{"id":815460,"date":"2026-07-22T00:40:16","date_gmt":"2026-07-22T00:40:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/815460\/"},"modified":"2026-07-22T00:40:16","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T00:40:16","slug":"nrl-fans-unhappy-after-bulldogs-playmaker-dropped-and-replaced-by-stephen-crichton","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/815460\/","title":{"rendered":"NRL fans unhappy after Bulldogs playmaker dropped and replaced by Stephen Crichton"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bulldogs fans are questioning the club’s decision to dump Sean O’Sullivan<\/a> back to the bench to accommodate the return of Stephen Crichton<\/a>. On Tuesday, coach Cameron Ciraldo named Crichton at five-eighth to partner halfback Lachie Galvin for the Bulldogs’ clash with the Warriors on Saturday.<\/p>\n

O’Sullivan has been demoted to the bench despite performing well in the 32-0 victory over the Wests Tigers<\/a> last weekend. O’Sullivan proved to be just what the doctor ordered amid a need for the Bulldogs to pick an organising half to allow Galvin to run.<\/p>\n

\"Stephen<\/p>\n

Stephen Crichton is back in the No.6 jersey after a week off. Image: Getty<\/p>\n

O’Sullivan called all the shots and did the bulk of the kicking, producing two 40-20s and registering 400 kick metres. That freed up Galvin to run the ball more and revert to his natural game as a No.6.<\/p>\n

The Galvin at halfback experiment is officially over, despite the fact he’s been named in the No.7 jersey. When Crichton has been in the halves, he’s been playing the role of a No.7 despite having the 6 on his back.<\/p>\n

And when Galvin and Matt Burton were in the halves it simply didn’t work. With O’Sullivan leading the team around last weekend, Bulldogs fans thought they’d finally found the solution.<\/p>\n

\"Sean<\/p>\n

Sean O’Sullivan (R) performed well in the Bulldogs’ win over the Tigers. Image: Getty<\/p>\n

Fans fume after Sean O’Sullivan demoted to bench<\/p>\n

But he’s been dropped back to the bench to face the Warriors, much to the displeasure of fans. One person wrote on social media on Tuesday afternoon: “O’Sullivan has a blinder but gets the bench spot instead of the 6. Makes sense.”<\/p>\n

Another wrote: “They are kidding with O’Sullivan back on the bench. Did they not watch last week?” While a third commented: “The attack finally looked decent and we actually scored some points\u2026but sure, let’s change the halves again. Makes perfect sense.”<\/p>\n

It adds to an uncertain future for O’Sullivan after reports emerged he’s been offered to clubs in the Super League<\/a> for next year. The Bulldogs like the look of young guns Alex Conti and Mitch Woods<\/a> to potentially be the long-term No.7. If the club wants a look at the future in 2027, there doesn’t appear to be a need to re-sign O’Sullivan.<\/p>\n

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