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NRL 2022: Cameron Ciraldo Bulldogs coach, pundits react, Bulldogs roster, Who is the Bulldogs coach?, Matt Burton contract, player signings

Rugby league legend Mark Geyer has made a bold prediction following the Bulldogs’ appointment of rookie coach Cameron Ciraldo — while Fox League’s Andrew Voss is concerned the club’s “gamble” could backfire.

Ciraldo inked a five-year contract to join the Belmore club from 2023 onwards in a deal reportedly worth around $800,000-per-season.

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The 38-year-old was the hottest property on the coaching market following the axing of multiple coaches including Trent Barrett, but in the end NRL supremo Phil Gould got his man.

Ciraldo has been Ivan Cleary’s assistant for several years and former Panther Mark Geyer believes his appointment means Matt Burton’s tenure with the Bulldogs will almost certainly extend past 2023 after knocking back his player option for 2024.

“He’ll be the youngest coach in the NRL, 38-years of age and signs a five-year deal as I said it’s a major coup, but what it does is makes Matt Burton, now his signature will be a lot longer, he’ll sign on for longer,” Geyer said on Triple M.

“That means that Kikau won’t get cold feet, it means Reed Mahoney won’t get cold feet, the Fox (Josh Addo Carr).

“It’s a massive signing, a lot of people will be saying look he hasn’t done much but, he’s been an assistant coach but what he’s done is he’s very articulate in the way he prepares.”

Geyer also believes the Bulldogs are set for a “special” rebuild, going as far to say they could be premiership contenders within five years.

“It’s all about the team with Cameron Ciraldo it’s never about him so I think this is a major, major boost for the Bulldogs in the next five years,” he said.

“Cameron Ciraldo will, I’m not going to say it but they’re going to do something special in five years but they’re going to be close I would say.

“I reckon they’re going to be close to pulling off the biggest prize of all within five years.”

The Daily Telegraph’s Buzz Rothfield echoed Geyer’s remarks — but explained assistants who have been mentored by elite coaches don’t always become successful bosses themselves.

“At 38 he’ll be the youngest coach in the NRL but a terrific talent, he’s been a great right hand man for Ivan Cleary at the Panthers with all their success in recent years,” Rothfield said on the Big Sports Breakfast.

“He’s their minister for defense there, he’s the one who designed all the strategies to keep their line intact which has been so outstanding in recent times.

“Look the only thing I will say is just because you’re out of a Penrith system or Melbourne system it doesn’t automatically make you a great coach.

“I wrote this morning about Trent Barrett only having a 40 per cent win record despite the rap on ‘Baz’ (Barrett) when he came out of Penrith and Garth Brennan too.

“You look at guys like Adam O’Brien who came out of Melbourne and had a year under Trent Robinson.

“It doesn’t mean you’re going to be an immediate success but I’ve got this feeling that Cameron Ciraldo will prove that theory wrong, he’s got what it takes.

“I think it’s enormous for Canterbury and that he knows the pathways so well at Penrith, he’s been there over a decade on their coaching staff.

“He knows how to bring young players through, I think it’s a huge move for the Bulldogs.

“Put them (Kikau and Mahoney) in with Matty Burton and the rest of the team I think they’re going to be a real top eight chance next year.”

While many are backing Ciraldo to be a success, rugby league commentator Andrew Voss stated he wouldn’t be “signing a rookie coach for five years”.

Five-year coaching contracts have in the past gone pear-shaped — Anthony Seibold’s short-lived Broncos deal being the most recent.

Voss explained there are only a handful of coaches across the league that could warrant the long-term contract signed by Ciraldo.

“Any five-year deal, there’s an element of a gamble in it, even with a player.”

“But five years for an untried coach?” Penrith Panthers legend Greg Alexander asked.

Voss continued: “What if they haven’t played finals in a couple of years? I think five years is too much.

“Five years for a rookie coach? Trying to think of a coach you’d sign for five years, I think you’ve got to have the runs on the board.

“(Craig) Bellamy, (Trent) Robinson, (Ivan) Cleary, I don’t think there’s too many more.

“I’m not signing a rookie coach for five years.

“But, I wish Cameron Ciraldo all the very best.”

Originally published as Why Phil Gould’s $4 million gamble on Cameron Ciraldo could backfire

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Junior Paulo to represent Samoa at World Cup, why is he playing for Samoa, Kangaroos, Samoa players, latest, updates

Junior Paulo has handed the Kangaroos a major blow as the Parramatta prop confirmed he will play for Samoa at the World Cup.

The 28-year-old male is yet to represent Australia at international level but has nine State of Origin games for New South Wales under his belt.

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Paulo also has nine caps for Samoa to his name and although he was “torn” between the blue shirt of the nation or the green and gold of Australia, it was a quote from Phil Gould that ultimately swayed his decision.

“Gus Gould really hit the nail on the head when he said, ‘What nation do you cry for when you sing the anthem,’” Paulo told 9News.

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“That plays a big part for me, and for me that’s being proud of my home, and that’s Samoa.”

Paulo joins Canberra forward Josh Papalii as well as Panthers duo Brian To’o and Jarome Luai as NRL stars who have confirmed they will represent Samoa instead of Australia at the World Cup.

The Parramatta star also hopes that by not choosing to play for the Kangaroos, it could inspire several youngsters to be proud of their home nation when it comes to representative footy.

“I want to be able to inspire the next kid who is coming through the ranks and will be at home, or whether they’re in the islands watching that World Cup thinking they want to be able to represent their country,” Paulo said.

The Blues star is also hoping that by playing for Samoa, he can make his family proud as punch.

“I’ve got my two grandmothers, who are both overseas and while they’re still alive I want to make them proud,” Paulo said.

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Ricky Stuart Jaeman Salmon spray, Salmon seeking legal action, Stuart not backing down, Canberra Raiders, Penrith Panthers, news

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart is reportedly “not backing down” from his controversial comments labeling Panthers playmaker Jaeman Salmon and “weak gutted dog.”

Stuart’s stunning spray came after Salmon lashed out with his boot, kicking Tom Starling in the 60th minute.

“I have had history with that kid (Salmon). I know that kid very well,” Stuart said in the post-match press conference.

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“He was a weak gutted dog as a kid and he hasn’t changed now. He is a weak gutted dog person now.”

According to Channel 9’s Danny Weidler, Stuart will not be “backing down from his comments”.

While the NRL’s course of action currently remains unclear, the competition could fully explore the sensational post-match interview remarks.

Meanwhile, according to the SMH, Salmon will seek legal advice, potentially considering defamation charges.

Salmon was reportedly keen to speak to the media after he learned of the comments, but the Panthers advised the 23-year-old to remain quiet.

NRL supremo Phil Gould revealed there is history between the pair, explaining Stuart is “going to have a very good reason”.

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“When Ricky said he’s known this kid for a while, he has,” Gould said on Nine’s NRL coverage.

“Certainly Ricky on reflection saying he’s not apologizing and he’s standing for what he said is rather extraordinary because I’ve never heard a coach say anything like that at a press conference.

“Ricky’s going to have to have very good reason and I don’t know how he substantiates that … I think Jaeman Salmon would have action against him for remarks like that.”

Gould also explained that Salmon’s kick on Starling could have happened to any player at any time.

“That can happen to anyone at any time,” Gould said.

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“That’s not an uncommon occurrence. His foot was caught between his legs as they’re getting up and he was trying to get his foot out of there.

Stuart has a history of copping fine’s for post-match interview comments and has racked up over $120,000 in monetary penalties over his 21-year coaching career.

The 55-year-old was handed a $20,000 fine in 2015 for walking out on a press conference and refusing to speak to the media.

A year earlier in 2014, he was slapped with a $10,000 fine for slamming referees as “s**t” and “laughable” in a loss to the Panthers.

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Martin Taupau, Manly Sea Eagles release, Parramatta Eels, Sam Verills to join Gold Coast Titans, Bulldogs sign Andrew Davey, Franklin Pele

The Eels haven’t given up hope of landing Martin Taupau — but have until 5pm, Monday to get the deal over the line.

Meanwhile, the Titans may have found a solution to one of their biggest spine problems and the Bulldogs have added two forwards to their pack.

Read on for the latest in NRL Transfer Whispers.

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EELS’ LAST MINUTE CHASE FOR TAUPAU

The Eels arekeen onluring Manly veteran Martin Taupau to the club for the rest of the season — but time is running out.

It was revealed last week that Taupau, who comes off contract at the end of the season, requested an immediate release to join the Eels but was denied.

Eels coach Brad Arthur confirmed his interest in the 32-year-old, saying “he’d be handy for us… but that is Manly’s call,” after his side’s win over the Panthers.

And now, the club are making one last push for the star prop, according to The Sydney Morning Heraldbut have until 5pm Monday to get the deal over the line.

The Herald reports the Eels have been “desperately calling” Manly over the weekend to convince the club to release Taupau but have had no luck.

They will continue their chase on Monday in a bid to secure the 217-gamer before the August 1 deadline closes.

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TITANS TO FINALLY FILL GLARING HOLE

Roosters’ hooker Sam Verrills is reportedly set to sign with the Gold Coast Titans following the Tricolours’ acquisition of Brandon Smith.

Smith signed with the Roosters in December last year, immediately throwing Verrills’ future into the spotlight.

Now, the 23-year-old will make the move north to join the Titans and fill a much-needed hole in the Gold Coast spine according to The Daily Telegraph.

Verrills has been strong in recent weeks, inspiring Trent Robinson’s side to three straight wins.

Prior to the 2022 season, Titans coach Justin Holbrook rolled the dice and deployed the youngest spine in the competition.

The club let Jamal Fogarty walk, but have now signed Kieran Foran to fill their halfback void, and have now moved to lockdown a regular starter in the No.9 jersey.

First-choice hooker Erin Clark has shifted into lock and has been impressive in patches, opening the dummy-half slot for Verrills to potentially take over.

It comes after Holbrook granted following the Titans’ Round 19 loss that he was in the market for a dummy-half.

However, the Titans may have a fight on their hands with Phil Rothfield telling Sky Sports Radio that “St George Illawarra might come in with an offer,” for Verrills too.

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BULLDOGS ADD TO PACK

Bulldogs supreme Phil Gould has reportedly landed two new forwards — Franklin Pele and Andrew Davey.

Davey, who has become a first-grade regular, and Pele, who has just one NRL game under his belt for the Sharks, will make the move to Belmore according to TheDaily Telegraph.

Pele, 21, weighs more than 120kg and has a cult following at Cronulla’s feeder club the Newton Jets.

According to reports the Bulldogs are hoping to get the hulking prop fit and increase his potential minutes.

Meanwhile, 30-year-old Davey, who was a late bloomer in first grade, is set to make the switch.

Davey made his NRL debut at the Eels in 2020, becoming the fourth-oldest debutant in the history of the game at 28-years old.

After making the switch to the Sea Eagles in 2021, Davey suffered a season-ending knee injury but has been strong in 2022.

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