Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo delivered a stark warning to his players following a surprising defeat to the Eels. In his post-match comments, Ciraldo expressed disappointment in his team, stating they were “way off our best.” The Bulldogs recorded a low completion rate of 75%, alongside six penalties and 13 errors during the match. Having previously achieved an unexpected win over Penrith, the Bulldogs were expected to perform well, especially given Parramatta’s injury crisis and poor form.
Ciraldo acknowledged that complacency may have affected his team’s performance, remarking, “I’d like to think not but that’s certainly what it looked like.” He noted that the side struggled with resilience when faced with errors and penalties. “We started well with good energy and intent, but we lacked the resilience to defend after making mistakes, which allowed the scoreboard to tick over,” he observed.
Despite acknowledging the quality of Parramatta’s performance, Ciraldo was firm in his assessment of his players, indicating they were nowhere near their potential. Currently, after seven rounds of the season, the Bulldogs sit 10th on the league ladder, struggling offensively with only the Dragons recording a worse points-for statistic.
Ciraldo highlighted the need for consistency, stating he would even need a “psychology degree” to understand the disparity between his team’s best and worst performances. “Our best is good enough to challenge anyone, but our worst is far from it. We must play closer to our best each week. Today was not that, and we need to identify why,” he said.
Looking ahead, the Bulldogs face a quick turnaround, playing the Broncos in Brisbane on Friday. Ciraldo dismissed any excuse for a lack of preparation due to the short time between matches, asserting that a proper mindset is crucial. “If we show up with the right mentality, we’ll have a chance. If we bring anything less, we will get what we deserve,” he warned.