It’s a funny game, rugby league.

After round 16, the Bulldogs sat on top of the ladder. Eleven wins and only two losses, if you don’t mind. The three byes didn’t hurt.

An unlikely finals appearance in 2024 was being backed up by a barnstorming 2025.

But, despite all that, Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo insisted he had to look to the future.

So he broke his spine in to pieces, dumping Toby Sexton for the shiny and new Lachie Galvin at seven, and chief agitator Reed Mahoney from hooker for Bailey Hayward. The moves didn’t work, and the losses began to mount up amid continual denials anything was wrong.

Suddenly, we got to Sunday’s knockout match with the entire season on the line and Sexton was back at halfback and Mahoney started at hooker. Wonders never cease.

Viliame Kikau slumps to his knees after the defeat.Credit: Getty Images

Galvin looks much more at home wearing six and, after early nerves, showed a tiny glimpse of what all the fuss might be about.

In the 18th minute, he hit Jacob Preston with a little short ball, if you will, on his own 40m line. Preston surged through, drew fullback Dylan Edwards, found Galvin on the inside and the boom youngster finished what he started, scoring........

© Brisbane Times