Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo has doubled down on his belief in Lachlan Galvin, insisting the 20-year-old remains a crucial part of their premiership push.
Speaking on Nine's Today on Friday, Ciraldo praised Galvin's impact since arriving mid-season, despite criticism that the youngster disrupted the Bulldogs' momentum.
"He is incredible," Ciraldo said.
"What he has been able to achieve this year with all that attention and scrutiny on him has been remarkable for a 20-year-old."
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The third-year coach was equally as emphatic when asked if he had made the right decision with the Galvin acquisition.
"Yes I did," he said.
Ciraldo also welcomed the return of Toby Sexton, believing the halfback's partnership with Galvin has the potential to spark Canterbury's attack against the defending champions Penrith.
"Those two guys combine really nicely," he said.
"They are really good friends day-to-day at training.
"I think they will do a really good job."
The Bulldogs enter Sunday's sudden-death clash against the Panthers under immense pressure, having lost five of their past seven games, including last week's 26-18 defeat to Melbourne.
But Ciraldo is adamant that his young halves pairing can rise to the occasion, pointing to Galvin's resilience under scrutiny and Sexton's improvement as reasons for optimism.
"The stuff he has added to our team has been awesome," he said.
"To have Toby [Sexton] to come back last week and show some improvement was really good."
With captain Stephen Crichton racing the clock to overcome an ankle injury, Canterbury's hopes may hinge on whether Ciraldo's faith in his reshaped spine pays off.