Canterbury Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo expressed his frustration following a heavy 44-8 defeat to the Dolphins, a loss that showcased the team’s struggles with an alarming 16 errors and 33 missed tackles. Despite an initially close match, the Bulldogs succumbed to four converted tries from the Dolphins in the last 20 minutes, transforming a tight contest into a significant defeat.
The Bulldogs were notably depleted, missing up to 11 players due to injuries, suspensions, and commitments to State of Origin. While recent victories against the Raiders and Roosters could have suggested fatigue might be a factor, Ciraldo dismissed this notion, insisting that the team’s on-field performance needed to be better regardless of personnel issues.
“You can’t make 16 errors and bad decisions; fatigue is not an excuse,” he stated. Ciraldo also remarked that the weather conditions, which were challenging, did not justify the performance gap, noting that the Dolphins adapted better to the heavy rain. He candidly acknowledged that the Bulldogs were outmatched in all aspects of the game.
Opportunities arose for several younger players, including Blake Taaffe, Lipoi Hopoi, Jake Turpin, and Luke Smith, to showcase their skills amidst the injury crisis. Reflecting on individual performances, Ciraldo praised Matt Burton while indicating that other players fell short of their responsibilities.
“We need to examine why that happened,” he commented, alluding to the need for accountability within the squad.
With the Bulldogs now having a bye in round 13, Ciraldo will undoubtedly be looking for ways to regroup and address the shortcomings from this heavy loss as they prepare for the challenges ahead.