Giving any NRL coach a five-year contract whose surname is not Bellamy, Robinson, Cleary or Bennett is a risk.
Handing one to a rookie who has nine NRL fill-in matches under his belt is a massive gamble.
Canterbury ended whatever lingering doubt was left on Sunday by finally announcing Cameron Ciraldo would take the helm from 2023 onwards on a five-year deal.
Even Des Hasler, a Manly legend who won two premierships as a player and a couple more as coach as he closes in on 500 games, is on an incentive-based three-year contract.
The original “super coach”, Jack Gibson, never stayed longer than three years in a stint at a club because he was convinced players stopped listening to the same voice over and over.
Ciraldo will continue assisting Ivan Cleary at the Panthers until the end of this season before kicking off pre-season training at the Bulldogs in November.
Cameron Ciraldo. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
The 37-year-old former Sharks, Knights and Panthers second-rower will have a few familiar faces when he lobs at Belmore in the form of five-eighth Matt Burton, incoming star recruit Viliame Kikau and general manager Phil Gould, who was running the show at Penrith when Ciraldo played his last couple of seasons and during the first few years of his coaching apprenticeship.
Gould was famously known for a five-year plan to rebuild the club which continued well beyond that term and he’s made a similar investment in Ciraldo, who had recently knocked back an approach from the Wests Tigers for a similar timeframe.
The decision to give Ciraldo such a lengthy deal for his first head coaching assignment could prove to be a masterstroke, it could backfire on the Bulldogs.
Just two years ago, they were making similar statements about how another former Panthers assistant coach, Trent Barrett, was going to turn their fortunes around.
But 18 months into a three-year deal Barrett saw the writing on the wall and jumped before he was pushed out the kennel’s doggie door.
Mick Potter has done a superb job as caretaker and if he doesn’t remain on Ciraldo’s support staff at the Dogs, he should have no trouble finding a gig elsewhere, perhaps if a head coaching vacancy pops up in the near future.
He was handed a near impossible first assignment as the NRL head coach a decade ago at the Wests Tigers and thoroughly deserves another chance.
How Ciraldo goes in his first crack as the head honcho will be one of the main storylines of 2023.
The Bulldogs are still rebuilding following the mess left behind by Des Hasler’s back-ended contracts to ageing veterans which curtailed any chance Dean Pay had of succeeding when he was appointed coach.
Ciraldo inherits an improving roster with Kikau and Eels hooker Reed Mahoney adding to a team that has started to find its feet under Potter.
The decision to move Jake Averillo from the halves or centre to fullback has given the Dogs a strike weapon from the back. He will only get better in the No.1 jersey.
Potter is also getting better value out of on of this year’s marquee signings, Tevita Pangai jnr, by returning him from the edge to the middle where he can be at his destructive best.
Burton’s playmaking skills have improved as the season has gone on – he will never be a chief organiser at five-eighth, nor should be be, but his impact at the attacking end has gone through the roof pretty much since he was given his first NSW jersey in Origin II.
(Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
His left-side combination with Josh Addo-Carr is becoming one of the best one-two punches in the NRL.
Sorting out halfback will be Ciraldo’s top task. Kyle Flanagan, after Gould curiously told Barrett the young playmaker was not ready for first grade at the start of the season, has gradually become more effective in the No.7 jersey.
He enters 2023 in the final year of his contract and Canterbury are circling St George Illawarra rising star Jayden Sullivan, who is likely to leave if the Dragons achieve their goal of extending skipper Ben Hunt’s deal for a few more years.
There have been plenty of examples brought up recently of rookie coaches being handed the keys to a team and then quickly being removed from the driver’s seat, like Pay, Garth Brennan, John Morris (perhaps unfairly) or having their future in great peril like Justin Holbrook and Adam O’Brien.
Anthony Seibold, like Ciraldo, was given a five-year deal despite a brief resume.
He had won Dally M Coach of the Year after taking the Rabbitohs to the finals in his rookie year before he was given a long-term multimillion-dollar contract by the Broncos.
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
After all sorts of off-season machinations, he ended up switching roles with Wayne Bennett a year early but Seibold’s Brisbane stint ended in disaster within two seasons while Bennett took the Bunnies to last year’s Grand Final.
That’s the glass half-empty viewpoint – the example that the Bulldogs are hoping to replicate is Craig Fitzgibbon’s first-year success at the Sharks.
Fitzgibbon served an even lengthier and more successful stint as an assistant at the Roosters before signing on the dotted line with Cronulla and even he only got a three-year offer.
He was walking into a much better situation than what Ciraldo will confront – Morris had blooded several promising young prospects after the 2016 premiership-winning squad had moved or been moved on.
Ciraldo is unlikely to do too much roster rearranging heading into his first season but he will have flexibility for 2024 and beyond – Canterbury only have five players contracted beyond next year.
His arrival should help in their quest to extend the contract of their most important player in Burton, who will not opt into his 2024 option because he could earn much more elsewhere.
The Dogs will be able to splash the cash to lock Burton away and build around him to ensure Ciraldo will have all that he needs to break Canterbury’s longest playoff drought since the 1950s.
Ultimately, Canterbury have done well to sign the person touted as the best option on the market and the five-year deal is fraught with danger but when you’re at a club that demands success and you’re about to miss the finals for a sixth straight year, you have to take a risk.
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London Panther
Roar Rookie
I like the Dogs but you keep proving my point TB. I said above that the current spine (plus RM) could be good if given some time to develop; if the Dogs show patience and develop the players they have. Yourresponse is that rather than run with Averillo (who seems like one of the most talented young kids in the comp) and develop him, the Dogs will chase the equally talented but better coached Critta. When pointed out the Dogs have bought a few fullbacks in the past few years, including Allen (who the Dogs reportedly pay $500k for), your response is that Allen’s position in the game was over-rated when he was signed and he has a bad attitude (maybe both are true). But if so, why sign him and on the good wage he is on? It seems just another example of the Dogs looking for the quick fix. And the most disappointing aspect of that is the past 6 years have all been about paying for the sins of the last era when (you guessed it) Des and management tried to cut corners with back-ended contracts.
What the!
Guest
Corey Allan is just one to add to the long list of sad players to have had the misfortune of signing up at the Bulldogs to play fullback. You were saying to Albo , it’s not just having the players, it’s the coaching ‘. That’s very true & absolutely applies to your Bulldogs . Although that’s a pretty well known fact & not an original idea . So in the Bulldogs case , it’s been take a very good player, coach him very poorly . Break his spirit & dump in NSW Cup. Then get rid of him. Move on to the next buy. Then you blame the player for the club’s inability for not being able to get the best out of them. As you just have. Seems that you change your view ,depending on the discussion . As up above , it’s we’ve had the players, it’s the poor coaches. Now from you , it’s not the coaches or clubs fault. It’s the player just changed from a being very good , to very poor. You should post your comments under ‘Barry Sail’ . As you just change what your opinion is on something , depending on which way the winds blowing.
Chris
Guest
Every teams supporters bemoan the loss of good players from there club, or coaches. It certainly has been a lot of players & coaches being bought away from the Panthers over years. So why aren’t any Penrith supporters allowed to do the same as anyone else? I’ve seen plenty of Bulldogs supporters doing exactly this regarding even a few former players like Finucane. It will happen again to the Dogs, then Dogs supporters will be commenting just the same way.
The Barry
Roar Guru
So that’s just the fault of the Bulldogs and Allan has no responsibility for his form? He was given an extended run in the side earlier this year and wasn’t good enough to hold down his position. He’s got a bunch of rookies holding him out of the wing, centre and fullback positions Allan also had a team mate have a crack at his effort and attitude earlier in the season for not having a go and then laughing about losing in the sheds He was also more a centre or winger who filled in at fullback when Latrell was injured. He was in and out of first grade at both the Broncos and Souths and that’s continued at the Bulldogs Nah, it’s all the Bulldogs fault that he’s not playing first grade “Corey Allan was a rep player when he left South Sydney” hmm, technically true but stretching the truth. He’d played one game for an injury ravaged Queensland in the post season Origin series of 2020. Remember how many wingers and fullbacks had been injured / withdrawn before Allan got a run…? “I’ve watched plenty of League” - doesn’t sound like it champ. Sounds like another lightweight guest account coming in to have cheap pot shots without knowing much about footy at all Not even enough imagination to come up with your own insults… you have to piggy back of someone else :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
What the!
Guest
Who’s Jimbo & the Roosters supporter? I think that’s someone from your strange imagination. I’ve watched plenty of League & seen enough players go to the Bulldogs to know that London is spot on , with his opinion about the fullback position there. Corey Allan was a rep player when he left South Sydney . Lucky he went to the Bulldogs to play fullback there & now Canterbury Cup. I bet he’s so happy.
Robbo
Roar Rookie
Having read all posts - my input is that not all high level footballers are very clever - they get guided through a weekly approach to life which is comfortable for them to focus on training without having to think too hard. No matter how good a coach is, there are 17 players on a team on any given day that can win or lose a game. If you haven't got the cattle to execute, you haven't got the cattle. Its a simplified view but my point is that even Wayne Bennett couldn't get a lot of the teams to a premiership in 4 years or so, even with some changes in cattle, yet the poor old coach is always the scapegoat, not the club culture, not the divas in the team and not the fitness professionals
The Barry
Roar Guru
By your own admission, you don’t even watch footy Jimbo… too busy with YouTube Aren’t you a roosters fan? And you want to point fingers about local juniors… hahaha I always know when you chime in on the opposite side of an argument I’m doing ok
What the!
Guest
Absolutely. Bulldogs, the place players go to destroy their careers , as fullbacks. They must give all of these players the spiel about Canterbury , the family club. Come here & be part of this great club where you will be the fullback. ( At least until we tell the next guy the same thing . Then you can go to the wing , or NSW Cup ) . As there sure has been a lot of payers in recent years who’ve gone there to play fullback. Addi-Carr is still waiting.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Hahaha.. I’m really not upset. Honestly. I promise. I’m having fun. I’m laughing at you… I agree, you wrote nothing offensive at all… just an amusing chip on your shoulder sook. The best part is even while your team is winning, you’re whining… My first comment was a complete tongue in cheek parody of you… which you absolutely lived up to… it’s hilarious I’m sorry if you don’t see it
The Barry
Roar Guru
When I support the Bulldogs? I’ve seen the Dogs play in 12 grand finals and win six premierships…
The Barry
Roar Guru
I don’t know what you’re talking about… the Bulldogs only sign the players other clubs don’t want…
Chris
Guest
Can’t see why you got your nickers in a knot , about my statement above in the first place? I read it again & there’s absolutely nothing offensive there at all, or anything that should be upsetting to you. It’s all just well known & stated facts. You are very easily upset about nothing?
Chris
Guest
Maybe? Panthers supporters can just watch all the top Panthers players go around & enjoy watching their talent. The same as you’ll be doing, when you support the Bulldogs?
Chris
Guest
Yet, the Bulldogs love to buy their players & coaches now anyway? The Bulldogs have never been too different to how they are right now? The only thing to slightly change, is where they buy their players from. Plus coaches etc. Having said that , West’s Magpies have had a couple of very good results in junior grades. A GF team & a GF winning team. Something for the Bulldogs to take a good look at. It will be like old times again, with some more Magpies there too.
London Panther
Roar Rookie
As good as Allen did? He was the SOO rep signed for the 2020 comp that hasn’t been seen since. Dufty was going to be the injection needed in 2022. Doesn’t Addo-Carr still have a claim on the number 1 also, or was that an accepted ploy for him to get fullback money on the wing. You could be like Freddy and play a complete team of fullbacks…
The Barry
Roar Guru
Won’t be long now and all you fair weather panthers supporters can go back into hibernation for 20 years… :laughing:
The Barry
Roar Guru
Other than a once every 20 years outbreak of mild success, the panthers have dwelt near the bottom of the ladder for 55 years…
Chris
Guest
All your Dogs have is ‘buying now’. If not for money bags Laundy, they’d continue to dwell near the bottom of the competition. They don’t even have a genuine home ground. I heard that if Penrith get a new stadium built, the Bulldogs demand to use it half the time. So many of the Bulldogs players, won’t feel homesick.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Crichton is going to look great in the blue and white 1 jersey…
The Barry
Roar Guru
No, that’s the one…