Andrew Johns has labelled it “a positive thing” that Canterbury hooker Reed Mahoney appeared “filthy” after the introduction of Lachlan Galvin last week.
The eighth Immortal is eager for the other spine players to push each other during training as they vie for their positions.
Galvin’s mid-season signing has stirred tensions, particularly as the Bulldogs have been among the frontrunners on the NRL ladder for the majority of the first 14 rounds.
The young playmaker was brought into the squad immediately, contributing off the bench and scoring a decisive late try to lead the Bulldogs to victory over the Eels in front of a boisterous crowd of nearly 60,000.
It was subsequently revealed that when he came on, he instructed halfback Toby Sexton to immediately transition to hooker—a directive that Sexton initially took as a joke—after which footage showed Mahoney seething on the sidelines at being relegated to the bench to make way for the newcomer.
The roles of Sexton and Mahoney for the remainder of the season remain uncertain, especially with talented rookie Bailey Hayward possibly facing exclusion as well.
Benched Bulldog Reed Mahoney was notably displeased with the excitement surrounding Lachlan Galvin. Nine
“Competition is a positive force,” Johns shared with Wide World of Sports’ Immortal Behaviour.
“You want Mahoney to be disappointed, rather than cheering and high-fiving. It shows he cares.
“With six players vying for positions in the spine, the competition is fierce. That’s not a bad thing.
“I hope they are challenging each other during training. I hope there’s some heated exchanges during practice sessions—that’s exactly what you need.
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“(Dogs coach) Cameron Ciraldo will navigate this situation well. It’s an exciting time.”
Galvin, one of the most promising teenagers in the game, is expected to become a million-dollar player before long, although his three-year contract with the Bulldogs isn’t as lucrative as the deal the Tigers were ready to offer.
This week, he’s been named as five-eighth in Matt Burton’s absence, but many expect he’ll shift to halfback alongside Burton after that.
This situation leaves Sexton facing the prospect of a utility role off the bench or potentially being dropped altogether.
Johns believes that any unease among Bulldogs players will be justified by what Galvin brings to the team.
“Initially, I thought they might ease him in, letting him play in the NSW Cup for a few weeks. But they signed him for a reason, so he should play,” he explained.
“There will be talk about Reed Mahoney’s predicament… but that’s the nature of professional footy. I believe Parramatta were unhappy when Mahoney joined the Bulldogs; that’s just how the business goes.
“Galvin performed really well; he integrated seamlessly. The try he scored was a result of his positioning and timing. This club is definitely on the rise.
“With recruitment efforts from Gus (Phil Gould), Ciraldo, and players like (captain) Stephen Crichton, the team is moving in the right direction.”
Canterbury’s finals drought lasted seven years before Ciraldo guided them to sixth place last season.
With their current trajectory, the Bulldogs are set to improve on that ranking in 2025, currently being held back from the top of the ladder by the Raiders, who have played two additional games.
The Bulldogs are set to take on South Sydney this Sunday.
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