Bulldogs Fans Question Bailey Hayward’s Position After Disappointing Performance
Bulldogs supporters are beginning to question whether Bailey Hayward should consider a positional change after another underwhelming performance at dummy-half. The team’s third consecutive loss, a 28-12 defeat to the Cowboys on Friday night, has led fans to call for several changes from coach Cameron Ciraldo. The Bulldogs’ struggles have been evident, particularly in their halves play and overall attack.
Despite Lachlan Galvin scoring the opening try with a solid display, the halfback position remains a concern. Stephen Crichton is also struggling due to a shoulder injury, which has affected his form. Additionally, the team lacked the necessary punch through the middle of the field, further compounding their issues.
Phil Rothfield, a former reporter, highlighted one of the most worrying aspects of the game: Bailey Hayward’s performance. Hayward took over as the No.9 last year following Reed Mahoney’s unexpected move to the Cowboys for the 2026 season. Mahoney proved to be a valuable asset, scoring a try and playing a key role in the Cowboys’ dominant win. In contrast, Hayward was not nearly as influential, finishing with just one run for five metres.
The Bulldogs are currently lacking creativity in their attack, having only managed two tries despite spending significant time in the Cowboys’ 20-meter zone. Many believe that Hayward’s lack of creativity around the ruck is contributing to this issue. Rothfield raised this concern during the match, highlighting the need for a change in approach.
Another point of contention was the decision to move Jacob Preston from his usual right edge. Preston has been one of the more consistent second-rowers in the competition and is in strong contention for a State of Origin debut this year. However, Viliame Kikau’s injury forced Ciraldo to shift Preston to the left side. This move did not yield positive results, frustrating many supporters.
Fans also pointed out Mahoney’s performance against his former club as a pivotal moment in the Bulldogs’ recent slump. His impact was clear, and it has sparked discussions about what the team is missing without him.
Bulldogs Lament Soft Defence in Second-Half
Cameron Ciraldo expressed disappointment with the Bulldogs’ defensive efforts against the Cowboys’ backline. “The way we finished to let in three really soft tries is not good enough,” Ciraldo said. He acknowledged that the team is currently low on confidence and needs to remember the positives from the first 60 minutes of the game.
Supporters are likely to continue calling for changes, and the situation will become even more challenging for the Bulldogs next week when they face the Dolphins.
Todd Payten Praises Cowboys Effort
The Cowboys have shown resilience by securing two consecutive wins following their heavy loss to Manly. Coach Todd Payten praised the team’s efforts, especially their ability to perform away from home. “There’s no doubt that we’re going to have to be more resilient as a group when we defend and we showed that tonight and have shown it in periods through this year,” Payten said.
He also highlighted the consistency of the Cowboys’ performances, noting that they have been effective in getting out of their own end without making errors that put them under pressure. “Everyone’s contributing and that was a real team performance tonight,” Payten added.
