LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
Canterbury Bulldogs head coach Cameron Ciraldo recently explained the decision to bench Lachlan Galvin just an hour before their match against the Cowboys, attributing it to concerns over player fatigue and cramping due to the "hot and humid" conditions in Townsville.
Galvin had joined the team just over a month prior, during a time of declining performance for the Bulldogs.
However, the team secured a hard-fought victory, which Ciraldo believes will boost their confidence.
Ciraldo made the strategic choice to play four forwards off the bench instead of including Galvin.
He noted that this decision was influenced by observations from a previous game between the Cowboys and Storm held at the same venue.
While Ciraldo acknowledged feeling anxious about his decision when Matt Burton had to exit the game in the closing minutes, he expressed pride in his forward pack's ability to counter the Cowboys' attack, particularly after falling behind early in the match.