’We’re going to be there’: Legend’s confident call on new-look Bulldogs

Club legend Terry Lamb says new coach Cameron Ciraldo has what it takes to lead the Bulldogs back to the finals for the first time since 2016, but isn’t sure whether Eels halfback Mitch Moses will join them in 2024.

Ciraldo’s arrival at Belmore was one of league’s worst-kept secrets this year, but the former Panthers assistant hasn’t shied away from immersing himself in the Bulldogs’ proud history.

Cameron Ciraldo has made a strong impression in his short time at Canterbury. Picture: Justin Lloyd.Source: News Corp Australia

The rookie coach has taken time to learn about the club’s glory years and the players that helped get them there, with his ultimate focus on returning the Bulldogs to the top of the table with a squad that is starting to look competitive.

Round 1

Ciraldo and Viliame Kikau have a very tight bond. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

“He wants to be close to the players, and that’s being as close as you can,” he said.

“What it is is a tremendous show of respect. He’s known Kikau for a while, and Kikau paid us the respect by coming to the club with Ciraldo, so it shows that he’s a tremendous person and a great family man.

“He’s a great man. He went into the club and straightaway wanted to learn who we are, who we had at the club years ago and the success we had through the ’80s and ’90s.

“He knows everything about the Bulldogs who have played the game over the years and he just loves who we are.”

While the Bulldogs’ roster looks much better for 2023, the club has been linked with Eels halfback Mitch Moses to partner five-eighth Matt Burton in 2024 and beyond.

“I wish I could tell you some good news, but we don’t know what’s going on,” Lamb said.

“We can only play the players that we’ve got right now, and that includes having Josh Reynolds back at the club. I know that he’s going to do a fantastic job for us.”

Bulldogs players donate food to the Exodus Foundation. Picture; suppliedSource: Supplied

While the Bulldogs are rebuilding on the field, there’s nothing new about their commitment to help the community, with players from the extended NRL squad and the Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership side spending time at the Exodus Foundation in Ashfield on Monday.

Players donated a truck’s worth of food and spent time with the homeless in a much-needed show of support in the days leading into Christmas.