Crichton Defends Galvin and Brisbane Injury Scare
In this episode of Kenty Blitz, Paul Kent and Warren Livingston discuss the high-stakes lead-up to the finals, focusing on the mounting pressure on young stars and a potential injury blow for the Brisbane Broncos.
Reece Walsh Calf Concern
The big news out of Brisbane is Reece Walsh limping off training with a calf injury. Kent notes that while the club might play "ducks and drakes" regarding the severity, calf injuries are notoriously tricky because they can "pop" without warning on game day. He suggests there may be some mind games at play, especially given the history between Brisbane Broncos coach Michael Maguire and Raiders coach Ricky Stuart.
The Pressure on Lachlan Galvin
Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton has publicly defended his halfback, Lachlan Galvin, admitting the 19-year-old is feeling the immense pressure of the finals. Kent reflects on the criticism Galvin has faced since early in the season. Kent argues that while Galvin is paid more than the Prime Minister, he lacks the life experience to handle the relentless media and fan scrutiny. He praises Crichton for standing by his teammate but warns that Galvin is in a "no-win situation" where any admission of pressure is often wrongly viewed as a sign of weakness.
The Bulldogs’ Stability and the "Blood Feud"
The panel discusses the long-term contract extensions for Cameron Ciraldo and Phil Gould at Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. Kent provides a historical deep dive into Gould’s complex relationship with the club, noting a long-standing "blood feud" with the Moore and Anderson families that dated back to Gould's departure for Penrith Panthers. Kent credits the current stability of the board for allowing the club to return to its "family club" roots and find on-field success.
Post-Mortem: Teams That Missed the Eight
Kent begins a review of the teams that failed to make the finals:
- The Dolphins: Despite scoring some of the most points in NRL history, their defense was hampered by significant injuries to their middle forwards. Kent expects them to improve next year with the addition of Selwyn Cobbo.
- Manly Sea Eagles: A disappointing season defined by player dissatisfaction and the "worst-kept secret" of Daly Cherry-Evans' future. Kent is excited about Jamal Fogarty joining the halves next year, which he believes will bring much-needed solidarity.
- Parramatta Eels: Kent is bullish on the team for next year, praising Jason Ryles’ defensive structures and noting that a healthy Mitchell Moses makes them a top-eight threat.
- North Queensland Cowboys: Kent calls their season a "fall from grace," citing a lack of consistency and fitness. He believes several senior forwards are struggling to "get around the park" and need a brutal off-season.
- Wests Tigers: Fans can finally breathe after avoiding the wooden spoon. Kent suggests a future spine featuring Jarome Luai at six and Lachlan Galvin at seven, with Adam Doueihi potentially moving to a ball-playing lock role.
The "Murder Trial" Judiciary
Kent addresses Phil Gould’s criticism of the current judiciary system, which Gould likened to a murder trial. Kent agrees that "common sense has long gone," explaining that the shift toward a legalistic framework allows lawyers to confuse the rugby league guys on the panel with technicalities that don't always align with the reality of the sport.
Catch the full episode on Fanatics TV: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RV58bggBT_E
