankle injury, while hooker Peter Mamouzelos suffered a concussion as Souths were soundly beaten.
“Wayne is trying to avoid his first wooden spoon in his illustrious career and we know that they are up against it with this horrendous injury toll,” Lara Pitt said on Fox League.
“But the big concern is another injury to Keaon Koloamatangi who went down with an ankle injury.”
Cooper Cronk was in awe of Bennett avoiding a wooden spoon his whole career and believes he will be motivated to keep that streak alive over the last seven rounds.
“Wayne Bennett is a hall of fame coach and has never won a wooden spoon,” Cronk said.
“That is some achievement. That is extraordinary because you think about the Titans on the bottom and Des Hasler has never won one and Wayne Bennett has never won one.
“That would be something that he wants to avoid and with all those injuries and Koloamatangi on top of that, they are running very thin when it comes to talent pool.
“Geez it is going to be a big tough back end of the year for South Sydney because there could be some noise coming there way in the next couple of weeks if they can’t jag a win.
“And the Titans if they can just jag one at some stage and get lucky, it will come down to two coaches that have coached longer than most people have been involved in our game, just might get a wooden spoon in one of their last years.”
The Rabbitohs face the Sharks, Broncos, Titans, Eels, Dragons and the Roosters to finish the season and with the players they have out Greg Alexander believes winning any of those games might be too difficult.
“With the troops that they haven’t got, it doesn’t matter who they play it will be a battle,” Alexander said.
There are reports Souths will have to call up players from the Queensland Cup just to field a team next week and Cronk believes they are lacking the class players you need to win in the NRL.
“When you talk about their ability to win games, tonight they were down 18-0 at halftime and just defensively couldn’t stop Penrith,” Cronk said.
“Edwards and Talagi were doing some nice things, but defensively Souths are just not sound enough to stop teams scoring points.
“And at different stages I know Jack Wighton has won a Dally M Medal but when you are playing five-eighth, he was throwing some passes around and it just looks very disconnected when they are trying to score any type of points.
“They only time they scored was from a dive over close and from a kick so they have a lot of work to do on both sides of the football quickly because I think pressure is coming their way in the next couple of weeks.”
Wayne proud of Souths amid injury crisis | 02:27
RAIDERS FUTURE SHINES BRIGHT IN SCARY SIGN FOR REST OF COMP
There were several players who starred for Canberra during their 40-16 win over the Eels, but no one shined brighter than Raiders five-eighth Ethan Strange.
The 20-year-old is considered one of the most promising young playmakers in the competition, but in just his second season, he’s already looking like a seasoned pro at times.
One of those instances was during the thumping of the Eels, with Strange toying with his opposition throughout the afternoon.
Strange had a try, seven tackle busts, 92 running metres, a line break and a try assist in a complete performance.
His play even earned him some very lofty praise from the Fox League commentary team, with Andrew Voss believing there were shades of Raiders legend Laurie Daley in Strange’s performance.
Voss’s commentary partner Mick Ennis also lauded Strange, making a huge call on the five-eighth’s representative future.
“He’ll play Origin one day and probably pretty soon,” Ennis said.
It should be a scary proposition for rival teams that Canberra have so much young talent contributing for a ladder-leading side.
While the Raiders have proven they are live premiership threats right now, the likes of Strange, hooker Owen Pattie, forward Ata Mariota, fullback Kaeo Weekes and winger Xavier Savage suggest that Green Machine could be a formidable outfit for the next decade.
Given all the youth in their squad, coach Ricky Stuart has to remind himself that this team is technically still developing despite their position on the ladder.
“As much as we want to win, I don’t lose sight of the fact that I walk around the changerooms and I see five to six 23-year-olds and I have to keep coming back to thinking that realistically, we’re still developing these young blokes,” Stuart said.
“Take Ethan Strange for example. His communication and confidence has grown so much in 12 months and I keep thinking to myself, ‘where is he going to be in two years?’
“I’m fortunate because the senior players are a massive force behind helping these younger guys grow into first graders.”
Ricky calls out ‘entitled’ Raiders | 07:17
THE CHANGE MANLY MUST MAKE TO WIN A TITLE
The Sea Eagles secured a huge victory over the Storm in Round 20.
But despite beating one of the NRL’s top premiership contenders, Anthony Seibold’s side still aren’t in the fight for a title themselves — unless they make one change.
“I don’t think Manly can win a big prelim final with Tom in the centres, I think he is the fullback. It’s his best position,” Cooper Cronk said following Manly’s 18-16 win.
“When he is damaging and up and running, he is arguably the best fullback we have at different stages.
“When he won the Dally M, he carved teams up.
“At the moment, it’s working, but I feel like if they want to win a big game in September, I think Tom needs to be the fullback.
Johnson, who played against Trbojevic as early as last season, echoed Cronk’s opinion and explained teams don’t fear the Sea Eagles gun in the centres.
But at fullback, he is one of the NRL’s most potent attacking threats.
“I just put myself in a player’s point of view. I’ d much prefer playing against him if he was in centre than if he was at fullback. That’s the way I look at it,” Johnson said.
“Knowing he’s at centre, you can contain him a little bit more. I think at fullback, he offers a completely different package.”
Lehi Hopoate has been given the No. 1 jersey during Trbojevic’s switch and has performed admirably.
The 20-year-old had a breakout season in 2024, forcing his way into Manly’s first grade side with consistent and impressive showings at fullback and on the wing.
However, Trbojevic’s impact can’t be understated according to Cronk.
“Lehi Hopoate is a good player. He’s energetic, he’s tough, he’s doing all the right things, so this is nothing against him,” Cronk explained.
“This is all about Tom and if he touches the ball 20 times, he’s going to do a lot of damage as opposed to 10 or 12 times.
“I feel like its way more comfortable having your gun player in and around a half for long periods of time.
“It’s up to Tom and his fitness but tonight geez he looked like if he’s moving well.”
Late drama in Manly’s upset over Storm | 02:28
ROOSTERS’ TOUGH RUN HOME
With seven rounds remaining, the Roosters are in a pretty precarious position.
They sit in 10th position, only one win outside of the eight, but they face a treacherous path ahead.
In their final seven games, two matches against the Storm are on the docket as well as a battle with the third-placed Bulldogs.
In addition, a couple of tough away games against the Sea Eagles and Dolphins await.
So, with a particularly difficult run home looming, can Trent Robinson’s side get the job done?
“They have a tough run. That’s not the end of them, it’s not terminal, but they probably needed to win tonight,” Greg Alexander.
“It would have helped given the run they have left.”
Roosters legend Cooper Cronk added: “The ladder is starting to take shape.
“Tenth place, 22 points. They need to win games and can’t be dropping too many more because they’re a top-eight team who should be playing finals.”
Robinson will be desperate for his side to bounce back after their loss to the Sharks, slamming his side in the post-match press conference.
“We got beaten physically,” Robinson said.
“We lacked the physical presence and then lacked the cohesion to go and nail the points needed.
“I thought our skill was poor tonight and I thought our catch was poor.
“We’re a pretty flowing team when it comes to our movement, but it was really stop-start and the skill level cost us a lot in a lot of areas.”
Chad Townsend’s return to the NRL, having last played first grade in Round 5, was unable to inspire a Roosters victory.
Young gun Hugo Savala, who he replaced, is a chance of returning in Round 21 after he was given a “one to two week” return frame from a hand injury.
Sandon Smith could also slot back into the halves alongside Sam Walker if Savala remains sidelined.
TIGER SHINES IN NEW COLOURS BUT BENJI SAYS THERE’S MORE TO COME
Before Sunday’s Tigers-Titans thriller, it had been 436 days since Taylan May had featured in an NRL game.
Released from his Panthers playing contract last year following domestic violence allegations (which were subsequently withdrawn), May was thrown a lifeline by Benji Marshall and the Tigers.
A super talent, May’s brief career has been marred by a number of off-field indiscretions. Despite this, the Tigers were willing to take a flyer on the 23-year-old.
It’s been a tiny sample size, but so far, the risk is paying off.
May was outstanding in his Tigers debut, scoring a try, having a hand in two more, defending well and proving quite the handful for the Titans’ outside backs.
Just 12 minutes into the game, May ran onto a crisp pass from his brother Terrell to score the Tigers’ opening try.
In May and Starford To’a, the Tigers have quite the formidable centre pairing.
Marshall said May will only improve with that run given his long spell out of the game.
“First game back in however long so for Taylan to do what he did today, I thought was outstanding,” Marshall said.
“We weren’t expecting big things or miracles, given he had only had four weeks of training to prepare for today.”
Before earning a first grade recall, May plied his trade in reserve grade, but Marshall quickly learned the outside back was a big fish in a small pond at that level.
“It took me half a game of NSW Cup two weeks ago to realise that he was almost ready to play (first grade),” the Tigers coach said.
“That opportunity came sooner than we probably thought, and I thought he was outstanding.
“You can just see class and a guy that has x-factor.
“I thought today his defence was outstanding next to Jarome. Some of the reads and tackles he made were big plays for us.”
The Tigers made it win number seven for the season on Sunday, which eclipses last year’s win total.
While the club has copped some scrutiny in 2025, there are plenty of good signs in the midst of what has been a much improved season.
If the signing of May works out, the Tigers will possess a very talented young core that can lead this team to good things in the coming years.
