Three Dogs in the gun as awkward Galvin query awaits

Lachlan Galvin will more than likely land at Belmore this week, but the big question now is how he fits into a ladder-leading Bulldogs team.

The 19-year-old talent has worn the No.6 jumper in all of his 31 NRL games for the Wests Tigers over the past season and a half.

He is tall, smart on the footy field and possesses an intimidating running game for a young half.

But he is unlikely to knock Matt Burton out of the five-eighth spot at the Dogs.

Burton boasts basically the same aforementioned qualities, with the addition of a booming left-foot kick in his arsenal.

The problem for Canterbury is neither of them are bona fide halfbacks.

Lachlan Galvin for the Wests Tigers.

"I don't see Galvin as a halfback, not at all," legendary No.7 Andrew Johns told Nine's The Sunday Footy Show.

"He's a five-eighth and eventually he could develop into a ball-playing lock. I don't see him as a halfback steering the team around."

Toby Sexton is perhaps the least heralded player in the Bulldogs spine this season but he has proven a vital cog in the machine.

The Bulldogs have won nine of their 11 games to date to sit top of the NRL standings, and are steaming towards a finals berth.

The problem with bringing a high-profile player in mid-season is running the risk of destabilising the in-form outfit.

"I reckon he will upset the Dogs because they don't need him," NRL great Justin Hodges said on Fox Sports on Sunday.

"When they get all their players back they don't need him. If they bring him there, there is going to be a lot of noise around it and a lot of pressure and they are going pretty good, the Dogs."

League legend Greg Alexander was also at a loss when asked on his SEN radio show where Galvin might play.

"Which player is under the most pressure? Toby Sexton, but does (Galvin) play halfback?" Alexander said.

"They don't sign him and not bring him in. There are questions still unanswered.

"I've heard Matt Burton to fullback. Why would that happen? Burton to fullback... and Crichton has been mentioned to play fullback too.

"If (Galvin) signed with Parramatta, easy, he is No.6 outside Mitch Moses."

Toby Sexton of the Bulldogs.

Burton is versatile and has plenty of experience playing at centre, while captain Crichton has previously been touted as a fullback option.

It would knock Connor Tracey out of the No.1 jumper but theoretically if Galvin played five-eighth, Burton could play centre and Crichton fullback.

But would it make the team stronger, or is it robbing Peter to pay Paul? That's the dilemma coach Cameron Ciraldo must solve, potentially before their next game on June 9.

It has also been widely speculated Galvin will eventually turn into a ball-playing middle forward.

"I look at Galvin as a No.6, (or) No.13. I think he will evolve into being a loose forward, like a ball playing No.13," Matty Johns told Fox Sports.

"So if he does go to the Bulldogs, I don't know what that means. I don't know if they still hang on to Sexton."

Reed Mahoney and Matt Burton of the Bulldogs.

If the Bulldogs have designs on him playing at lock, it puts the immediate future of Kurt Mann in jeopardy.

Mann has just been called up to Queensland's Origin squad and will be 18th man on Wednesday night, such is his form at club level in recent times.

The other casualty could be tenacious hooker Reed Mahoney.

Plenty of pundits believe Mahoney is out of form and has been overtaken in the No.9 ranks by rookie rake Bailey Hayward, who is also capable of filling other positions.

If Ciraldo is comfortable carrying just one hooker in his 17 then Galvin could play the bench utility role, although Alexander isn't a fan of that idea.

"Why would you carry Lachie Galvin on the bench?" Alexander said.

It's a fair enough question given Canterbury will reportedly have to pay the Tigers a $165,000 transfer fee, as well as the remainder of Galvin's $350,000 salary this year - which has roughly five months left.

It will be an intriguing watch over the coming weeks as to where Galvin plays, and whether the Bulldogs are better or worse for it.