Bulldogs’ Attack Shows Promise Despite Challenges
Cameron Ciraldo, the coach of the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, has dismissed concerns over the team’s attack, emphasizing that there are positive signs despite their low scoring. The Bulldogs, who finished as semi-finalists last year, have averaged just 15 points in attack per game this season after a month in 2026, which is significantly lower than the 26 points they scored per game during the same period last season.
Ciraldo made a notable move by shifting Stephen Crichton from centre to five-eighth in an attempt to boost the team’s performance against Newcastle last Saturday. This change yielded immediate results, with Matt Burton scoring two tries in his new position at left centre.
Despite the Bulldogs’ eventual 24-16 loss to last season’s wooden spoon winners, Ciraldo showed no inclination to alter his starting halves combination of Burton and Lachlan Galvin for the traditional Good Friday clash with South Sydney.
“We’ve won two games, we’ve lost one, so I don’t think there’s any need for panic stations,” Ciraldo said. “A lot got made of ‘Critta’ moving in a little bit last week. ‘Burto’ took a bump, needed a little rest out wide, ‘Critta’ came in and got involved … we scored two tries pretty quickly after that. I’m not sure of all the hysteria around that.”
Ciraldo has found plenty to be pleased about in the Bulldogs’ attack across three games so far, even though finishing off opportunities has been challenging.
“We’ve won the possession every week, we’ve made the most metres every week, we’ve also made the most line breaks in each game every week,” he said. “They’re all really good signs.”
However, halfback Lachlan Galvin has only recorded one try assist this season, despite touching the ball more times on average than any non-hooker. During the week, NRL legend and media pundit Andrew Johns advised Galvin to simplify his game. Ciraldo echoed this sentiment, suggesting that Galvin isn’t the only player who could benefit from such advice.
“For everyone, it’s about simplifying your own game and your team’s game at the start of the year,” Ciraldo said. “Last week we had 60 per cent of possession against us in the first half and our team was looking for a bit of energy. Lachie, because he’s so fit, decided to try and give us a bit of a thrust. That’s awesome, from a team-first perspective. Is there stuff we need to do better? Yeah, and we’re all working on that.”
Xerri’s Improved Attitude Earns More Opportunities
Ciraldo is also satisfied with the progress of Bronson Xerri, believing he has improved his attitude enough to earn more first-grade opportunities.
Media reports surfaced last month indicating that Xerri was unhappy with the Bulldogs, just hours after the centre was told he would be dropped for round two.
“He’s come in and trained hard and worked hard on his game and put the team first,” said Ciraldo, who included Xerri on his six-man bench for the upcoming match against South Sydney.
“I can’t commend him enough on that last the last couple of weeks.”
