"Of course" Cameron Ciraldo wants off-contract Toby Sexton as Canterbury's halfback beyond 2025 after the club bowed out of the race for Daly Cherry-Evans.
Bulldogs football boss Phil Gould on Thursday night ruled out a play for the NRL's hottest off-contract talent even though Canterbury are without a first-grade starting halfback for 2026.
Third-year coach Ciraldo wants Sexton to be that man, after the Queensland product emerged as one of the surprise success stories of the 'Dogs' resurgent 2024 campaign.
"Of course," Ciraldo said.
"Things change over time and people move here and there but Toby's been a big addition to our team since he got down here 18 months ago. He's a really popular member of our squad.
"We love having him here."
Sexton is in the final season of his two-and-a-half year deal and has been free to negotiate with rival clubs for 2026 since November.
"We're not worried about that (contracts) at the moment," Ciraldo said.
"I'll leave that to Gus (Gould) and Toby's manager and my job is to try and help Toby become a better footballer every day."
In addition to Sexton, the Bulldogs have highly-rated young half Mitchell Woods coming through the system - another reason for passing on Cherry-Evans amid his messy split from Manly.
The Sydney Roosters and Dolphins are rated the two likeliest candidates to snare the halfback's signature following Canterbury's withdrawal.
"We're really happy with how we're going here," Ciraldo said.
"Toby's doing a good job and we've got young, developing halves on their way up. We're going to stick to our plan and wish him (Cherry-Evans) all the best."
Sexton impressed with a marathon kicking performance in last week's defeat of Parramatta and is set for two more games guiding the team in the absence of talisman Matt Burton.
Burton, Viliame Kikau and Jacob Kiraz are all due back from injury for the round-seven clash against South Sydney.
This weekend's game with heavyweights Cronulla looms as a bigger challenge for Sexton, with Ciraldo hopeful hooker Reed Mahoney and five-eighth Bailey Hayward can pitch in with more kicking at Shark Park.
"At the moment, (Sexon) has got a big responsibility with 'Burto' not being in the team," Ciraldo said.
"He did an outstanding job last week. We're going to have to share the (kicking) load there, obviously Reed kicks out of there a little bit and Toby did the majority last week.
"Bailey sort of warmed into the role, he'll have to take a bit of responsibility there this week as well."
Beat Cronulla on Saturday and the Bulldogs will start the season 4-0 for the first time in 32 seasons.
Only one member of the current playing squad - Kurt Mann - was born when Canterbury last achieved the feat in 1993.
"I was in year three (at primary school), not doing much, probably dreaming of being in positions like this," Ciraldo said.
"That's a pretty cool stat but it means nothing if we don't win this weekend. We're not worried about what we've done in the first three weeks, it's all about preparing for this game."
