‘Best program I’ve witnessed’: Why Gould’s backing Ciraldo to turn Dogs around

By Michael Chammas

New Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo.Credit:Louie Douvis

Many years ago at the Seattle Seahawks’ NFL headquarters, coach Pete Carroll brought a basketball ring into the facility and plonked it inside the team video room.

Before each session, Carroll would call up two of his players to compete in a game of one-on-one.

The idea was to lighten the mood and create the type of energy that would make players forget they were about to do video.

Ciraldo, on a study trip to the United States, pinched the idea and brought it back home. Due to some financial and spacial limitations, Ciraldo made some adjustments to the concept and brought in two putters and a golf ball.

It’s why you’ll often hear yelling coming from the team video room at Belmore as the players engage in a game of putt-putt.

Canterbury’s Josh Addo-Carr, Viliame Kikau, Reed Mahoney and Tevita Pangai junior are the faces of the Bulldogs revolution.Credit:James Brickwood

“That connectivity with the players … trying to meet the person behind the player – that’s Cameron’s real strength,” Canterbury general manager Phil Gould tells the Herald.

“He’s more into the personal relationship – the coaching comes second. We know they all have talent. How they feel emotionally and spiritually with all the demands you put on them and the scrutiny they’re under – that’s important.”

Every player you speak to at Belmore will tell you the same three things about the summer under Ciraldo.

The first thing talk about is the attention to detail. “It’s completely different to what I’m used to,” Josh Addo-Carr says.

The second thing they talk about is the sudden understanding of who they are playing for and what it represents.

Canterbury fans were out in force before the 2012 grand final.Credit:Fairfax

About how in the early 1900s, timber cutters formed the bulk of the profession in the Canterbury-Bankstown area. An area built on hard-work.

An area that became the home of migrant communities searching for an opportunity for a better life. A journey many of the players in the Bulldogs team can relate to, taking lessons out of the success of those who have and still call the area home.

“This is a working-class area,” injured forward Tevita Pangai jnr said. “In the past we’ve been a bit spoilt, living in the past of what the teams before us have done. We take our position for granted. It’s a second generation, rich-kid, type of thing. But Cam took us back to the history of this area and what it stands for.

“He wanted to bring back that work ethic. He’s brought back players – Sonny (Bill Williams), Willie Mason, Bobcat (Andrew Ryan) and Ogre (Mark O’Meley). They’ve spoken about how hard they used to train. They had to earn everything. Nothing was given. You had to earn everyone’s respect.”

Sonny Bill Williams won a premiership with the Bulldogs in 2004, before it all went wrong.Credit:NRL Photos

The third thing the players will tell you about is the emphasis that has been placed on developing deeper and stronger relationships.

It’s what the week-long preseason training camp at St Gregorys College in Campbelltown was all about. It’s why they had a multicultural day – to learn all about each other and where they came from.

“I think that’s half of what a good footy team is – understanding everyone,” Addo-Carr said.

“Knowing everyone’s journey and story. You know how to treat people – they might be going through a tough time that you don’t know about. I’m really familiar with all the stuff Ciro is doing. Melbourne did it while I was down there and now we’re doing it here.”

Every Monday morning, all the players and staff will start the week by having breakfast together at Jobel’s Cafe in Belmore to spend quality time in each other’s company.

It’s why Ciraldo moved the players out of the old L-shaped dressing sheds into a square renovated room inside the club’s Belmore headquarters so they could all be closer together in a space that promotes connectivity.

Josh Reynolds outside Belmore Sportsground.Credit:Kate Geraghty – Sydney Morning Herald

The emphasis on a whole-of-club approach to success was also evident when, at the start of preseason, the football department and players took the administration staff out for lunch to let them know how important their role was in creating a successful and happy rugby league team.

“It’s probably been the best off-season program I’ve ever witnessed,” Gould admitted.

“The fitness and the strength and the skill and the teamwork is there, but the connection among the players and relationships that they’ve built has been incredible. Cameron knows his stuff. He’s very well-read and very well researched. His education has included overseas trips to other sporting organisations.

“He’s been to places like Google and Amazon. Any book I ever send him, he sends me a photo back that he’s already got it and already read it. He’s always been into personal development, and developing others in the same way. He’s more than just a football coach. That’s why players relate to him so well.”

When Gould signed Ciraldo as a player at Penrith a decade ago, it wasn’t long after the former Penrith general manager began to notice the then back-rower turning up to the club’s lower grades training sessions with his kids.

“Then I went down the next week and he was out helping the coach,” Gould told the Herald.

Phil Gould addresses the media last year after Trent Barrett’s departure.Credit:Getty Images

“He’s evolved tremendously from when I last worked with him. I sat there the other night trying to compare where we were 12 months ago to where we are today. I think we’re miles in front of where we were.

“We still have work to do on our roster and need our good young kids that we’ve recruited and developed to emerge into top 30 players over the next few years. We’ve bought talent at the top end of the roster, too.

“I think what Cameron has given them – hopefully – is the tools to answer the questions they’re about to be asked, both on and off the field. They can’t be any better prepared than what they are. They believe in each other and trust in each other, but all that is about to be tested.”

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