With almost an entire team’s worth of players currently on the sidelines, one might be forgiven for thinking that this is the time for keeping as much continuity as possible at Canterbury.
Not Cameron Ciraldo. The rookie coach has swapped his halves for their crunch clash with Cronulla at Homebush, with Matt Burton set to wear the 7 jumper for the first time in two years – and only the second time ever – instead of Kyle Flanagan, who will sport the 6.
While it might look like a purely semantic change, Ciro insisted that it was not, and that Burton would be playing halfback and Flanagan as a five eighth.
“It’s just a slight change, we thought we’d tinker with it a little bit,” he said.
“Matt’s been growing over the last few years in that playmaker role and I think it’s time for him to step up and take more ownership of the team and he’s really excited by that.
“Also, it just allows Kyle to focus on a few simple things in his game and we’re excited about what that can do as well.
“In training this week, he’s shown that there’s a weight off his shoulders and he can concentrate on himself a little bit more. Hopefully we see that come out tomorrow.”
The changing of the numbers was intended as a message to Burton.
“It’s a symbol of your team and where Matt sits in our team,” said Ciraldo. “We could have made some slight changes behind the scenes but we wanted to be open and transparent about it, we want Matt to step up and take ownership of the team.
“We think he’s ready for that. A while back he probably wasn’t ready for it, but he’s really grown into the leadership role, he’s one of our on-field captains and the change of jerseys is a little bit symbolic of where he can go with his footy.”
The decision, Ciraldo said, was based on the progress of Burton as a leader, as exemplified by the recent victory over the Cowboys.
“I think you saw at the end of the Cowboys game, he owned the back end of it,” explained the coach.
“We think by giving Matt more ownership we can get that out of him more often. It’s what the team needs right now from Matt, but he’s also matured over the last two years. From when I last saw him at Penrith to where he is now, he’s a lot more mature and comfortable in his own skin.
“He’s ready to take the next step in terms of leadership on the field and owning parts of the game plan.
“Matt’s a pretty quiet sort of guy and we just want him to be himself. There’s also that presence around the group where when he says something, the boys listen and they believe in what he’s doing.
“It took him by surprise to start with, but he agrees that there are some things that we can improve. There’s things that he can help us improve with his standing and position in the team and what his strengths are.
(Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
“We’ve been talking to Matt about evolving his game over the first seven rounds, and I think we’ve seen signs of that. Definitely, when he gets more involved and takes ownership we’re a better team so we just want to see that more often.”
Many interpreted the decision as one that might see Flanagan sidelined in the near future with gun rookie Karl Oloapu, who has impressed in NSW Cup, come into the side late, though Ciraldo squashed those rumours.
There will be a return for youngster Declan Casey, who gets a chance on an edge with Josh Addo-Carr and Jacob Kiraz both injured and Braidon Burns on day-to-day with a foot problem.
Despite the horror luck with injuries, the coach insisted that the group were as strong as ever.
“I’m confident in the guys we’ve got coming in,” he said.
“Declan is one of those guys who’s got incredible talent. He’s had a couple of injury things hold him back to this point, but him and Braidon Burns are talented players and they get an opportunity to show everyone what they can do.
“I see them embracing the challenge. Yesterday was one of the best days at training that we’ve had.
“No one was thinking about who was missing, they’ve just got on with it. No one is talking about it within our four walls and that’s what I’m most proud of. We embrace the guys that come into the team and want to celebrate them.”
KenW
Roar Rookie
Not a bad call at all, but surely they couldn't have much more space in the cap
KenW
Roar Rookie
While their injury toll is unfortunate, there is probably a long-term silver lining for Ciraldo. Bulldogs fans were looking at their roster and (understandably) very ready to see some results after a long time in the wilderness. The end result would have been a fair bit of pressure on a rookie coach to bring it all together and immediately make it work. That's gone out the window now, any competitiveness is rightfully lauded and losses are expected. Ciraldo gets some time to settle in his processes, get some experience with his 'next men up' and can gradually reintroduce his stars as the year goes on. Not for a moment suggesting he would have wanted it, but long-term this period might bring some benefits.
Abbot
Roar Rookie
If Burton can play half, imagine Wighton at five eighth…. Is it too late for the dogs to chase him?
Dodgy Dragons
Roar Rookie
I have been really interested in the Bulldogs performance this season under Ciraldo, which is weird for a dragons supporter. He has got them all playing together as a team and his recruitment strategy has been top notch, and you bulldogs supporters have a lot to be positive about in 24. Injuries have cruelled 23 so far, but it’s the effort the whole squad is turning up with, and the plans that the coach has in place that for me sees the dogs moving quickly in positive direction when injured players come back on deck. Flanagan at half is the only dodgy peice of the jigsaw puzzle that is missing. I’d be trying to use Reynolds’s there atm in short bursts when the dogs have ascendency in attack, or just before the opposition do their first lot of interchanges to try and spark the bulldogs attack, because Flanagan offers nothing, just passes the ball on and doesn’t engage defenders. With half your squad manning the pine doesn’t help with any of that, but it will turn around hopefully. What Canterbury have done since flicking Barrett is something I hope the plonkers within my organisation would take note of and follow.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Yeah good comments Sometimes I think the criticism of Flanagan is over the top, but it’s mostly spot on He’s just not a threat in any areas of the game other than his defence, which is good I think we need to be careful with Oloapu. I’ve watched a few reggies games and he’s terrible defensively. Poor technique and just Diane like the collision Your plan of Reynolds at 6 and Oloapu off the bench seems right. Just need to get the timing right to bring him in… not sure against the Sharks and a firing Nicho is the time I was encouraged by TPJ’s first stint. He was a bit loose - probably tired - in his second
Joister
Roar Rookie
Not quite related to Flanagan as more to say I feel for the dogs in that they were playing some great footy and winning some grinding wins before injuries set in. Not my team (but are supported by a heap of my mates) and is great to see them playing with what you mentioned above Bloke7 (There’s a lot to like about Ciraldo’s effect on the Bulldogs this year. We have more fluid attack). It's been a hard few years of late and hope things sort themselves out in the halves.
RLFan
Roar Rookie
I think it would be a mistake to bring Oluapu into the game against Cronulla, who are flying high at the moment, but agree he should be eased in some time soon. Flanagan's attack is very disappointing, but he is a good defender and at the moment we need all we can get of that. Ciraldo is instilling a good attitude into the group, but it is a big task with so many of our top players out. I know it is several week's away, but am looking forward to the time when all our injured players are back as there has been no chance to guage how the full team will perform.
Bloke7
Roar Rookie
There's a lot to like about Ciraldo's effect on the Bulldogs this year. We have more fluid attack, right up until we're close to the line where we lack leadership by our halfback Flanagan, with Burton not looking much more confident from that range. But we are running deeper lines and faster sweeping passing movements with more variation. Our defence looks good for large patches but we seem to struggle mentally after a few dodgy call. Mahoney being one of worst reactors. I also love Ciraldo's press conference and the attitude of not blaming refs or injuries like most coaches would. But I can't for the life of me see why he keeps persisting with Flanagan. He's been there long enough to have a chance but is still no more convincing in his passing, running, kicking or game management than he was when he first arrived. I see him getting tackled on the 5th so many times when he should be setting up plays for the last and at the same time he is passing way too early, never drawing the defenders like a good playmaker should. We need to get rid of him, and give Oluapu a chance. I'd rather Reynolds starts and we ease Oluapu off the bench as Reynolds lacks fitness, but it would be a good transition period for the youngster