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Former Bulldogs halfback Trent Hodkinson has delivered a pointed assessment of Canterbury’s current halves setup, arguing the club is missing a traditional, controlling No. 7 to properly guide the side around the park.
At the centre of the debate is Canterbury’s current pairing: Matt Burton wearing the No. 6 jersey and Lachlan Galvin operating in the No. 7 role—despite both players being naturally suited to five-eighth. The combination has drawn scrutiny as the Bulldogs attempt to find consistency in their spine.
Galvin’s arrival during Canterbury’s 2025 premiership push period—an audacious mid-season move—effectively displaced then-halfback Toby Sexton, reshaping the club’s halves hierarchy. But for Hodkinson, the issue isn’t just selection—it’s structure.
“I know Lachie’s been playing seven and he played a really good game the other week (in the 32-16 win against Penrith), but I sort of feel like they’re very similar players,” Hodkinson said.
He also pointed to alternative options, suggesting Canterbury already had—or had previously moved on from—more natural organisers.
“Toby Sexton was a genuine seven and you’ve got (Sean) O’Sullivan there who’s a genuine seven.”
That reference to Sean O’Sullivan underscores Hodkinson’s broader argument: that the Bulldogs lack a specialist halfback capable of directing play under pressure and structuring attacking sets.
The former NSW representative has also been heavily involved in developing young playmakers through coaching pathways, including work with NSW U19s, and believes the next generation already includes viable No. 7 options.
” I’d like to see, even young Woodsy (Mitchell Woods),” Hodkinson said. “We had him last year in the 19s. He’s a genuine seven.”
“You know, I haven’t seen him too much the last six to eight months, how he’s going physically and stuff, but he’d be more than capable to step up.”
Mitchell Woods is among the emerging halves Hodkinson believes could eventually fill that traditional organising role at NRL level.
While the modern game often blurs the distinction between halfback and five-eighth, Hodkinson is unconvinced the roles are truly interchangeable at the elite level.
“I still think they’re unique positions, I really do,” Hodkinson said.
“You’ve got to have that one dominant half and that guy that steers them around the field.
“Yeah, they’re similar at times, but I think they’re still separate positions.”
The current Bulldogs configuration has even triggered memories of Hodkinson’s own playing days at Canterbury, when selection pressure in the halves created internal competition.
“It reminded me of 2015 where it was myself, Josh Reynolds and Moses Mbye and there was three couldn’t go in the two.
“I got pushed out of the club. And I truly believe Moses and Josh were two five-eighths.”
Despite his critique, Hodkinson made clear he is not questioning the authority of Bulldogs head coach Cameron Ciraldo, acknowledging that results ultimately determine the validity of selection calls.
“I’m not the coach there and Ciro gets paid the money to make the decision,” said the 37-year-old.
“With the dogs at the moment, they’ve just got to find their groove.
“There might be a little bit of toing and froing at times, but, you know, I’m confident.”
