CANTERBURY-Bankstown Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo has told SEN that he is expecting a big season from halfback Lachlan Galvin following a strong pre-season.<\/p>\n
Galvin joined the Bulldogs midway through the 2025 season after a controversial split with the Wests Tigers.<\/p>\n
The Bulldogs were top of the table when the 20-year-old joined the side but despite a strong home and away season, the Bulldogs failed to win a final and were bundled out in straight sets.<\/p>\n
With a full pre-season with the team under his belt, Ciraldo is confident that the best of Galvin is yet to come.<\/p>\n
“Lachie has been a huge benefit,” Ciraldo said on SEN 1170.<\/p>\n
“He’s had a full pre-season with the boys and has got to understand everyone a little bit better.<\/p>\n
“Last year, he came into a new defensive system and had to learn that as quickly as possible.<\/p>\n
“It was a challenge for him but he did a lot of good things when he came in and Lachlan handled it all really well.<\/p>\n
“He’s definitely looking more comfortable defending around the team and that’s certainly flowed into his attack as well.<\/p>\n
“There are some skills that you can’t coach, particularly when we don’t have the ball and he’s shown off a lot of that in this pre-season.<\/p>\n
“Lachlan’s looking really good and his fitness is unbelievable.<\/p>\n
“That will be a huge asset to us this season.”<\/p>\n
Galvin will likely play halfback in 2026 and partner with five-eighth Matt Burton. However, the Bulldogs aren’t short in quality young playmakers with 19-year-old Mitch Woods waiting in the wings.<\/p>\n
Woods is highly touted to be the next star halfback in the NRL but despite his reputation, Ciraldo confirmed that the Bulldogs would not rush him into the side.<\/p>\n
“Mitch is a pleasure to coach and I must say, he is the most professional 19-year-old that I have ever encountered,” Ciraldo said.<\/p>\n
“When he does get his opportunity in first grade, we’ll be really excited about that.<\/p>\n
“I don’t think we are taking a long-term approach with him. He had a couple of injuries last year which set him back a little bit.<\/p>\n
“Our approach is that when he’s ready, he’ll be ready.<\/p>\n
“All young halves mature at different times. Nathan Cleary debuted at 18 and Jarome Luai debuted when he was 20.<\/p>\n
“They both had similar trajectories coming through the grades but one was physically ready when he was 18 and the other took a little bit longer.<\/p>\n
“With Mitch, he’s had a lot of attention, so it looks like we are taking a long-term approach.<\/p>\n
“When he gets his opportunity, he’ll take it with both hands.”<\/p>\n
The Bulldogs kick off their 2026 campaign in Las Vegas against the St George Illawarra Dragons on March 1.<\/p>\n