Cameron Ciraldo hasn’t coached a single NRL recreation but, however Josh Addo-Carr has already declared he’s “going to be one of the best to ever do it.”
Josh Reynolds has performed 160 NRL video games and 4 State of Origin clashes. He’s been coached by the likes of Des Hasler and Ivan Cleary however “has never been taught things defensively” like he has below Ciraldo.
That’s how huge of an influence the 38-year-old has had on the Bulldogs in simply 4 quick months.
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Ask any Bulldogs participant about Ciraldo and so they’ll speak about his consideration to element — however extra importantly him as an individual.
“I feel like I’ve known him my whole life,” Addo-Carr advised foxsports.com.au.
“He loves a laugh, I can have a conversation with him. He’s just a wonderful person too.
“He’s going to be one of the best coaches to ever do it I reckon.”
Tevita Pangai Junior has had some troubles all through his profession however he feels at house on the Dogs and has discovered a reference to Ciraldo.
The coach waved and knocked on the window of the room at Belmore the place Pangai Junior sat down with foxsports.com.au.
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The quietly-spoken ahead lit up and shouted “you can ask himself if you want” when questioned about Ciraldo.
After fun, Pangai Junior went again into his shell and appeared on the floor. Then he glanced up and mentioned softly: “He’s just really genuine, a nice guy… You can tell he actually cares, he’s not putting on a front.”
That’s the way in which Ciraldo goes about his work.
As Addo-Carr mentioned, “he worries more about the person before the player” after which “he knows how to handle you and bring everyone in together.”
That was made evident to the Dogs after they went on a pre-season camp centered round bringing the squad and workers nearer collectively.
“The biggest thing ‘Ciro’ has been driving is connection,” Kyle Flanagan advised foxsports.com.au.
“Obviously there’s new players and new staff. We had a day where everyone spoke about their cultures and their backgrounds, so we’ve really been building on our connection within the group and that’s improved from previous years.”
Matt Burton, who frolicked with Ciraldo at Penrith, mentioned it was “unreal” when the news broke he had inked a five-year take care of the Bulldogs final August.
He believes the rookie coach has “for sure” introduced a successful tradition to Belmore after taking part in a task within the Panthers’ back-to-back premierships.
“He’s been in and around it and has brought that belief. I think that’s the main thing for this side — the belief and connection between us all. I feel like it’s really grown,” Burton advised foxsports.com.au.
“He’s changed so much already around the club. The way the vibe is for the team, it’s a whole different feel. It’s going to be a massive year.”
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Part of that “vibe” is the constructive setting Ciraldo is driving at coaching.
“I honestly love the way he celebrates everything about everyone, he just gets it,” Reynolds smiled.
“He knows that having music pumping while you train while (team manager) Fred Ciraldo is dancing — it doesn’t have to be serious.
“But when you’re on you’ve got to be on… and don’t worry he’ll chip you and say ‘boys, what’s going on?’
“He’s really going to be good for this place and he wants the community to be a part of it. He wants the media to be a part of it. Gus (Gould) has kids in here every day and that’s what it’s all about.
“We love the game and it’s a job for us but the kids saying ‘mum I want to go to Belmore because the Bulldogs are training’ in the school holidays — how cool is that?
“I’m proud to be back here and proud of the way the club is heading.”
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There’s a motive why Ciraldo was probably the most sought-after coach final 12 months when he was coming off contract at Penrith. He was the mastermind behind their defence — and the explanation why they conceded the fewest factors within the final three seasons.
Reynolds mentioned “the best way to explain him is detail,” and revealed the sunshine bulb second he’s had since studying from Ciraldo.
“I’ve never been taught things defensively like I have in the last 12 weeks ever in my life and these are technical things that you never get taught but it makes your game so much easier,” he admitted.
“I’d look at Penrith and think ‘why can’t people score?’ — I know why now.
“It’s unbelievable, it’s relentless detail in everything we do.
“I wish I was 17 coming into this squad. I see all these young guys and say to them ‘soak it up, soak up every bit’ because I’ve been in a lot of teams — and I got along with a lot of my ex-coaches really well — but the detail I’m getting right now is second to none.
“It’s probably the biggest rap you can give anyone, but I’m just being honest.
“To top that off, he’s a genuine guy so it’s the perfect combo for a coach.”
Addo-Carr “can’t speak highly enough” of Ciraldo due to what he’s learnt in his shortened pre-season.
“He’s helped all of us boys, from the youngest fella to the oldest fella,” mentioned Addo-Carr, who didn’t return to coaching till January after representing Australia on the World Cup.
“I’ve been a part of the game for a while now and I’ve learnt a lot of stuff, but he’s brought a new system in and he’s just got us into the right direction.
“It’s a complete opposite to what I’m used to but I’m buying in 100 per cent. I’m still getting used to everything and improving every day.”
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One one who already knew all about Ciraldo’s unmatched eye for defence is marquee recruit Viliame Kikau.
Ciraldo has labored with Kikau since his days in Penrith’s decrease grades throughout to 2 NRL premierships and three Dally M Second-rower of the Year awards.
Kikau mentioned “he’s been one of the best to do it” and credited Ciraldo for getting his defence as much as scratch.
“When I first started playing 20s — that was the first time I got to Australia — I’ve always heavily relied on my attacking game but then I got into the NRL system and was watching a lot of games and my defence was not that good,” he conceded.
“I knew I had to work on that. That’s why I always praise ‘Ciro’, because he knows a lot of stuff about me in my defence.
“He’s been right by my side drilling me… There’s a still long way to go.”
The remainder of the Bulldogs are experiencing that relentless “drilling” in the intervening time.
“The boys are learning heaps. It was hard at the start but I think they’re getting a handle on it now.” Kikau mentioned.
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Kikau is among the a number of new faces on the Bulldogs this season — and arguably the most important coup of all of them given his stature within the recreation.
His nickname across the membership is ‘Dally M’ for apparent causes and Ciraldo has tapped into that aura Kikau has by together with him within the management group.
It’s all a part of giving the 27-year-old new challenges.
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He took step one in difficult himself on his personal although when he signed with the Bulldogs after seven years within the Panthers’ system to “get out of my comfort zone.”
His transition was made lots simpler when discovered Ciraldo signed on too eight months later.
“‘Ciro’ didn’t tell me anything about talking to the Bulldogs,” Kikau mentioned.
“Then after a training session in Penrith he got the boys around to tell us he was taking the job… I just thought ‘far out, that’s the best thing ever’.”
So all of it aligned for Kikau.
And it type of did too for Addo-Carr, whose first assembly with Ciraldo is simply too “freaky” to not share.
“I met Cam out of nowhere,” he mentioned.
“I was doing a bit of sprint training last year in Cronulla with Justin Lang and he (Ciraldo) was out visiting his parents (in the Shire).
“This fella, Cam, rocks up out of nowhere and a couple of months later he signs with the Dogs.
“I was thinking ‘it was meant to be.’ He was good mates with Justin, but he didn’t know I was training with Justin.
“He wasn’t in talks (with the Bulldogs yet), there was no talks at all. It’s crazy how the universe works. The way that everything has happened, it’s freaky.”
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
