“The first year he came to Canterbury [at the end of 2022]we were a struggling club and a struggling team, but he knew how he wanted to do things.
“Some coaches would compromise or change to fit the roster he had. He didn’t. 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 set the club where we wanted to go, which is good.”
To appreciate what Ciraldo has achieved at Canterbury in a short space of time, take a look at the fixture list. Only half a dozen players remain from the 2023 NRL squad – Max King, Jacob Kiraz, Matt Burton, Viliame Kikau, Sam Hughes and Jacob Preston.
If the players can’t complete their work, Ciraldo will find someone who can. It demands perfection. He is constantly trying to improve himself.
As Gould says, “The whole time I’ve known him, he’s been on a mission for personal development—that’s what sets him apart. We all benefit from that.”
Ciraldo also learned to accept a degree of outside interest and comment 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 like Gould who gives polarizing opinions 100% Footy every Monday night while juggling a day job with the Bulldogs, you’re always open to criticism and ridicule from opposing fans.
The outside noise peaked in the middle of last year when Canterbury signed Lachlan Galvin from the Wests Tigers. It was one of the greatest stories year. There was a lot of emotion. The Tigers’ switchboard dealt several threatening calls he pointed at Galvin, who was still a teenager.
The Tigers players were fuming while the Bulldogs were already going along nicely with Toby Sexton in the jump at No. 7. 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 realized it at the time, but Ciraldo began to bite in several of his press conferences, especially when it came to Galvin.
Even during his final postgame press conference after a Semifinal loss 46:26 at former club Penrith Ciraldo said the focus on Galvin in the opener was “crap” and stressed that “our guys 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 see why,” says Ciraldo, sitting in the stands at Mudgee’s Glen Willow Sports Stadium after his players had just finished a bruising match on a wet morning.
“As for Lachie, I felt for him and his family, but he did well.
The Bulldogs coach looks at 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 whenever there’s noise out there.
“To go through what he’s already had, and at only 20 years old, it’s really going to benefit him.
“He’s improved so much. He’s gotten better by leaps and bounds in the last eight weeks of preseason. He’s still got a lot of things to learn, but he’s only going to get better at understanding our systems.”
Galvin and Burton are expected to start in the first round in Las Vegas against St George Illawarra. Mitch Woods is young and has created a lot of hype, Sean O’Sullivan is on the list and is a solid option in the halves, but they are likely to start with the Galvin-Burton pairing.
Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo and general manager Phil Gould are signed through 2031.Credit: Canterbury Bulldogs
Ciraldo mixes combinations of his halves. He did it across the park, just like he did Thursday when Stephen Crichton ran left-center and Bronson Xerri ran right-center. It was more about the players being prepared for all scenarios.
The Bulldogs made it to the first week of the finals in 2024. They bombed in the second week 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, fully fit South Sydney and the Sydney Roosters, whose roster is arguably the best in the NRL.
Canterbury retained most of its roster. They added the prop of Leo Thompson, a heavyweight player who had already established himself.
“The moment he started coaching, he felt like he was one of the missing pieces we were looking for — he has a high IQ and brings that presence,” says Ciraldo.
Canterbury’s trump card is captain Crichton, who spends so much time liaising with Ciraldo during any intervention and motivating the players. He talks all the time and it’s easy to spot him with a mullet that somehow grows another few inches every year.
Sitili Tupouniua will be better for the season at the club, Jacob Preston is pushing hard for a NSW Origin call-up, while young lock Finau Latuwhose departure from St George Illawarra last year left the Dragons smoking, has hit 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 the players is to get used to it.
“I feel like our programs have gotten better every year. The way our players attack practice has gotten better every year.
“I’m not sitting there thinking if we’re in the premiership window. If we improve every day it will take care of itself.
“It’s been a good ride so far. I’m enjoying it like never before.”
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