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Should Sexton start against the Panthers?
Nicholas Quinlan • September 14th, 2025 9:11 pm
Blake Austin thinks that the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs should keep Toby Sexton in his role on the bench.
With Stephen Crichton being given a two-to-four-week timeframe on his syndesmosis injury, Enari Tuala being out for the remainder of the year through a fractured tibia and Viliame Kikau in doubt for the semi-final with a fractured eye socket, questions are being raised about who comes into the line-up for their all-important clash against the Panthers.
This has prompted calls about a potential reshuffling of positions, which might see Sexton back into the starting line-up despite being under his own injury cloud.
Having made his return to first grade in the Bulldogs’ 26-18 loss to the Melbourne Storm in the Qualifying Final, the former starting halfback had plenty of impact off the bench.
In the 61 minutes that he was on, Sexton had a good game, which was capped off with scoring the opening try for the Dogs.
But Austin believes that Sexton is better off maintaining that role rather than starting, having noted the difficulties and pressure that role can bring.
“It’s really tough,” Austin said.
“I think they’ve gone down the path of Burton and Galvin (being the halves pair) for so long (that) I think they have to stick with that.
“I think he’ll (Ciraldo) keep Sexton on the bench like he did in that game (against the Storm).
“Like, let’s break down what Sexton has done too. He straightened the attack; he found a few passing lanes that I think the other two halves couldn’t have found.
“But probably similar to (Jack) Cogger did for the Panthers a few years ago.
“Coming on and pinch-hitting is a completely different kettle of fish (compared to) stepping onto the field knowing that the results are solely on your shoulders.”
The Bulldogs will face off against the Penrith Panthers in the semi-final next Sunday at Accor Stadium.
They’ll likely welcome back Bronson Xerri into the side following his concussion sustained against the Sharks in the final home-and-away game.
