The selection call that could decide the premiership has paid off after Lachlan Galvin came up with the magical final pass to help the Bulldogs steal two competition points in his first game starting for the club at halfback.

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MATCH CENTRE: Bulldogs vs Dragons live score

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There’ll be plenty of time spent in the casino when the Bulldogs play the Dragons in Las Vegas next year, but Cameron Ciraldo had an early victory with his gamble to put Galvin at halfback paying off deluxe on Saturday night.

The 20-18 win keeps the Bulldogs firmly entrenched in the top four, with Galvin’s performance in the famous No.7 jersey exactly what his coach wanted to see in the run to the finals.

Galvin’s position in the side and how Ciraldo used him have been the biggest talking points ever since he joined the club from the Wests Tigers, with the debate now seemingly over after he delivered the clutch play with two minutes to go.

Galvin scores off slick Critta combo! | 00:47

The Bulldogs looked gone trailing by two points and struggling to conjure anything in attack, only for Galvin to lure Tyrell Sloan in and throw a peach of a pass over his head to set up Jethro Rinakama for the winner.

While Toby Sexton performed strongly in NSW Cup, this is now Galvin’s team and he controlled the game well in a busy first half that saw him force a repeat set and put Viliame Kikau over, only for the big back-rower to be held up.

But there would be no denying Galvin who backed up a big bust by skipper Stephen Crichton to score his second try for the club.

It’ll still take time for him to develop a combination with Matt Burton, but the signs were encouraging with fellow spine member Reed Mahoney burrowing over before he was taken off with 15 minutes to go.

ON THE RIGHT PATH

They don’t hand out competition points for bravery, but this was as gutsy as it gets from the Dragons who were out on their feet in the first half but stormed home to hit the lead with two tries in four minutes.

The Red V have lost so many players to serious injuries this year, with Origin star Valentine Holmes the latest to join the overflowing casualty ward.

But they didn’t use it as an excuse with their right edge causing all sorts of headaches with Sloan scoring in the first half before powerhouse Moses Suli barged over.

Sloan was unlucky not to have another after he was penalised for a push while chasing a kick, while he also made a big break in the second half but couldn’t win the race to the loose ball.

There were some poor kicks they’d like to have again but the passing to the edges was crisp with Kyle Flanagan and Clint Gutherson combining for three assists.

It was Gutherson’s long ball that set up Sione Finau for the try that tied things up, with Flanagan nailing the sideline conversion as the luckless winger was helped off with a dislocated shoulder.

The Dragons fought valiantly with some astonishing goal-line defence, with Jaydn Su’A smashing anyone foolish enough to run at him.

But they just couldn’t hold on long enough to leave their finals hopes hanging by a thread.

DOG DRAMAS

The Bulldogs picked up the points but they have a few concerns with Jacob Kiraz (lifting tackle) and Max King (crusher tackle) both placed on report.

Sitili Tupouniua is also facing a stint on the sidelines after he injured his hamstring in his first game back after a lengthy layoff.

Relive all the action in our live blog below!

TEAMS

Bulldogs: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Enari Tuala 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Jethro Rinakama 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 16. Josh Curran 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Harry Hayes 17. Bailey Hayward 19. Sitili Tupouniua. 18th man: 22. Kurtis Morrin

Dragons: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Moses Suli 18. Corey Allan 5. Sione Finau 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 17. Michael Molo 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin 8. Emre Guler 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Hamish Stewart. 18th man: 22. Nicholas Tsougranis