“The first year he came to Canterbury [at the end of 2022], we were a struggling club and struggling team, but he knew how he wanted things done.
“Some coaches would have compromised or changed to suit the roster he had. He didn’t. He didn’t compromise at all.
“And he’s won in the long term. I’m not sure how many people survived that period and are still here. But he set the club up for where we wanted to go, which is good.”
To appreciate what Ciraldo has done at Canterbury in a short amount of time, take a peek at the playing roster. Only half-a-dozen players – Max King, Jacob Kiraz, Matt Burton, Viliame Kikau, Sam Hughes and Jacob Preston – remain from the 2023 NRL squad.
If players cannot get the job done, Ciraldo will find someone who can. He demands excellence. He is forever trying to better himself.
As Gould says: “He’s been on a mission of personal development the whole time I’ve known him – that’s what stands him apart. We all benefit from that”.
Ciraldo has also learnt to be at peace with the level of external interest and commentary about Canterbury.
The Bulldogs have made huge strides under coach Cameron Ciraldo. But can they take the next step?Credit: NRL Photos
When you have a person such as Gould giving polarising opinions on 100% Footy every Monday night while juggling a day job at the Bulldogs, it will always leave you open to criticism and ridicule from rival fans.
The outside noise reached a crescendo in the middle of last year when Canterbury signed Lachlan Galvin from the Wests Tigers. It was one of the biggest stories of the year. There was a lot of emotion. The Tigers’ switchboard dealt with several threatening calls directed at Galvin, who was still a teen.
Tigers players were fuming, while the Bulldogs were already travelling along nicely with Toby Sexton in the No.7 jumper. Did they even need Galvin?
Again, Ciraldo did not waver.
Lachlan Galvin was constantly in the headlines last season.Credit: Getty Images
He may not have realised at the time, but Ciraldo started biting back in a few of his press conferences, especially when it came to Galvin.
Even during his final post-match press conference, following a 46-26 semi-final loss to former club Penrith, Ciraldo said the attention on Galvin in the lead-up was “crap”, and highlighted how “our guys have had to deal with a lot more scrutiny than other places”.
“I thought the amount of attention we got last year was over the top, but I can also understand why,” Ciraldo says as he sits back in the stands at Glen Willow Sports Stadium in Mudgee after his players have just completed a bruising opposed session on a humid morning.
“As for Lachie, I felt for him and his family, but he handled it well.
The Bulldogs coach casts his eye over his players this week.Credit: Canterbury Bulldogs
“Players who want to be great players, they want to be in pressure situations, they want to be in grand finals and Origin games, and any time the outside noise is around.
“To go through what he already has, and only at 20, it will really benefit him moving forward.
“He’s improved so much. These last eight weeks of pre-season, he’s improved out of sight. He’s still got a lot of things to learn, but he’ll only get better at understanding our systems.”
Galvin and Burton are expected to be the starting halves come round one in Las Vegas against St George Illawarra. Mitch Woods is young and generated a lot of hype, Sean O’Sullivan is on the books and a reliable halves option, but they are likely to start with the Galvin-Burton pairing.
Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo and general manager Phil Gould are signed until 2031.Credit: Canterbury Bulldogs
Ciraldo has been mixing up his halves combinations. He’s done so across the park, just as he did on Thursday with Stephen Crichton running at left centre and Bronson Xerri at right centre. It was more a case of players being ready for all scenarios.
The Bulldogs made it to week one of the finals in 2024. They bombed out in week two last season. So what should fans expect this year?
At the very least they deserve to be in the premiership discussion with premiers Brisbane, Penrith, Melbourne, a fully fit South Sydney and the Sydney Roosters, whose roster is arguably the best in the NRL.
Canterbury have kept the bulk of their roster. They have added prop Leo Thompson, a heavyweight game-changer who has already made his mark.
“The moment he started training, it felt like he was one of the missing pieces we’d been searching for – he has a high footy IQ and brings that presence,” Ciraldo says.
Canterbury’s trump card is captain Crichton, who spends so much time liaising with Ciraldo during any hit-out, and motivating the players. He is always talking, and easy to spot with the mullet that somehow grows another couple of inches each year.
Sitili Tupouniua will be better for a season at the club, Jacob Preston is pushing hard for a NSW Origin call-up, while young lock Finau Latu, whose exit from St George Illawarra last year left the Dragons fuming, hits 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 the pressure moments and situations,” Ciraldo says. “Our message to the players is you better get used to it.
“I feel like our programs have improved every year. The way our players attack training has improved every year.
“I don’t sit there thinking about whether we’re in the premiership window. If we get better each day, it will take care of itself.
“It’s been a good journey so far. I’m enjoying this as much as I ever have.”
