The Bulldogs finished inside the top four last year under Cameron Ciraldo\u2019s watch only to flame out in the finals, crashing out in straight sets after a heavy loss to Penrith.<\/p>\n
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Still, there was optimism that the club was on an upwards trajectory and that the move away from Toby Sexton to young halfback Lachlan Galvin could, in time, lift the Bulldogs\u2019 ceiling.<\/p>\n
Instead, Galvin has been one of the sole shining lights in an otherwise tough season for the Bulldogs.<\/p>\n
His combination with Matt Burton remains a work in progress while fullback Connor Tracey\u2019s form has been down since he extended with the club<\/a> until the end of the 2028 season.<\/p>\n While that new contract seemingly locked Tracey is at fullback for the next few years, veteran journalist Brent Read reported on \u2018NRL 360\u2019 on Monday night that the Bulldogs are still in the market for a fullback.<\/p>\n \u201cI can tell you right now they\u2019re looking around for a fullback,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Now, Tracey is versatile enough that if the Bulldogs were to find a better option at fullback he could still add value potentially in the centres or even as a utility off the bench. <\/p>\n But the Bulldogs already have two starting centres in Stephen Crichton and Bronson Xerri, while it would not reflect well on the club if Tracey was moved to the bench after agreeing to the extension.<\/p>\n For Read, more than anything it \u2014 along with the talks with Luke Metcalf<\/a> and meeting with Sam Verrills<\/a> \u2014 is an \u201cacknowledgment\u201d from the Bulldogs that \u201cthey got things wrong\u201d.<\/p>\n MORE NEWS<\/p>\n TEAM TIPS: Broncos\u2019 injury crisis deepens as star goes under knife; Warriors\u2019 $900k dilemma<\/a><\/p>\n TRANSFER WHISPERS: NRL rival open to player swap; why Penrith could retain Origin star<\/a><\/p>\n Bulldogs suffer 5th straight loss | 01:35<\/p>\n \u201cThe mere fact they are in the market for those positions shows they know they made some mistakes and need to fix them,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n It is part of the reason why fellow Code Sports reporter Dean Ritchie believes Bulldogs powerbrokers, and in particular Gould, need to be more transparent and accountable to fans.<\/p>\n The Dragons recently sent an email to members inviting them to a forum<\/a> where club CEO Tim Watsford, COO Ben Creagh and interim head coach Dean Young would answer their questions.<\/p>\n While the Dragons may be struggling on the field, Ritchie said the Bulldogs could learn a thing or two from the wooden spoon favourites.<\/p>\n \u201cFor all their faults, I think it\u2019s quite brave that they are fronting the fans. I think it\u2019s now time for the Dogs to take the same ploy,\u201d Ritchie said on \u2018NRL 360\u2019.<\/p>\n \u201cTheir fans are blowing up deluxe… I think Gus needs to show up, I think Ciraldo needs to show up and probably Aaron Warburton. <\/p>\n \u201cThere would be a myriad of questions, probably starting with why did Reed Mahoney go? Why has Lachlan Galvin not quite worked out? Asking about positional changes on the way and perhaps Bailey Hayward and why he has been retained at hooker when clearly he is not a dummy-half. <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s just some questions that the fans would want asked, and there would be a million more. Gus has got to man up and at least meet the fans and explain the hole that they\u2019re in. They\u2019re in a bloody big hole.\u201d<\/p>\n