Secret recruit behind stunning Bulldogs turnaround

A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt grand master is the secret ingredient behind the Bulldogs' stunning premiership charge in 2024. The man club insiders credit largely for the turnaround is Alex Prates, who has joined the club as wrestling coach. In less than 12 months, the Bulldogs have gone from the NRL's worst defensive team to the best, thanks largely to Prates' influence. Ironically, Prates is another defector from Penrith to join the Dogs, coming to the club along with coach Cameron Ciraldo. He won two comps at the Bulldogs and was also part of South Sydney's drought-breaking title triumph in 2014. Last season, the Bulldogs conceded a dreadful 735 points - nearly 100 more than the next team. In 2024, with three rounds to go, they lead the league in points against - and are on track to rattle cages in the finals as a result. The Dogs have held opponents pointless in the second half an amazing seven times this season, including against the Dolphins last weekend. Add to that a potent attack led by new skipper Stephen Crichton and the Dogs are heading into the final series as a real threat. Defence is the cornerstone of their bid, though, thanks to Prates' wrestling techniques and the coaching staff. "Alex has been great for us and Cameron and (assistant coach) Chad Randall handle the defence and have really made a difference this season," Bulldogs guru Phil Gould told Wide World of Sports.

Anthony Griffin 'jealous' of Cameron Ciraldo during their Penrith days

A report claims former Penrith coach Anthony Griffin "didn't rate" Cameron Ciraldo when the latter was Griffin's assistant coach at the club.Griffin's St George Illawarra Dragons will take on Ciraldo's Canterbury Bulldogs on Sunday afternoon in what will be the first time the two coaches have squared off against one another.Ciraldo was viewed as a rising star in the coaching ranks at the Panthers and was promoted from his role as the Penrith under-20s coach in Griffin's second year at the club, but the two did not mesh.The Sydney Morning Herald report claims Ciraldo tried to quit his role as Griffin's assistant not once but twice, only to be convinced to stay by ex-Penrith general manager Phil Gould, who is now at the Bulldogs.The report claims there was also a breakfast in which Griffin opened up to his fellow coaches and asked them how he could improve.But once his assistants began to offer suggestions, the Herald reports Griffin was more inclined to focus on his breakfast rather than listen to what was being said."He (Griffin) didn't listen to Ciro," an anonymous Panthers official told the publication."He didn't rate him. Hook was old school but Ciro was this new-age coach."Hook was also jealous of the relationship Ciro had with Gus, but also the players in that team."Instead of using that to his advantage, he shut Ciro out."Ciraldo has since left the club and moved to the Bulldogs to take up his first head coaching role in the NRL.Since Griffin was sacked by the Panthers in 2018, he moved to the Dragons but seems to be on the chopping block and was reportedly asked to reapply for his job should he wish to stay.

Matt Burton ready to take full control as Bulldogs No.7

Cameron Ciraldo claims Matt Burton is now ready to take full ownership of Canterbury's attack after handing him the No.7 jersey for the first time against Cronulla.Burton will move into the halfback role on Saturday night, in a jersey swap that puts the No.6 on Kyle Flanagan's back.Ciraldo is well aware he could have given Burton more responsibility without swapping numbers, but wanted to make his intentions clear after talking with Burton in recent weeks about taking on more responsibility."We want Matt to step up and take ownership of the team," the Bulldogs coach said."I feel like he is ready for that. A while back he probably wasn't ready for that. But he has really grown into the leadership role, he is one of our on-field captains."The change of jersey is a little bit symbolic as well with where we can go with our footy."The move will also take some pressure off Flanagan, also allowing him to focus more on his edge and smaller areas of his game.But it is with Burton the biggest change will come.Traditionally known as a five-eighth in his early years at Penrith, Ciraldo worked with him in both the No.6 jersey and at left centre while at the Panthers.He then played five-eighth exclusively since his arrival at Canterbury last year with the 23-year-old's skill best exhibited in the Bulldogs' last win, where he took charge late and kicked the golden-point field goal."It's what the team needs right now from Matt, but he has also matured over the past two years from when I last saw him at Penrith," Ciraldo said.

Bulldog's bold claim amid Cleary comparison

Bulldogs halfback Kyle Flanagan has vowed he will finally realise his full potential this NRL season.After being axed from the Roosters at the end of the 2020 season, Flanagan has faced two tough years at Belmore.But Flanagan says incoming senior coach Cameron Ciraldo has instilled in him the confidence to be himself and take the reins of the new-look Canterbury team.Speaking to 9News Sydney's Luke Dufficy, Flanagan admitted he has previously struggled to make an impact in the Bulldogs' attack."I feel like in my NRL career so far, I haven't shown a fair representation of myself on the big stage," he said."[But] I've always had the mentality to back myself and put in the hard work and I'll see the results."Last year, Flanagan rejected a huge offer to move to the English Super League after struggling to find consistency in the Bulldogs' lineup.The 24-year-old is now entering the final year of his three-season deal with Canterbury.With an injection of star power and new leadership with Ciraldo this season, the pressure on Flanagan to fire with his playmaking has never been greater.While playing an integral role in developing Nathan Cleary's craft while assisting at the Panthers, Flanagan says Ciraldo does not want him to be a carbon copy of the two-time premiership halfback."He wants me to go out there and be Kyle Flanagan," he said.

How $3 ice cream sealed mega $1.5 million deal

A $3 ice cream was the clincher for the richest deal ever signed by a schoolboy rugby league player last week.The Bulldogs secured a coup by snaring Australian Schoolboys captain Karl Oloapu on a four-year deal, despite having to pay a $500,000 transfer fee on top of his estimated $250,000 salary.It's a staggering amount for a youngster who has yet to play against men - and it was all sealed by a Drumstick."The Bulldogs took Karl to dinner and we were all sitting around afterwards and the kid, being an 18-year-old, started to get restless," Oloapu's manager Matt Adamson told Wide World of Sports."I think (Bulldogs coach) Cameron Ciraldo sensed this and he said to me, 'Do you mind if I take Karl for a walk and an ice cream'."I said 'Go for it' and 15 minutes later they came back and Karl had made up his mind to join the Bulldogs."He had other options but just the fact that Cameron wanted to get to know him one-on-one over an ice cream and outline his vision for the kid proved the difference."It's a great opportunity for Karl - he's had a rough 12 months with what happened at the Broncos but in the end the club did the right thing by him by letting him go."

Star Bulldogs half signs monster extension

Matt Burton will remain a Bulldog after signing a five-year deal to stay at Belmore.Burton enjoyed a breakout year in 2022, which included earning his first Blues jersey, capping a successful debut season with the club following a move from Penrith."I'm grateful to be a part of this club," Burton said in a statement released by the club."We've got the new coach (Cameron Ciraldo) in now and I'm really excited to work with him again. He's a great coach and I'm looking forward to taking my game to the next level with his guidance."We've got new players in and from my teammates, all the staff, our members and fans, I couldn't picture myself anywhere else. The club is on the up and I'm keen to be a part of this next chapter for the Bulldogs."Burton's long-term commitment is a massive boost to the Bulldogs, who are hoping the likes of he, Josh Addo-Carr and the incoming Viliame Kikau can transform the club's on-field fortunes in the coming years."As a club, we have been building towards a vision of success and stability, and the long-term signing of someone as talented as Matt reinforces the direction that we are headed in," Bulldogs chairman John Khoury said in a statement."We believe that we have been taking huge strides forward as a club and this multi-year agreement with Matt means that he will remain to be a big part of the Bulldog's future," club CEO Aaron Warburton added.

Coveted coach knocks back Wests Tigers

The Wests Tigers will continue their search for a new head coach, after the club confirmed today that Cameron Ciraldo would be remaining with the Panthers for the time being.The 37-year-old has been the hottest property in the coaching market for a couple of years now, having already knocked the Tigers back once before.After they parted ways with Michael Maguire three weeks' ago, the Tigers had made Ciraldo their number one target, offering him a five-year deal - but the Panthers assistant was also coveted by other teams.But on Saturday evening, a brief statement on their website confirmed that the team's recruitment had been unsuccessful."The club has been contacted by Cameron Ciraldo and his management this afternoon and they have advised the club that he is not in a position to accept the role of head coach at this juncture in his career," the statement read."Whilst disappointing, we respect his decision, and we will continue with the selection process in appointing our club's head coach."Ciraldo had been linked to other clubs, including the Bulldogs and Knights, although the latter still have a head coach, while the Warriors are also searching for new hire.Tonga coach Kristian Woolf declined an offer from the New Zealand club, while Bulldogs boss Phil Gould said the club has not even begun the search for Trent Barrett's permanent replacement.

Tigers captain reveals his 'perfect' new coach

Wests Tigers co-captain James Tamou has called for Cameron Ciraldo to join Concord as the team's new head coach.Tamou worked with Ciraldo at Penrith, where the latter is still Ivan Cleary's assistant and was a key factor in the Panthers' premiership win last year.He is considered the best head coach in waiting, but so far hasn't taken up a gig despite several becoming available.The Tigers are the latest club seeking a head coach, after sacking Michael Maguire earlier this week.The Bulldogs and Warriors have also parted ways with their coaches and are yet to find replacements.Ciraldo will be hot property, but Tamou is desperately hoping the pair can reunite."That would be unreal for Ciro," Tamou said."I love the Tigers and I love Ciro, and for that to come together, it would be the perfect storm."He will definitely get a head coaching role. He's built that (at Penrith), coming through the junior system."I'd love for him to come to the Tigers, and I guess (Tigers football boss Tim Sheens) and the team are doing everything they can."While the Maguire sacking didn't come as a shock to the general public, it was sudden and took the playing group largely by surprise.