He is out of contract at the end of the season.
Following Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs boss Phil Gould’s confirmation that the club would not pursue Daly Cherry-Evans, attention has now shifted to their current off-contract halfback, Toby Sexton.
Sexton has played a crucial role in the Bulldogs’ rise to the top of the ladder, leading the team in the absence of star halves partner Matt Burton. His outstanding performances and rapid development over the past 18 months have earned him recognition, with the club now opening discussions with his management regarding a contract extension to keep him at Belmore.
Many initially speculated that the Bulldogs’ lack of interest in Ben Hunt, Mitchell Moses, and Cherry-Evans stemmed from their confidence in young prodigy Mitchell Woods. However, with head coach Cameron Ciraldo preferring not to rush Woods into first grade and the club’s championship window arriving sooner than expected, securing Sexton’s future now appears to be the priority.
When asked by The Sydney Morning Herald about whether club management had spoken to him regarding Cherry-Evans, Sexton responded:
“No, there was nothing, and I didn’t think anything of it.
“To be honest, and it might sound cliched, I didn’t focus on it at all,” he said. “If the club wanted to go after him, that was their decision. I never thought about it—I just concentrated on my own game and how I could contribute to the team.”
With the Bulldogs off to a 4-0 start—their best season opening since 1993—it is clearer than ever that they have found their long-term No. 7, and Sexton shares that belief.
“I feel like we’re building a strong connection within this team, and I love playing with these guys every week. That was no different [against Cronulla],” he said.
Both Ciraldo and Gould are eager to maintain the team’s momentum, ensuring the chemistry that has driven their early-season success continues to thrive.
