Bulldogs duo in race for rare Dally M double

The remarkable turnaround in Canterbury’s fortunes has positioned Cameron Ciraldo and Stephen Crichton as strong contenders for the Dally M’s coach and captain of the year awards.

 

Veteran Bulldogs utility Kurt Mann has been amazed by the club’s stunning transformation over the past 12 months, which has them dreaming of their first finals appearance since 2016.

 

If Ciraldo and Crichton win the double, it would be the first time since Melbourne’s Craig Bellamy and Cameron Smith achieved the same feat in 2019.

 

This push is even more impressive considering Canterbury finished 15th last season with the worst defense in the NRL. Now, they sit in fifth place and are vying for a top-four finish as they head into Saturday’s away game against the eighth-placed St George Illawarra at Kogarah.

 

The Bulldogs seemed unlikely to break their finals drought when Ciraldo and head of football Phil Gould spent the off-season signing journeyman utilities. Mann was among that group of underdogs, but their recruitment drive has transformed Canterbury into a dark horse for the premiership.

 

Asked if Ciraldo deserved to be the front-runner for the Dally M coach of the year award, Mann said, “The turnaround in this place in the last 12 months has been phenomenal, and I’d be talking about him in that space. We heard a lot about our lack of size in the pre-season, but ‘Gus’ (Gould) is a pretty smart man. He had a vision and knew where he wanted to go with it. A lot of people didn’t believe in it, but now people are starting to see the wheels turn.”

 

Crichton’s appointment as captain was initially met with skepticism, but he has since established himself as one of the NRL’s elite players. Back-rower and former Penrith teammate Viliame Kikau said, “His energy is contagious. He doesn’t wait for anyone else to bring it; he brings it as soon as he walks in the building. It’s contagious and spreads through the team.”

 

Mann, who played alongside Smith at Melbourne, said the Samoan international carries himself with a presence beyond his years. “He’s my captain of the year,” Mann said. “I always forget how young he is. He speaks and has the knowledge of a 40-year-old veteran. Everyone forgets he’s only 23, so he’s still a young man. As long as they keep him around here, this place will continue to progress by leaps and bounds.”

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