Two-time NRL premiership winner Justin Hodges says the Bulldogs won\u2019t fire a shot in the finals and believes September football will \u201ccatch them out\u201d.<\/p>\n
The Bulldogs have faced continued criticism for their mid-season decision to replace Toby Sexton with Lachlan Galvin at halfback.<\/p>\n
Sexton was first choice halfback for the Bulldogs through until Round 19.<\/p>\n
FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer ><\/a><\/p>\n Sexton featured in 16 games at halfback for the Bulldogs this season, with the team recording 12 wins (75%).<\/p>\n Since Galvin took over as Bulldogs halfback in Round 20, from his seven games in the position, the Bulldogs have just four wins (57%).<\/p>\n Hodges played alongside halfback Shane Perry in the Broncos\u2019 2006 premiership win.<\/p>\n Hodges drew comparisons between Sexton and Perry and felt the Bulldogs should have left Sexton in the role.<\/p>\n \u201cI think with Sexton, he was steady,\u201d Hodges said on NRL 360 on Wednesday night.<\/p>\n \u201cHe reminded me of Shane Perry with (Broncos 2006 premiership winning five-eighth) Darren Lockyer.<\/p>\n \u201cAll he needed to do was his job because he had so many talented players out wide as well.\u201d<\/p>\n Host Braith Anasta pressed Hodges further on whether he believes the Bulldogs are a better side with Galvin at halfback.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you think they\u2019ve improved?\u201d Anasta asked Hodges.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I don\u2019t think they\u2019ve improved,\u201d Hodges replied.<\/p>\n Anasta interjected again.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you think they can improve then?\u201d Anasta asked.<\/p>\n \u201cLook, the Bulldogs at the start of the year were renowned for their defence,\u201d Hodges responded.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019ve gone away from that for whatever reason.\u201d<\/p>\n The Bulldogs held the Knights and Rabbitohs to nil in consecutive games early in the season. Hodges, who also won a premiership with the Roosters in 2002, made reference to this.<\/p>\n \u201cThey were keeping sides to zero. They were keeping sides below 10 points as well.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think they\u2019ve gotten better, no.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd I think finals time\u2019s just really going to catch them out.\u201d <\/p>\n MORE NRL NEWS<\/p>\n MCKINNON: Why old boy must coach resurgent Knights; reality of cut-price DCE deal<\/a><\/p>\n TEAMS: Ricky\u2019s big Raiders resting call; star Bronco benched for \u2018breach\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n