Bulldogs coach axes captains two weeks before season

Cameron Ciraldo has dropped a bombshell on the eve of the NRL season, with new recruit Stephen Crichton taking over as Bulldogs captain.

The 23-year-old is a three-time premiership winner with Penrith, but only joined Canterbury in the past couple of months, signing a multi-year deal with the club.

Crichton is yet to play a game for the Dogs, with his first hit-out in the blue and white slated for the second trial against the Sharks on Friday night.

Despite only arriving in the pre-season, Ciraldo has seen enough leadership qualities from the Samoan international to name his as the new skipper, dumping last year’s duo of Reed Mahoney and Matt Burton from the role.

“Stephen is a really good reader of energy,” the coach said in a statement.

Canterbury Bulldogs recruit Stephen Crichton will captain the side in 2024.

“He understands when people are a little bit flat, low on energy, and when it’s a bit quiet, and he can change the mood in an instant.

“Sometimes that’s with some annoying music or sounds, or loud noises that he comes up with but he’s great at bringing people together. He really understands bringing positive energy to the group and he’s been such a valuable asset to us this pre-season.”

Ciraldo thanked 2022 recruits Burton and Mahoney for their contributions in the role last year, praising their “professionalism and commitment”.

Crichton – who has exactly 100 first grade appearances to his name – expressed his gratitude and belief in the Bulldogs, who haven’t won a premiership in two decades and have missed the finals ever year since 2016.

“I just want to lead with my actions,” he said.

“I’ve been at a successful club and I’ve seen what good leaders look like and I’ve learnt a lot from the older boys that I was with and I’ve taken a few things from each person that I can implement in my life on and off the field, as well as in being a leader.

“It’s a community club, it’s a family club. They really do care about their fans. I see it as hard-working, proper Dogs. Hungry. I look at the past players – Sonny Bill [Williams], Willie Mason, James Graham, players like that. They just did it without hesitation.

“They were just hard Dogs. That’s what I see the club as and that’s what Ciro is trying to build here: You put the team first, you go out there and you play your heart out.”

The superstar centre will lead Canterbury for the first time on Friday evening when they take on a strong Cronulla outfit at Belmore Oval.