NRL great Matty Johns says he doesn’t see Lachlan Galvin as a halfback, touting a switch to lock for the Bulldogs’ young star.

Galvin has made headlines all season after switching from Wests Tigers to Canterbury in May, yet despite the Dogs sitting third on the ladder, recent losses have put the playmaker under fresh scrutiny.

Playing at No.7 has forced Galvin to step into a leadership role he didn’t have at the Tigers and Johns has questioned if he would be better as a second five-eighth.

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“I don’t see him as a seven,” Johns said on the Matty and Cronk show.

“To me, Lachie is that roaming, skilful 13.”

Despite the huge move to bring Galvin to the Bulldogs, the team has won just five of the 10 games he has played for the club, contrasting with nine victories from their first 11 matches. Toby Sexton was the Dogs’ halfback before a controversial demotion in favour of Galvin.

Standing 193cm, Galvin is taller than many realise but so far weighs just 85kg. Still only 20, he could fill out significantly.

Echoing Johns, Cooper Cronk said Galvin could be a potent weapon at No.13 – yet the champion former halfback also backed him to be a long-term success at No.7.

“If he put on size and went down that 13 path, geez he’d be a very smart 13,” Cronk said.

“Isaah Yeo is the pinnacle, right. But 13s don’t kick. Imagine if you had a ball player at 13 who could kick as well. Galvin’s got that in his skill.

“I think Galvin could be a seven and I think he could be a very, very good seven. He’s got to improve in a couple of areas, his kicking game needs to evolve, but that will come with time. We always judge our young players on the 30-year-old version of themselves.

“In three years’ time, I think this guy can be a dominant seven in the comp but right now he’s got some areas to improve. And if he can get that done, there’s no doubt that they’re (Bulldogs) a threat.”

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Johns said that Galvin could be the next evolutionary step for the lock position, with the likes of Yeo already operating as prolific passers alongside the halves.

“There’s some positions that continually evolve and 13 is one,” Johns said.

“Thirteen traditionally through the 1970s and 80s was almost a short-side playmaker. He was like the second six.

“And then all of a sudden through Bradley Clyde, he became a metre-eater. And then because we class them as a middle (forward) now, they become (Jason) Taumalolo and whatnot. And now what we’re starting to see is going, ‘OK, we’ve got to score points to win’, and you’re starting to see more of that skilful player.”

Coming off back-to-back losses, the Bulldogs will face Yeo’s Penrith on Thursday night as they fight to keep their premiership credentials afloat.