![\"Toby](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/19677955f9dd850ad46c9871c251d067c5d7bd5e.jpeg\")
<\/p>\nBut their attack was especially disjointed against the Sharks \u2013 a 90-metre intercept try was their only source of points \u2013 with Ciraldo highlighting Hayward\u2019s communication at dummy-half as the missing ingredient.<\/p>\n
\u201cLast week Bailey had to move out to the halves, and we felt like we lost his communication and his connection through the middle,\u201d Ciraldo said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Toby Sexton (foreground) is in, Reed Mahoney (background) is out.Credit: Getty Images<\/p>\n
\u201cWe all really value Bailey\u2019s communication and the players have said that he\u2019s probably the best communicator in our team.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s something we\u2019ve been thinking about for a while and Toby\u2019s gone back and worked really hard on his game and really put the pressure on through his performances in NSW Cup.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s definitely a tough decision \u2026 and there\u2019s a lot of moving parts in that. At the forefront of our mind is how hard that would be for Reed, and it\u2019s really important that we reinforce how much we love him and we\u2019re here to support him\u2026<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve had a number of [similar] conversations over the last few months, and he understands it\u2019s what\u2019s best for the team.\u201d<\/p>\n
Immortal Andrew Johns pointed to Canterbury\u2019s lack of a running threat and creativity out of dummy half<\/a> in this masthead on Thursday as a necessary fix to their stagnating attack.<\/p>\n Mahoney, who signed in 2021 as one of the first marquee recruits in Phil Gould\u2019s rebuild, has potentially played his last game for the Bulldogs given he has been released early to join North Queensland.<\/p>\n Loading<\/p>\n Sexton, too, will leave Belmore to join Catalans next season after the club declined to offer him an extension. After leading Canterbury to the top of the table in the first half of the season, Sexton\u2019s demotion in early July has come under increased scrutiny given the Bulldogs\u2019 4-5 record and offensive struggles<\/a> since.<\/p>\n Ciraldo remains bullish about his side\u2019s form after a run of late-season games against the premiership heavyweights and lauded Sexton\u2019s perseverance after his highly publicised axing.<\/p>\n \u201c[Sexton] was a guy that lost his position at one stage as well,\u201d Ciraldo said.<\/p>\n \u201cBut [he] never dropped his lip, he\u2019s always put the team first\u2026 Toby\u2019s always brought great energy. He\u2019s 100 miles per hour and a great communicator.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat he will do is cover the halves and allow Burto to cover the outside backs, and he covers hooker as well.\u201d<\/p>\n