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<\/p>\nThe Bulldogs\u2019 halves conundrum is claiming an unwarranted victim, who could be ousted from the club \u2014 Matt Burton.<\/p>\n
In the last two weeks, Burton has been shifted out of the halves in favour of skipper Stephen Crichton and halfback Sean O\u2019Sullivan, moving into the centres to provide threat out wide.<\/p>\n
In Round 4, the change was made to spark a stuttering attack, but last week it came after an injury to Crichton, with Ciraldo opting to inject O\u2019Sullivan, not Bronson Xerri into the game.<\/p>\n
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Watch every game of every round of the 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 Burton\u2019s future has been shrouded in mystery in recent months, with the gun five-eighth being linked with a move to the Perth Bears despite being contracted until the end of 2027.<\/p>\n The Bulldogs have let a host of players go under Ciraldo and Phil Gould, with the likes of Reed Mahoney and Toby Sexton allowed to depart.<\/p>\n Xerri has also been rumoured to be unhappy at the club and angling for an immediate release, and Fox League\u2019s Paul Crawley couldn\u2019t believe Burton\u2019s name had been floated for a move.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you\u2019ve got two players on the open market tomorrow and you\u2019ve got to win a game of football. You put Matt Burton there and Lachlan Galvin,\u201d he said on NRL360 on Tuesday night.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd you\u2019ve got to pick a six out of one of those, Burton is the bloke I\u2019d take. I still think Burton is the best half in that combination.<\/p>\n \u201cIf Galvin is pushing for the No.7 spot with Sean O\u2019Sullivan, that\u2019s well and good. But it continues to be that Burton is the one that is shuffled around to make Galvin happy.\u201d<\/p>\n Crawley unloads on Dragons’ recruitment | 03:26<\/p>\n Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!<\/a><\/p>\n According to The Daily Telegraph\u2019s David Riccio, Burton and his management had no concerns with his positional switches, nor the rumours linking him with an exit.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s completely an open communication between the Bulldogs and Burton on the role that you\u2019re going to play within this team to get the result,\u201d Riccio said.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s not disgruntled…. he\u2019s a versatile footballer who can play six or centre. At this stage, he is the starting six.\u201d<\/p>\n NRL360 host Braith Anasta then asked if Burton has been \u201cdisrespected\u201d by being the scapegoat in a stuttering halves pairing.<\/p>\n And Crawley was certain Burton would be hearing the rumblings, especially now he has become the first man to shift out of the spine.<\/p>\n \u201cHow does that not play on his mind? How does it not? The talk is in the public,\u201d Crawley said.<\/p>\n Dragons defend Flanno after another loss | 02:14<\/p>\n \u201cOf course it plays on your mind, there is this constant chatter in the public forum about Matt Burton ultimately being the one that will be moved on.<\/p>\n \u201cNow he has been moved out of his choice of positions… I just think the guy who should be holding the card is being rissoled.\u201d<\/p>\n According to Gould, however, bringing O\u2019Sullivan on against the Rabbitohs was intended to be a short-term solution before Burton returned to his playmaking duties.<\/p>\n Instead, Crichton\u2019s injury was discovered to be worst than first thought \u2014 and as such, the Bulldogs had used all of their interchanges. <\/p>\n \u201cCameron\u2019s (Ciraldo) used three bodies, he\u2019s used (Lipoi) Hopoi, (Sitili) Tupouniua and (Kurt) Mann. Sean O\u2019Sullivan is there to cover halves and hooker, if he puts Bronson on he can\u2019t go and use Sean if one of those (players) go down,\u201d Gould said on 100% Footy.<\/p>\n MORE NRL NEWS<\/p>\n CRAWLS: Gutho move could rock dressing room amid dark theory on Dragons\u2019 fall guy<\/a><\/p>\n TEAM TIPS: Big Flanno call has recruit under \u2018significant pressure\u2019; Broncos\u2019 crisis<\/a><\/p>\n