News Ciraldo interview

[04 Dreaming]

We're really going to have a 1.6m+ centre pairing and a 500k starting front row....

In Gus we Trust

 

[wendog33]

Where do NRL get the info from anyway to publish....the submitted contracts?

Looks a bit messy from what we are guessing but will be sorted before the closing date.

 

[DinkumDog]

Gus lies constantly to the fan base lol its amazing most of the fans still take everything he says as truth

Not at all - of course he embellishes - you keep your competitors and the scribblers guessing that way and the ‘fans’ really have no say (like it or not, it’s true). But to suggest the club are incompetent and/or outright deceiving those who matter (sponsors, the NRL) is equally moronic, as was ‘knowing’ the board would be toppled as JK ‘no longer had the numbers’ .

 

[Robbothedestroyer]

Hopefully it works out better for Kiks than our last “spiritual leader”.

 

[TwinTurbo]

Where do NRL get the info from anyway to publish....the submitted contracts?

Looks a bit messy from what we are guessing but will be sorted before the closing date.

The NRL are supposed to only list approved and recognised contracts. Quite a few player contracts are submitted and the NRL rejects them, sends them back for revision, once revised they are then approved and listed. The same with contract terminations, they also have to be reviewed and approved. Overseas transfers (English Super League etc) also have to be approved by their governing body before the NRL recognises them. Those process can take days/weeks/months. Just because it's announced in the media etc doesn't mean anything until the NRL signs off on the contract.


Always a Bulldog

 

[CrittaMagic69]

I'm a bit confused by what he means in regards to Tracey's position being dependent on how Burton goes. If they think Tracey is the best option at fullback then he plays fullback regardless of when Burton is?

 

[1967]

On pre-season approach

• All about working hard, getting systems in place, establishing a winning culture
• Getting to know new faces and getting them involved in the club

On new signings

• The foundation for the way we want to play is still there
• But the approach and training has evolving based on the new players who have come in and to accommodate what they can add
• Kurt Mann for e.g. has been really good at sharing ideas that've worked for him in the past, and he has a vast skillset for his position

On last-season

• We started really well last year, could have been even better with a few close results that got away from us
• Adversity hit with injuries, depth got tested during the middle of the season, we were very thin
• The basis of recruitment decisions were to build a squad with lots of depth, so if we are tested again this season we will be better for it
• Despite not getting wins at the end of the season, each week's training standards and preparation became very professional
• Good lessons to take into next season
• Some of the young guys like Jacob Preston and Kiraz made it through the year as some of our best, will only get bigger and better this year

On Stephen Crichton

• Stephen Crichton first day of training is today (a month early - Jan 8th)
• He wants to come back and contribute right now, become something of a leader
• When he signed, he approached and said he wanted to play for this club
  • Wasn't about what position to play
• He is just a genuine winner, who prepares to win every day, ultimate professional, ticks every box
• Very excited what he can bring to our program, and bring to our younger players
• Probably the best centre in the world, who can play fullback
  • played 5/8th for Samoa last year and would have learned a lot
• The energy he brings, and what he can do on the field, it's very exciting

On club culture ("unite and inspire")

• Educating new players on history of club and area / who we represent
• Josh Jackson doing a lot of it through pathways programs
• Will have a whole new breed of bulldogs coming through, knowing who and what they represent, playing bulldogs-style footy
• Unite and inspire came from the playing group last year - written on wall of Belmore
  • the goal is to inspire the bulldogs fans and community - we could have done it better last year, but it's in the back of our mind
• One of Ciro's oldest rugby league memories was driving to his Nan's house in Belmore and seeing all the flags on the main road, and people in Bulldogs jerseys

On training individual players versus the squad

• High performance earn their money here
• Team run by Travis Touma
• Constant meetings about how to manage certain players e.g. Josh Reynolds last year at 34 - treated differently to others
• This year 2x players at 17
• Delicate balancing act, but managed by high performance team, coaching staff focuses on developing the individuals

On signings (AFB or Luai?)

• In the market for quality players
• Happy with who we've recruited
• Long term goal is bringing in players through our pathways
• Two junior titles already: Harold Matts and Jersey Flegg
  • Really good talent coming through there, which will be exciting when they are a part of the NRL program
• Important to have players at the top end (i.e., Stephen Crichton) who can show them what winning looks like everyday
• We have space for more quality talent at the top end
• If we pull off a big-names signing, that's great, but if not, we're happy with what we're building

On Luai

• On Luai - Jerome is a quality player, can do anything (like manage a team as a 7)
  • If looking for that challenge he can do it

On Burton and his best position

• Burton is another player who can do whatever he wants when he puts his mind to it
• Had a disrupted pre-season with World tour -> came back and got ankle surgery -> didn't quite get the preseason he needed
• Had challenges through last year with how we were going as a side, with the weight of expectation on him
• Burto's position is up to him and how he goes about things
• Has come back to pre-season and is showing very good signs
  • A lot fitter than what he was last year
  • Has a lot more energy around his communication
• Burto has been open about 5/8th and will also do what's best for the club
• He could be an elite 5/8th if he gets certain parts of his game right, the club's job is to help him get that right

On Connor Tracey

• Quality player
• Whether he plays fullback, centre or wing, he takes it on full gusto, plays it 100%
• Our backline will take shape over the next couple of weeks
• Whether he plays fullback or centre, he will do a good job
• Calf injury has him ruled out for a few weeks
• His position is probably dependent on Burton and how he goes
• We have competition for spots, which is bringing out the best at trainin

Leadership in the squad

• The leadership is evolving
• We tried different things last year, tried to find our best model
• The players who've been brought in; Curran and Mann are showing what they can add
  • Crichton is going to bring a lot
• Salmon and Hutchinson have been around a while, come from good systems, know what winning looks like
• Mahoney and Burton did ok last year given the circumstances, will also be better for the experience
• Kikau is spiritual leader, who leads by actions
  • He was a big absence last year when injured
  • When he talks the players listen

Above is the bigger picture that the majority of us on TK can see … explained very well I might add ..

All the points above are the things the negative people don’t take into account when they carry on about their small picture agendas ..

Reading the above should give us all confidence that everyone at the club is on the same page and know what they’re doing …

When you read this you know they are aware of both their strengths and weaknesses and are working to improve both but they won’t be rushed and make bad decisions ..

Getting back to the top was never going to be a quick fix and there’s still a way to go … but I for one am 100% confident we have the right people and the right mind set at the club at the moment to get us back there over the next 3/4 years ..

 

[Robbothedestroyer]

Sounds like Burton has got some work to do to lock in the 5/8 role. If he doesn’t come up to expectations will they persist with him as a centre paid 5/8 $ or look at releasing him.

 

[B-Train]

Also lol @ Burton's disrupted preseason. It was quite clear at the time he should not have gone on tour and I said as much yet now the club is trying to use it as an excuse a year later.

No young player is going to turn down being selected for the Kangaroos for the first time..

The disrupted preseason is no excuse. Tonnes of players played in the World Cup and had a disrupted preseason. But it's pretty obvious they're trying to rev him up.

 

[wendog33]

The NRL are supposed to only list approved and recognised contracts. Quite a few player contracts are submitted and the NRL rejects them, sends them back for revision, once revised they are then approved and listed. The same with contract terminations, they also have to be reviewed and approved. Overseas transfers (English Super League etc) also have to be approved by their governing body before the NRL recognises them. Those process can take days/weeks/months. Just because it's announced in the media etc doesn't mean anything until the NRL signs off on the contract.


Always a Bulldog

Yes understand that but which of our listed players fit into those categories you mention?

 

[1967]

We’ve been over this Nashy, Top 30 isn’t required to be finalised until June 2024 - end of.

Schooled again ….

Current score board …

The Kennel 1263 -

Mickey Mouse 0 -

 

[Old Man JB]

Also lol @ Burton's disrupted preseason. It was quite clear at the time he should not have gone on tour and I said as much yet now the club is trying to use it as an excuse a year later.

It's not an excuse, it's just a matter of fact.

 

[LucasFitzo]

Wow very interesting chat, took a lot out of that!

- Crichton back at training today a month early, leadership mentality (keen to see him in the kit)
- Sounds like Crichton will start the year at centre from CC and Reynolds comments.
- Burton put on notice for his spot at 5/8 has to earn it in preseason, Tracey sounds like centre depending on how Burton goes in preseason.
- CC spoke VERY highly of Luai, sounds like there is some smoke there boys for him to play Halfback....
- 1 spot still available for 2023 with money to spend for 'quality players'
- Kurt Mann got a few praising comments from CC (underrated signing)
- Big emphasis on defensive structures in the preseason with the players from 'winning systems'
- Sounds like the captaincy could potentially be different in 2024, non committal on who the leader within the club is.

Excited for 2024 Boys! Would love to grab a prop if we could but sounds like some awesome talent coming through the grades too

 

[CrittaMagic69]

No young player is going to turn down being selected for the Kangaroos for the first time..

The disrupted preseason is no excuse. Tonnes of players played in the World Cup and had a disrupted preseason. But it's pretty obvious they're trying to rev him up.

I don't care, he was injured and required surgery yet he put himself before the club not once but twice. Delayed surgery to go on tour where he barely played and then delayed it once again so he could go on holiday. It was idiotic. The club gave him special treatment (which they've done with a few others) and we're still dealing with this mess a year later trying to fire a rocket up his arse. We also mad him capitan, ha. Total circus.

 

[CrittaMagic69]

It's not an excuse, it's just a matter of fact.

A fact that I brought up a year ago, was criticised for, and now a year later people are now accepting this "fact" lmao.

 

[bcmf]

Mate if Burton needs to be told he needs to be a better communicator and leader, the bloke is already on the back foot! No self awareness at all.

like I have said previously, if we’re contemplating Burton to centre, we might as well ship him off to another team. We’re overstocked in centre.

 

[wendog33]

Sounds like Burto's days of receiving "special treatment" are over and he's back in the pack with the rest trying to earn his spot and past mistakes are being rectified.

 

[Sauce Head]

Kikau spiritual leader? Regardless the fact he missed several months, his defence when he returned was nothing short of embarrassing.

 

[diddly]

The NRL are supposed to only list approved and recognised contracts. Quite a few player contracts are submitted and the NRL rejects them, sends them back for revision, once revised they are then approved and listed. The same with contract terminations, they also have to be reviewed and approved. Overseas transfers (English Super League etc) also have to be approved by their governing body before the NRL recognises them. Those process can take days/weeks/months. Just because it's announced in the media etc doesn't mean anything until the NRL signs off on the contract.


Always a Bulldog

Is the top 30 as per the nrl site determined by the value of contracts formally finalised? So until june next year the top 30 highest paid players are considered the "top 30" - the next highest paid players with contracts that total no more than 640k are the supplementary players.

We should really be using different terminology - top 30 is irrelevant n misleading - First Grade Squad would be clearer - unless im missing something the supplementaries desision is basically just increasing the size of first grade squads to a max of 38.

 

[Old Man JB]

I'm a bit confused by what he means in regards to Tracey's position being dependent on how Burton goes. If they think Tracey is the best option at fullback then he plays fullback regardless of when Burton is?

I think he means that if Burton does not perform at 5/8, he will be in the centres which means there will be more competition there.
Personally, I would like to see Tracey at fb regardless.