New Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo has named a six-man leadership group for the 2023 season, including two on-field captains and one club captain.
Ciraldo has assigned Raymond Faitala-Mariner as club captain, while the on-field captains will be Reed Mahoney and Matt Burton.
Special mentions also go to Josh Addo-Carr, Viliame Kikau and Max King who will join the group to help with club culture.
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Still yet play a first grade game for the Bulldogs, Mahoney revealed that he was shocked to have been honoured with such a role.
“I’ve never really been involved in a leadership group before,” Mahoney said in a Bulldogs statement.
“Cam touched on it when I came that he wanted me to come and give my presence when I turn up, and I took that on board.
“It took me a while to sort of feel comfortable in that, but I just based everything around my actions and training hard.
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“That’s what’s got me to where I am today – working hard.
“I am just super excited to be a leader within this group, and this club – it’s so powerful.
“When the club is going this strong, you don’t want to be a part of any other club. I’m really looking forward to what the club has in store for the future.
“We’re all in it together. We’ve got another month or so to go before the season and there’s plenty of work to be done, but it’s been really good, and I am really excited for what’s ahead of us.
“It’s super exciting for me and I’m just really looking forward to it.”
Surprised and shocked with his appointment 22-year-old Burton will become one of the youngest captains in the competition.
“I never thought I would have got the opportunity to Captain the side and it’s obviously a really big honour,” Burton said.
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“I am really looking forward to it and it’s great that I’ll have Reed there beside me. It’s new to both of us so it’s going to be a big challenge, but we’re both really looking forward to leading the side.”
The pair revealed that leadership advice is only around the corner with the likes of former club captains Andrew Ryan, Terry Lamb and Josh Jackson all at the club.
Having them close by will be a resource they’re eager to use.
“It’s good to have those guys around just to mentor us and you know, if you ever need anything they are always there,” Burton said.
“It’s good to have them around, I’ve been asking them a few questions here and there, but our main focus right now is getting it right in the pre-season so that when the season comes around, we’re raring to go.
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“There’s a whole new vibe around the club. There’s obviously a lot of new staff and a few new faces around the team but it’s been a great feel around the club so far and I’m just looking forward to the season.”
The six leaders that make up the group will work alongside former club legend Ryan for any sort of guidance they need.
“The new structure of leadership came mostly from the staff but as far as the leadership group goes, it was all player voted as well,” Ryan said.
“These are players that all lead in their own way naturally. It was a no-brainer to have someone like Ray as the club captain with his experience and presence around the club, just being the person that he is.
“And now these two guys, Burto [Burton] and Reed in their game day roles, they’ve just been leaders in their own way at training and are both equally in their own right, the right people for the job.
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“It’s a time where there’s all sorts of change happening, so it’s an exciting time for the club to have this new structure and it’s a perfect fit for our club and for where we are now.”
Faitala-Mariner, who enters his seventh season with the Bulldogs this year realised when former club captain Jackson retired he was eager to fill those boots.
“When Jacko [Josh Jackson] retired and obviously being one of the older ones at the club, I felt like a few boys needed to step up – there are big shoes to fill for Josh Jackson – so I thought I will be one of those boys to step up,” he said.
“I knew we had a young crew coming through and because I really love the club and what they’ve done for me, I thought the best way to give back is to be a leader in my own way and be true to myself.”
Honoured but blown away with the opportunity at the same time, the 29-year-old has been presented with some major setbacks during his tenure.
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Numerous injuries during 2022 saw him on the sidelines more than he wanted to, however with a new season upon him the former Samoan international is eager to rip in with his new role.
“I wasn’t expecting it all. It’s surreal only because I just got back from my injury but that was a blessing by disguise in a way,” he said.
“It’s helped me to build patience, character, and resilience, and it’s helped me to be more grateful and just appreciate the little things.
“Now that I’ve been given this responsibility, I feel that hardship that I went through has kind of shaped my heart and prepared my heart for this role – even though it’s out of my comfort zone, I know my heart is in the right place because of the hardship and suffering that I went through.”
When it comes to helping the club cultivate culture in 2023, Raymond is looking to put some wise words into action.
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While there’s always going to be former players and staff at the club to hand advice to the captain, he’s also looked to family as well.
“My Dad has always said to me, ‘lead from the back’ meaning to always humble yourself and just serve,” Faitala-Mariner said.
“The culture here is mad. It’s mad because it didn’t just come from the coaches, from the staff, it came from the players.
“It was cool how Ciro [Ciraldo] gave us the ownership and responsibility to come up with our own purpose and our own values, and because it’s come from us it’s now up to us to live up to that standard and to apply that culture in everything that we do.
“It’s good and all the boys are buying into it. The big thing is togetherness, and to achieve that we need to stay connected and trust one another.”
