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Bulldogs playmaker addresses uncertain NRL future
George Clarke, AAP •  July 20th, 2026 2:11 pm
Sean O'Sullivan made a career statement with his performance for Canterbury against West Tigers | Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP
Sean O'Sullivan has spent a career as an NRL journeyman but at the age of 27, the Canterbury playmaker has expressed a desire to finally put down roots.
O'Sullivan had his strongest showing in a Bulldogs jersey on Saturday, kicking two 40/20s as Cameron Ciraldo's side kept their top-eight hopes alive with a 32-0 win over Wests Tigers.
The halfback has plugged gaps for Ciraldo this year, mostly playing off the bench across six games.
But after stints at five different NRL clubs before landing at Belmore this year, O'Sullivan is keen to prove he can be a regular starting half.
Sean O'Sullivan (r) has been at six other NRL clubs since starting with the Roosters back in 2018 | Photo: Darren Pateman/AAP
"I am really super-confident in what I can bring to a team, and I would obviously love that opportunity (to have my own team)," O'Sullivan said.
"But right now, whatever position I'm in I just have to keep doing my role.
"I'm not bigger than anyone else in this club, and I'm not bigger than anyone else in this team.
"I can't put my wants or needs in front of anyone else's. But of course, we're all competitors and it's only natural for me to obviously want to be in that position too."
Bulldogs skipper Stephen Crichton missed the West Tigers game, allowing Sean O'Sullivan to step up | Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP
O'Sullivan is without a deal for 2027 and has been linked with a move to the Super League.
"I think we're sorting through a couple of things at the moment but I'll leave that up to my manager," O'Sullivan said.
O'Sullivan is likely to revert back to a back-up role when the Bulldogs face the Warriors on Saturday providing captain Stephen Crichton is cleared to play as Canterbury look to keep pace in the race for a top-eight spot.
Should Crichton fail to get the green light following injury then O'Sullivan will relish the chance to partner Lachlan Galvin once more.
Lachlan Galvin (c) combined with Sean O'Sullivan in the halves against Wests Tigers | Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP
"Me and Locky have got on really well since I've come to the Bulldogs and I think he's a super kid," O'Sullivan said.
"He comes from a really good family and I really love him as a kid and as a player.
"I was excited that we got to play again together, and I think we complement each other really well.
"He kind of lets me do what I do well, and he can just run around like a headless chook."
