Securing Cameron Ciraldo as head coach could be good news for Canterbury on multiple fronts as star playmaker Matt Burton weighs up his future.
Burton, 22, arrived at Belmore this season following his move from the Panthers, quickly becoming the Bulldogs’ most important player.
Given that Burton’s initial Canterbury contract was for two years, rival clubs are free to negotiate with the five-eighth from November 1 for the 2024 season onwards.
While he was said to be considering exploring his options, The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio believes Ciraldo’s signing will keep Burton at the club long-term.
“Interesting, that was obviously significant news yesterday, a five-year deal for Cameron Ciraldo,” Riccio said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“The big one guys is Matt Burton, obviously.
“From November 1, any club can sign Matt Burton was the 2024 season and beyond.
“Clearly, the Bulldogs are desperate to retain and extend Matt Burton long-term.
“That has just been made so much easier by the signing of Cameron Ciraldo.
“I understand Burton already indicated if the coach was Ciraldo that he’d stay, he’d extend.
“That’s how much faith in the past relationship Burton has in Ciraldo going back to their Penrith days.
“This is huge news on one front.”
Comparing Craig Fitzgibbon’s arrival at Cronulla to Ciraldo’s pending move to Canterbury, Riccio expects the newly appointed coach to recruit star players in a similar vein.
“I really believe Cameron Ciraldo is the type of coach (that will bring players with him),” Riccio said.
“We’ve seen it with Craig Fitzgibbon at Cronulla – where relationships with players can go a long way to a recruitment drive at the Bulldogs.”
As the Bulldogs’ salary cap is reportedly tight for the 2023 season, Riccio expects the lure of playing under Ciraldo to truly come to the fore from the 2024 campaign.
“I think it (the salary cap) is tight for next year,” Riccio said.
“But I think that (Viliame) Kikau, Reed Mahoney and Ryan Sutton are coming to the club next season will only strengthen them.
“But following that, from the 2024 season, I think we’ll see some real movement at the Dogs and we’ll see Ciraldo’s ability to recruit really come to the fore.”
Ciraldo will remain with the Panthers for the rest of the 2022 season before beginning his journey with the Bulldogs.