Phil Gould has long believed in Cameron Ciraldo’s potential as an exceptional first-grade coach and aims for him to lead the Bulldogs for many years. After honing his skills at Penrith, where he was praised for developing the defensive system, Ciraldo joined Canterbury on a five-year contract. His initial season was challenging, with the team finishing 15th on the ladder and showing little promise in terms of performance.
Despite the rocky start in 2023, Ciraldo was diligently working behind the scenes to build a strong team culture. This commitment paid off when the Bulldogs reached the finals for the first time in eight years, and by 2025, they were perched atop the ladder, standing as serious contenders for the premiership alongside the Melbourne Storm.
In an interview with 9News Sydney’s Danny Weidler, Gould, the Bulldogs’ general manager, expressed unwavering confidence in Ciraldo’s capabilities. He countered perceptions of Ciraldo as a rookie coach, stating that he was more experienced in Gould’s view. Gould remarked, “It was never a risk in my mind whatsoever,” and praised Ciraldo as a future career coach who he hopes will remain with the club for decades. He noted the need for a long-term coach when Ciraldo joined and is optimistic about the team’s potential moving forward.
Gould acknowledged the challenging beginning to Ciraldo’s tenure, indicating that while he began earlier than anticipated, his efforts had already proven worthwhile. He emphasised that the best is yet to come, highlighting Ciraldo’s capability to lead the Bulldogs into a bright future.
Gould’s glowing endorsement carries weight, especially as he celebrated 50 years in the sport and is regarded as one of the best coaches in history. Ciraldo’s ongoing development alongside an increasingly talented Bulldogs squad gives Gould confidence that the team will thrive in the future, despite the potential challenges posed by new expansion teams in Perth and Papua New Guinea.
He believes the club won’t lose players they want to keep, stating, “None of our players want to leave either,” which reflects the positive culture fostered by Ciraldo and the coaching staff. Looking ahead, the Bulldogs are set to defend their top spot in the NRL ladder as they prepare to face the Roosters at Accor Stadium this Friday night.