Phil Gould has been accused of “spinning his way out of” the club’s now questionable decision add young gun Lachlan Galvin to the roster mid-season.

Watch every game of the NRL Telstra Premiership Finals Series before the Grand Final, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.

The Bulldogs’ season ended with a whimper on Sunday, knocked out of the finals in straight sets after a heavy loss to Penrith.

In the post-game press conference, coach Cameron Ciraldo labelled the criticism around Galvin “crap”, declaring he “wouldn’t change a thing” this season.

WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.

Gould, the Bulldogs’ general manager, doubled down on Monday night’s episode of 100% Footy.

In a surprising admission Gould said Galvin had never played halfback “whatsoever” before landing at the Dogs.

Galvin’s intitially came off the bench at the Bulldogs before replacing incumbent Toby Sexton who had led the club to the top of the table.

“It suits the media narrative to describe it the way you did just then. None of that was in our four walls. None of it anywhere from any players or any coaches,” Gould said.

“We’re delighted to have him on our books. We took the opportunity when it arose. It came out of the blue.

“Now it’s led to this media barrage, and a lot of it has been childish and extremely unfair.

“He’s never played halfback in any junior football whatsoever. So it was a big ask from him and I think he’s done an outstanding job.”

How should the Dogs line up next year? | 02:14

MORE NRL NEWS

2025 BREAKOUT STARS: Eels’ gamble pays off; Red V mistake proves costly

RESSIES WRAP: Cobbo’s timely return; Tuaupiki masterclass sends Warriors to GF

CRAWLS: Ciraldo owes Dogs fans apology; dream clash is Broncos’ ‘worst nightmare’

Responding to Gould’s comments, Foxsports.com.au’s Paul Crawley said the Bulldogs supremo was “kidding himself”.

“Doesn’t it prove that they’ve got it wrong? He’s conceded that Galvin has never played halfback in any course of his career yet they brought him in mid-season when the team was on top of the ladder to play halfback,” Crawley said on NRL360.

“You can’t use it as an excuse now. Then on the weekend when he shifts back to five-eighth and the previous week, Galvin finds his rhythm again.

“Gus is kidding himself. He’s trying to spin his way out of the argument but the fact of the matter is, what Gus just said is the proof that they did a job on themselves. They self-sabotaged.”

Ciraldo: “We ran into a Champion team” | 06:02

“It sounds like a big contradiction,” NRL360 host Braith Anasta added.

“Have your opinion Gus. Put your case forward. But to take a pot shot at everyone who has had their opinion on the situation and the way that they went out in straight sets and then act like we’ve been talking s**t. Come on buddy.”

“They’ve turned it into that we are criticising him personally and him as a player. No, we’re just critiquing him as a halfback and why the Bulldogs made that decision. It’s not about Lachlan Galvin for us.”

The Daily Telegraph’s Dean Ritchie believes Ciraldo and Gould are in denial about why the Bulldogs’ season went downhill.

“Gus makes a living being in the media offering opinions so it’s a tad rich to bag other members of the media,” Ritchie said.

“I think it’s important too guys that we’ve heard from Cameron Ciraldo say the criticism of Galvin is crap now we’ve got Gus saying it’s childish. It’s a smother because they got rolled

“Maybe, just maybe, they should look in the mirror and look internally as to what went wrong instead of shifting blame to the media.”

“Gus is trying to swing the conversation to get a little bit of sympathy for Galvin and take the focus away from the fact that he and Ciraldo have led this campaign to sabotage their own season,” Crawley added.

“You listen to Cameron after the game and he won’t admit it until he’s blue in the face despite the fact so many great judges are sitting there asking the same questions.”