Lachlan Galvin was signed to improve the stuttering Canterbury Bulldogs attack.
But according to four-time NRL premiership player Cooper Cronk it’s the 20-year-old’s defence that will determine if last year’s controversial mid-season move can be a success in 2026, particularly after the Bulldogs crashed out of the 2025 NRL final series with back-to-back losses.
“They made the change to Galvin to improve their attack (in 2025), but their defence went south,” Cronk said on Fox League.
“They got beaten up by the Penrith Panthers and Melbourne Storm in the finals.”
For the Bulldogs to progress deeper into September, Cronk says the most pressing priority for Galvin isn’t attack, but showing he can hold his own in the defensive line alongside his more seasoned halves partner Matt Burton.
“If Lachlan Galvin can improve the team defensively, that makes them so much better,” Cronk said.
“I think Cameron Ciraldo will be really doubling down on defence, and worrying about attack later on (in the season).
“The best defensive teams win comps.”
The Bulldogs open their 2026 NRL campaign against St George Illawarra in Las Vegas on March 1 Australian time.
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