But I\u2019m still not convinced \u2014 and I don\u2019t reckon most honest Bulldogs fans would be either \u2014 that Cameron Ciraldo\u2019s love affair with Lachlan Galvin playing halfback won\u2019t continue to hold the Bulldogs back this season.<\/p>\n
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Watch every game of every round of the NRL Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\n We all watched the game on Sunday.<\/p>\n And if Stephen Crichton didn\u2019t step up to nail that match-winning play \u2014 with six seconds remaining in golden point \u2014 there is no doubt that the biggest storyline to come out of Allegiant Stadium would have still centred on the Bulldogs\u2019 halves.<\/p>\n While it must be said that Galvin and Matt Burton played well individually \u2014 with both running the ball strongly \u2014 what also can\u2019t be disputed is that they continue to play like traditional five-eighths.<\/p>\n And crucially, neither took charge when the Bulldogs needed them most.<\/p>\n Case in point was the final minutes of regular time when the Bulldogs were positioned perfectly for a field goal.<\/p>\n But Galvin and Burton both inexplicably chose not to set up for the shot.<\/p>\n It occurred with just four minutes left on the clock and the scores locked at 14-all.<\/p>\n As a perplexed Cooper Cronk said on Fox League\u2019s match coverage: \u201cThere was no communication from Burton and Galvin there about who was going to take the shot.<\/p>\n \u201cThey had no understanding.<\/p>\n \u201cNo intention.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t believe they didn\u2019t set up for the field goal.\u201d<\/p>\n Cronk himself was an absolute gun at nailing moments just like this.<\/p>\n And we all know Cronk\u2019s commentary always borders on understated, rather than overstated.<\/p>\n So for Cronk to say what he did in the heat of the moment explains exactly why this partnership remains an ongoing concern for the Bulldogs (even though the coach will never admit it).<\/p>\n READ MORE<\/p>\n \u2018Yeah, 100 per cent\u2019: Matt Burton star makes stunning call on $23m potential NFL switch<\/a><\/p>\n We asked an NFL writer to watch the NRL. This is his scouting report on 12 Vegas stars<\/a><\/p>\n Bulldogs take out Golden Point thriller | 03:37<\/p>\n It\u2019s not as if the Bulldogs wouldn\u2019t have prepared for moments like this all summer.<\/p>\n Yet when the pressure was on, all their planning and practice went out the window.<\/p>\n But then in the euphoric aftermath, everyone seemed to conveniently forget about what had happened 14 minutes earlier, as Crichton\u2019s inspirational play stole the spotlight.<\/p>\n Ciraldo also took time out during the post match media conference to continue to praise his young halfback.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you think about all the really good halfbacks and what they were like at 20, he\u2019s tracking in a great direction,\u201d Ciraldo said of Galvin.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s learning really quickly. I thought what he\u2019s been able to learn over the pre-season and then some lessons he took at the Newcastle trial and took into tonight I thought was good.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019ll get better and better. He\u2019s committed to his craft and he\u2019ll get better every game and every year.\u201d<\/p>\n In fairness to Ciraldo, Galvin did deserve a rap because he did do some really good things.<\/p>\n Like that ball he threw to Jacob Preston to help set up the first try which was an absolute ripper (even if it could have been called marginally forward).<\/p>\n Preston also deserves plenty of the credit for that try as well, because the backrower\u2019s line running, footwork and power would make any young half look so much better.<\/p>\n But there is also no way of turning a blind eye to the Bulldogs\u2019 overall lack of direction which comes back to the halves.<\/p>\n Ciro praises Crichtons clutch FG! | 07:57<\/p>\n Canterbury had enough ball and good field position to put a score on the Dragons, and they failed to capitalise on their chances.<\/p>\n It certainly wasn\u2019t a first up performance you\u2019d expect from a team most think will finish top four this season.<\/p>\n For mine, it also summed up why Sean O\u2019Sullivan would be the better option to wear the No 7 jumper at this point.<\/p>\n Of course, there is no way Ciraldo is going to drop Galvin.<\/p>\n But O\u2019Sullivan is one of the sharpest footy brains in the business.<\/p>\n And while he might not have Galvin\u2019s natural talent or flair, his strength is his ability to steer a team around the park.<\/p>\n Which is exactly what the Dogs are lacking as Galvin continues to develop in his new position.<\/p>\n In time, I have no doubt Galvin will become a fine player and more than hold his own regardless of what position he\u2019s playing.<\/p>\n But I\u2019m not convinced halfback will ever be his most natural or best spot, regardless of how hard the Bulldogs try to convince us otherwise.<\/p>\n Crichton lucky to avoid the bin? | 00:33<\/p>\n WHY WASN\u2019T CRICHTON SIN BINNED?<\/p>\n Now to the dodgy calls that robbed the Dragons.<\/p>\n It\u2019s an absolute joke that Stephen Crichton wasn\u2019t sin binned for his high shot on debutant winger Setu Tu.<\/p>\n Yet in the earlier game the Cowboys\u2019 Braidon Burns was sin binned for a high shot on Kalyn Ponga.<\/p>\n While I\u2019ve got no problem with Burns getting sin binned, you can\u2019t have rules for some and rules for others.<\/p>\n And Crichton\u2019s shot was without question more careless, if not reckless, given how he had ample time to make that tackle without whacking his opponent flush in the head.<\/p>\n FLANNO EVERY RIGHT TO BE FILTHY<\/p>\n Shane Flanagan also had every right to blow up about the Ryan Couchman getting penalised<\/a> for that crucial ball strip on Bronson Xerri in the lead up to Crichton\u2019s winning field goal.<\/p>\n As Flanagan said: \u201cIt\u2019s a loose carry every day of the week \u2026 we didn\u2019t get the run of the green, that\u2019s for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n It really infuriates fans who have been watching the game their entire lives seeing calls like this decide valuable competition points.<\/p>\n The NRL will no doubt argue that there had been a change of interpretation over the summer and they got this right.<\/p>\n But if this is the new interpretation, it stinks.<\/p>\n Even though it\u2019s only round one, that call could have a huge impact on the Dragons\u2019 season.<\/p>\n You just can\u2019t have moments like that deciding matches with all the technology that is available these days.<\/p>\n ATKINSON GETS A PASS MARK<\/p>\n As for the Dragons\u2019 new halfback, Daniel Atkinson had an impressive long kicking game.<\/p>\n But it would have been nice to see him take the line on a bit more.<\/p>\n Atkinson finished with six runs for 25m, while Kyle Flanagan had just two for 17m.<\/p>\n In comparison, Bulldogs playmakers Lachie Galvin had 10 for 85m and Matt Burton 13 for 141m.<\/p>\n It\u2019s all well and good seeing the Dragons be brave in defence.<\/p>\n But to win footy games you also need to score more points than the opposition.<\/p>\n And this is where the Dragons are going to continue to struggle unless their halves can create more of a threat with the ball.<\/p>\n Brown & Ponga react to big Knights win | 03:59<\/p>\n A KNIGHTS COACHING MASTERSTROKE<\/p>\n