Why only six players remain from Ciraldo’s first season at the Canterbury Bulldogs
First year at Canterbury [at the end of 2022]We were a struggling club and a struggling team, but he knew how he wanted things done.
“Some coaches would compromise or change things to fit the squad he had. He didn’t do that. He didn’t compromise at all.
“And he won in the long run. I’m not sure how many people survived that period and are still here. But he built the club around where we wanted to go, which is a good thing.”
Take a look at the squad to appreciate what Ciraldo has done in his short time at Canterbury. Only half a dozen players (Max King, Jacob Cherry, Matt Burton, Viliame Kikau, Sam Hughes and Jacob Preston) remain from the 2023 NRL squad.
If the players can’t do the job, Ciraldo will find someone who can. It demands perfection. He is constantly trying to improve himself.
As Gould says: “The entire time I’ve known him he’s been on a mission of personal development; that’s what sets him apart from others. We all benefit from that.”
Ciraldo has also learned to be at peace with the level of outside interest and commentary about Canterbury.
The Bulldogs have made great progress under coach Cameron Ciraldo. So will they be able to take the next step?Credit: NRL Pictures
Where a person like Gould has polarizing views 100% Football When you’re juggling a day job at the Bulldogs every Monday night, it will always leave you open to criticism and ridicule from opposing fans.
The outside noise came to a head midway through last year when Canterbury signed Lachlan Galvin from Wests Tigers. It was one of the biggest stories of the year. There were so many emotions. The Tigers’ switchboard handled several threatening calls against Galvin, who is still a teenager.
The Tigers players were raging, while the Bulldogs were cruising along nicely with Toby Sexton on the No. 7 jumper. Did they need Galvin?
Again, Ciraldo did not hesitate.
Lachlan Galvin was constantly in the headlines last season.Credit: Getty Images
He may not have noticed it at the time, but Ciraldo began lashing out at several of his press conferences, especially when it came to Galvin.
Even in his final post-match press conference following the 46-26 defeat against former club Penrith in the semi-finals, Ciraldo said the interest in Galvin was “nonsense” and highlighted that “our guys have had to deal with a lot more scrutiny than other places”.
“I thought the attention we got last year was over the top, but I can understand why,” says Ciraldo, sitting in the stands at Glen Willow Sports Stadium in Mudgee after his players completed a demoralizing training session on a damp morning.
“As for Lachie, I felt sorry for him and his family, but he handled it well.
The Bulldogs coach has his sights set on his players this week.Credit: Canterbury Bulldogs
“Players who want to be great players want to be under pressure, they want to be there in grand finals and Origin games and whenever there is outside noise.
“Just doing the things he already has at 20 will really benefit him moving forward.
“He’s improved so much. He’s disappeared over the last eight weeks of pre-season. He still has a lot to learn, but he’ll get better at understanding our systems.”
Galvin and Burton are expected to feature in the first half against St George Illawarra in Las Vegas. Mitch Woods is young and has generated plenty of excitement, Sean O’Sullivan is on the books and is a reliable halves option, but they will likely start with the Galvin-Burton pairing.
Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo and general manager Phil Gould have been signed to contracts through 2031.Credit: Canterbury Bulldogs
Ciraldo mixes up half combinations. He did it on the other side of the park, just as he did on Thursday with Stephen Crichton running left center and Bronson Xerri running right center. It was more a matter of the actors being ready for all scenarios.
The Bulldogs made it to week one of the finals in 2024. They had a bombastic performance in the second week of last season. So what should fans expect this year?
At the very least, they deserve to be in the premiership conversation with premierships Brisbane, Penrith, Melbourne, a fully fit South Sydney and the Sydney Roosters, whose squad is arguably the best in the NRL.
Canterbury retained the bulk of their squad. They also added Leo Thompson, the game-changing heavyweight who had already made his mark.
“The moment he started training he felt like he was one of the missing pieces we were looking for; he has a high football IQ and brings that presence,” Ciraldo says.
Canterbury’s trump card is captain Crichton, who spends a lot of time motivating the players by communicating with Ciraldo during any given innings. He’s always talking and easy to spot with his mullet somehow growing a few inches more each year.
Sitili Tupouniua will be good for another season at the club, Jacob Preston is pushing for a NSW Origin call-up, while young lock Finau Latu, whose departure from St George Illawarra angered the Dragons last year, is hitting hard and is expected to make his debut in the opening rounds.
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“We want to be the No. 1 club, we want to be a big club, we want to be in pressure moments and situations,” says Ciraldo. “Our message to our players is: You better get used to it.
“I think our programs have improved every year. Our players’ offensive practices have improved every year, too.
“I don’t sit there and think about whether we’re in prime ministership or not. If we get better every day, it will take care of itself.”
“It’s been a good journey so far. I’m enjoying it more than I’ve ever enjoyed it.”
