The remarkable revival in Canterbury’s fortunes makes Cameron Ciraldo and Stephen Crichton leading contenders to be named the Dally M’s coach and captain of the year.
That’s the view of veteran Bulldogs utility Kurt Mann, who has marvelled at the stunning turnaround at Belmore in the space of 12 months that has the club dreaming of its first finals berth since 2016.
If Ciraldo and Crichton did the double, it would mark the first time since Melbourne pair Craig Bellamy and Cameron Smith in 2019 earned a club the game’s best coach and captain award in the same year.
The push is all the more impressive considering Canterbury finished 15th last season with the worst defence in the NRL.
But a year on and they sit fifth and are knocking on the door for a top-four finish heading into Saturday’s away trip to face a resurgent eighth-placed St George Illawarra at Kogarah.
The Dogs looked at long odds to break their finals drought when Ciraldo and head of football Phil Gould spent the off-season signing journeymen utilities.
Mann was among that crop of misfits but the recruitment drive of small but spirited underdogs has turned 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 gong, 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 did hear a lot about it (our lack of size) in the pre-season.
"But ‘Gus’ (Gould) is a pretty smart man, he’s been around a long time, there's a method to the madness.
“He had that vision and knew where he wanted to go with it.
“A lot of people didn't really believe in it, and I think a few people are starting to see the wheels turn.”
Crichton, whose appointment as captain without playing a game for the Dogs was met with ridicule, has gone on to cement his status as one of the NRL’s elite players.
“His (Crichton's) energy is contagious ... he doesn’t wait for anyone else to bring it,” said back-rower and former Penrith teammate Viliame Kikau.
“He brings it as soon as he walks in the building. Everyone knows that and it’s contagious – it spreads through the team."
Mann, who played alongside Smith at Melbourne, said the Samoan international carried himself with a presence beyond his years.
“He's my captain of the year,” Mann said.
“I always forget how young he is, I think he's a 40-year-old bloke that's been playing for years with way he speaks and just the knowledge he has.
“Everyone forgets he's only 23 so he's still a young young man.
“As long as they keep him around here, this place will just go on leaps and bounds forward.”
