Cameron Ciraldo has predicted Lachlan Galvin will have no issue dealing with his Wests Tigers grudge match, suggesting the Canterbury halfback is almost immune to the spotlight.
Galvin will face his former club on Sunday for the first time since walking out on them two months ago, at the Tigers' adopted home of CommBank Stadium.
Tigers coach Benji Marshall said this week it was up to fans if they wanted to boo the 20-year-old, while Jarome Luai suggested it was almost inevitable.
But that is of no concern to the Bulldogs, who have barely broached the subject to Galvin, after his best game in Canterbury colours last week helped keep the side in the top two.
"We're talking all the time about his mindset around footy, and coming in here and learning his lessons. And he's been great at that," coach Ciraldo said.
"But I don't think we have to talk too much about what's happening outside of the field.
"It's just him staying focused and being present with what his job is on the field.
"We haven't thought too much about that. Lachy has handled himself really well since he got here and really well this week."
Galvin has been the biggest talking point of the NRL since informing the Tigers in April that he would not re-sign with the club after 2026.
That was followed by claims of bullying at the Tigers, with the fallout of his decision including social media posts from players and legal threats from Galvin's camp.
The playmaker was eventually granted a mid-season release to Canterbury in late May.
His maiden Canterbury outing against Parramatta was then one of the most anticipated games of the year, scoring a try in a 23-minute cameo off the bench.
More questions then lingered around the potential destabilisation of the Bulldogs' side, as Galvin came in and out of the halves.
All eyes were again on the mid-season recruit after he replaced Toby Sexton in the halves a fortnight ago, before the Bulldogs' attack really clicked against Manly last week.
Sunday should theoretically serve as the end of the circus, with Galvin now the Bulldogs chosen halfback for their run to the finals.
"It's pretty impressive. There has been a lot of attention around him," Ciraldo said.
"I think he has to get used to that. That's the way his career is going to go. He is going to be a high-profile player and draw a lot of attention.
"And if he keeps continuing to handle it the way he has handled it so far, he is going to do really well."
Ciraldo also said he expected fullback Connor Tracey to miss "a few weeks" with his "unusual" abdominal issue, with Jacob Kiraz to start at fullback.
