Brookie1973
Previously TerryRandall
I think the players are the same.
Sack Seibold Immediately
- Thread starter XV-1
- Start date
Brookie1973
Previously TerryRandall
Mmm Polly waffles. Haven’t had one of those in years.
Raven Mad Manly Fan
Reserve Grader
Mr Penny-Woffle - could there be a more apt moniker for our Illustrious Dear Owner?
Exactly where my mind went. Doh! 🤣🤣
I can see Seibold/Mestrov signing Adam O'Brien as assistant coach for next year. 🙄🤨
The Who
Journey Man
Wouldn't it be ironic/hilarious if DESpicable was made an assistant?
Brookie1973
Previously TerryRandall
Also chokita bars. Must make a mental note to see if these are still available at the supermarket.
Brookie1973
Previously TerryRandall
Head of Football?
I miss Toscas. A lot
AndWeDon'tCare
Reserve Grader
Bulldogs going **** today but they're a club on the up and they'll be in the mix to win a comp in the next few years, Read the article below and rate our progression.... Bulldogs are securing their future with two big management signings and meanwhile on the sleepy Northern beaches ... Our coach ... Grimace aka the gangsta 50/50 aspires to not coach the club to a premiership but to be the office manger. Yep, we're heading the right direction .....
One of the most significant deals in Bulldogs history was sealed in less than 30 minutes over a steak at the Northbridge Hotel on Sydney’s lower north shore.
And then remarkably kept quiet for four months.
Bulldogs chairperson Adam Driussi, the man who sat down with Phil Gould to broker his new deal that will stretch until the end of 2031, has also revealed that the club secured coach Cameron Ciraldo for the same period in the blink of an eye.
Gould and Ciraldo have masterminded the rebuild of the Bulldogs, helping ignite an ailing club and a passionate fan base.
At some point in the next seven years, Driussi believes the pair will deliver the club a premiership.
Phil Gould, Cameron Ciraldo, and the Bulldogs army.
And it may yet be this year given the Bulldogs are still in the finals race - they will play Penrith in a sudden-death final at Accor Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Gould has his critics, but you won’t find them inside the walls of Belmore, where the club’s headquarters are based.
Driussi is an unabashed fan of Gus, whose rugby league genius is without peer.
So is his ability to polarise opposition supporters and members of the media given he is aligned with the Nine Network, where he is paid to give his forthright opinions on the NRL and rival clubs.
It hasn’t always been smooth sailing, but Gould has spearheaded the awakening of one of rugby league’s sleeping giants in concert with Ciraldo.
Little wonder Driussi was so keen to get Gould’s signature on a new contract that will ensure he is given time and space to deliver a title to the club.
Remarkably, the deal was knocked over in May as Gould was getting ready to watch a NSW Cup game at 4 Pines Park.
Bulldogs chairperson Adam Driussi.
Cameron Ciraldo and Phil Gould. Picture: Canterbury Bulldogs
On his way to the game, Gould stopped in at Driussi’s local - the Northbridge Hotel.
“We had a steak and I think we probably spent - if we spent an hour and half together, we probably spent an hour and 15 minutes of it just talking about real stuff we were doing,” Driussi said.
“The contract was probably as easy as a contract gets. He’s very easy going to work with. A lot of people probably think it could be the opposite.
“We didn’t negotiate anything. We just pretty much took the (existing) contract and I said, ‘Can you stick around?’
“He was like, ‘Yep’.
“He was pretty much like, ‘If you’re keen to have me, I am keen to stay around’.
“It was honestly probably less than half an hour. I then got back, typed the changes to the contract, and he sent it back to me with a lovely note straight away.”
The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs will be premiers this decade, according to the club’s chairperson. Picture: NRL PHOTOS
Their unique relationship has helped the Bulldogs become a glamour club again, building a top four roster and bringing crowds flooding back through the gates.
Gould can be a complex man. He certainly isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but even his most ardent critics concede he has a remarkable football brain.
“Gus and I have a great relationship built on mutual respect and a shared vision for the club - we talk every day,” Driussi said.
“What makes Gus special is his 50 years of experience in the game, his football intellect, and his ability to see the big picture while genuinely caring for the people in our club.
“He does all sorts of things behind the scenes that no one sees - supporting players, staff, families and others through difficult times without seeking any recognition.
“He’s transformed everything about our football operation - from pathways to recruitment to high performance.”
Canterbury GM of football Phil Gould has a remarkable football brain. Picture: NewsWire
Driussi is one of the sharpest operators in the game, but he is also smart enough to know what he doesn’t know. That means he leaves rugby league matters to Gould and Ciraldo.
“Say we’re talking footy, I am not saying to him, ‘I think we need to get the halfback to do this’,” Driussi said.
“I’m not swimming out of my lane telling him what to think about footy. To be honest, Ciro runs the NRL squad. Gus is a lot less involved in the NRL team than people assume.
“When people say he gets in there and tells people selections or whatever, he really doesn’t. But Gus works his arse off his pathways programs. He is at every junior game.
“So when we’re talking footy, it is all the different elements across everything that he is covering.”
Bulldogs General Manager of Football Phil Gould is at every junior game. Picture: Julian Andrews
His client list during that period has included some of the game’s greatest stars and legends including Ivan and Nathan Cleary, Wayne Bennett, Darren Lockyer, Cooper Cronk, Gorden Tallis, Billy Slater and Allan Langer.
Mimis is meticulous in his dealings when it comes to contracts.
He is renowned as one of the game’s most shrewd negotiators, but so too laborious in dotting every I and crossing every T in a deal.
It’s what makes the decision to extend Ciraldo’s contract until 2031 even more stunning when you understand that Mimis has never before encountered the prospect of co-ordinating a four-year extension for a coach who was only in his third season at the helm of an NRL side.
Mimis himself described it as unprecedented, while also indicating the first conversations with the Bulldogs were held just a few weeks into the 2025 season and that Gould’s contract extension is completely removed and separate to Ciraldo’s.
Phil Gould and Cameron Ciraldo during their time at Penrith Panthers. Picture: NRL Photos
With an acute understanding of how fickle the industry can be, Mimis offered startling insight into the reasons why he pursued the deal for Ciraldo.
“The context for that club is quite remarkable and it’s two words: Adam Driussi,” Mimis said.
“He’s the guy that rugby league hasn’t seen before in terms of the style of person that he is, but also the way he thinks.
“His critical thought is second to none from my point of view, in our industry.
“He’s a super intelligent guy, his moral compass is well and truly set north. He knows what he wants that organisation to look like.
“There’s absolutely no self-interest, which is decidedly un-rugby league. It’s very selfless, it’s very strategic, it’s very structural in terms of building long-term success.
“This is a guy that has built his ecosystem around data and analytics and AI and so he knows a thing or two about structure and strategy.
“He’s a breath of fresh air.’‘
Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo signed a four-year extension. Picture: Getty Images
Driussi was taken aback when told of Mimis’ comments.
He would prefer to deflect the credit to others including Ciraldo, conceding the club didn’t think twice about pulling the trigger on a new deal for their coach, who has been a revelation since he was hand-picked to preside over the Bulldogs revolution.
“Again, it was never a question of whether we wanted Cam to stick around,” Driussi said.
“Cam is very invested in the club.
“He doesn’t look like a guy who’s coming in to do a job - from day dot he has looked like a guy who knows it is his responsibility to build and shape the club and the culture.
“So he kind of operates like an owner of a business. He has that level of care.
“So the idea that he would then kind of want to walk away to join another club for more money, this was never going to be something I was ever worried about.”
Cameron Ciraldo has the Bulldogs humming in 2025. Picture: NRL Photos
This year has been their best since 2012, when they won the minor premiership and lost the grand final to Melbourne.
They were atop the ladder for much of the year and their season is still alive heading into Sunday’s blockbuster at Accor Stadium.
They may not get there this year, but Driussi is confident it isn’t far away.
Bulldogs fans have endured two grand final losses - in 2012 and 2014 - since they won the 2004 premiership. Picture: Getty Images
“The results speak for themselves, but what gives me real confidence is seeing first-hand the work they do every day,” he said.
“It’s not just about what happens on game day - it’s the culture and systems they’re building behind the scene.
“Both Gus and Cam are building something special here that goes beyond just coaching and managing - they’re creating a legacy.
“This isn’t a short-term project for either of them. They’ve invested heavily in our systems, our people and our culture.
“When you’re building something sustainable rather than chasing quick fixes, that creates genuine commitment.
“I’m very confident that we have the right people to build a club around long term and I can’t wait to see what the next six years brings.”
One of the most significant deals in Bulldogs history was sealed in less than 30 minutes over a steak at the Northbridge Hotel on Sydney’s lower north shore.
And then remarkably kept quiet for four months.
Bulldogs chairperson Adam Driussi, the man who sat down with Phil Gould to broker his new deal that will stretch until the end of 2031, has also revealed that the club secured coach Cameron Ciraldo for the same period in the blink of an eye.
Gould and Ciraldo have masterminded the rebuild of the Bulldogs, helping ignite an ailing club and a passionate fan base.
At some point in the next seven years, Driussi believes the pair will deliver the club a premiership.
Phil Gould, Cameron Ciraldo, and the Bulldogs army.
And it may yet be this year given the Bulldogs are still in the finals race - they will play Penrith in a sudden-death final at Accor Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Gould has his critics, but you won’t find them inside the walls of Belmore, where the club’s headquarters are based.
Driussi is an unabashed fan of Gus, whose rugby league genius is without peer.
So is his ability to polarise opposition supporters and members of the media given he is aligned with the Nine Network, where he is paid to give his forthright opinions on the NRL and rival clubs.
It hasn’t always been smooth sailing, but Gould has spearheaded the awakening of one of rugby league’s sleeping giants in concert with Ciraldo.
Little wonder Driussi was so keen to get Gould’s signature on a new contract that will ensure he is given time and space to deliver a title to the club.
Remarkably, the deal was knocked over in May as Gould was getting ready to watch a NSW Cup game at 4 Pines Park.
Bulldogs chairperson Adam Driussi.
Cameron Ciraldo and Phil Gould. Picture: Canterbury Bulldogs
On his way to the game, Gould stopped in at Driussi’s local - the Northbridge Hotel.
“We had a steak and I think we probably spent - if we spent an hour and half together, we probably spent an hour and 15 minutes of it just talking about real stuff we were doing,” Driussi said.
“The contract was probably as easy as a contract gets. He’s very easy going to work with. A lot of people probably think it could be the opposite.
“We didn’t negotiate anything. We just pretty much took the (existing) contract and I said, ‘Can you stick around?’
“He was like, ‘Yep’.
“He was pretty much like, ‘If you’re keen to have me, I am keen to stay around’.
“It was honestly probably less than half an hour. I then got back, typed the changes to the contract, and he sent it back to me with a lovely note straight away.”
The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs will be premiers this decade, according to the club’s chairperson. Picture: NRL PHOTOS
The genius of Gus
Driussi reckons he and Gould speak just about every day, if not in person than via text.Their unique relationship has helped the Bulldogs become a glamour club again, building a top four roster and bringing crowds flooding back through the gates.
Gould can be a complex man. He certainly isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but even his most ardent critics concede he has a remarkable football brain.
“Gus and I have a great relationship built on mutual respect and a shared vision for the club - we talk every day,” Driussi said.
“What makes Gus special is his 50 years of experience in the game, his football intellect, and his ability to see the big picture while genuinely caring for the people in our club.
“He does all sorts of things behind the scenes that no one sees - supporting players, staff, families and others through difficult times without seeking any recognition.
“He’s transformed everything about our football operation - from pathways to recruitment to high performance.”
Canterbury GM of football Phil Gould has a remarkable football brain. Picture: NewsWire
Driussi is one of the sharpest operators in the game, but he is also smart enough to know what he doesn’t know. That means he leaves rugby league matters to Gould and Ciraldo.
“Say we’re talking footy, I am not saying to him, ‘I think we need to get the halfback to do this’,” Driussi said.
“I’m not swimming out of my lane telling him what to think about footy. To be honest, Ciro runs the NRL squad. Gus is a lot less involved in the NRL team than people assume.
“When people say he gets in there and tells people selections or whatever, he really doesn’t. But Gus works his arse off his pathways programs. He is at every junior game.
“So when we’re talking footy, it is all the different elements across everything that he is covering.”
Bulldogs General Manager of Football Phil Gould is at every junior game. Picture: Julian Andrews
Signing Ciraldo
George Mimis - Ciraldo’s agent - is one of the most respected talent and brand managers in the NRL, having worked in the industry for the past 30 years.His client list during that period has included some of the game’s greatest stars and legends including Ivan and Nathan Cleary, Wayne Bennett, Darren Lockyer, Cooper Cronk, Gorden Tallis, Billy Slater and Allan Langer.
Mimis is meticulous in his dealings when it comes to contracts.
He is renowned as one of the game’s most shrewd negotiators, but so too laborious in dotting every I and crossing every T in a deal.
It’s what makes the decision to extend Ciraldo’s contract until 2031 even more stunning when you understand that Mimis has never before encountered the prospect of co-ordinating a four-year extension for a coach who was only in his third season at the helm of an NRL side.
Mimis himself described it as unprecedented, while also indicating the first conversations with the Bulldogs were held just a few weeks into the 2025 season and that Gould’s contract extension is completely removed and separate to Ciraldo’s.
Phil Gould and Cameron Ciraldo during their time at Penrith Panthers. Picture: NRL Photos
With an acute understanding of how fickle the industry can be, Mimis offered startling insight into the reasons why he pursued the deal for Ciraldo.
“The context for that club is quite remarkable and it’s two words: Adam Driussi,” Mimis said.
“He’s the guy that rugby league hasn’t seen before in terms of the style of person that he is, but also the way he thinks.
“His critical thought is second to none from my point of view, in our industry.
“He’s a super intelligent guy, his moral compass is well and truly set north. He knows what he wants that organisation to look like.
“There’s absolutely no self-interest, which is decidedly un-rugby league. It’s very selfless, it’s very strategic, it’s very structural in terms of building long-term success.
“This is a guy that has built his ecosystem around data and analytics and AI and so he knows a thing or two about structure and strategy.
“He’s a breath of fresh air.’‘
Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo signed a four-year extension. Picture: Getty Images
Driussi was taken aback when told of Mimis’ comments.
He would prefer to deflect the credit to others including Ciraldo, conceding the club didn’t think twice about pulling the trigger on a new deal for their coach, who has been a revelation since he was hand-picked to preside over the Bulldogs revolution.
“Again, it was never a question of whether we wanted Cam to stick around,” Driussi said.
“Cam is very invested in the club.
“He doesn’t look like a guy who’s coming in to do a job - from day dot he has looked like a guy who knows it is his responsibility to build and shape the club and the culture.
“So he kind of operates like an owner of a business. He has that level of care.
“So the idea that he would then kind of want to walk away to join another club for more money, this was never going to be something I was ever worried about.”
Cameron Ciraldo has the Bulldogs humming in 2025. Picture: NRL Photos
Chasing titles
The Bulldogs have now gone more than 20 years without winning a title, but they are getting closer and closer under the current regime.This year has been their best since 2012, when they won the minor premiership and lost the grand final to Melbourne.
They were atop the ladder for much of the year and their season is still alive heading into Sunday’s blockbuster at Accor Stadium.
They may not get there this year, but Driussi is confident it isn’t far away.
Bulldogs fans have endured two grand final losses - in 2012 and 2014 - since they won the 2004 premiership. Picture: Getty Images
“The results speak for themselves, but what gives me real confidence is seeing first-hand the work they do every day,” he said.
“It’s not just about what happens on game day - it’s the culture and systems they’re building behind the scene.
“Both Gus and Cam are building something special here that goes beyond just coaching and managing - they’re creating a legacy.
“This isn’t a short-term project for either of them. They’ve invested heavily in our systems, our people and our culture.
“When you’re building something sustainable rather than chasing quick fixes, that creates genuine commitment.
“I’m very confident that we have the right people to build a club around long term and I can’t wait to see what the next six years brings.”
Yep but you have to admit they are a club on the up .... I'd rather be them than us ... 50/50 is happy to be the office manager
Brookie1973
Previously TerryRandall
Have to disagree on that one, sorry.
Did Penn recently say seibold is not moving to football manager role.
At a closed door function last week there were speakers from south’s ,eels and us.mestrov spoke to the audience about the sea eagles generally. Very unimpressive…no real strategy other than the club has had its best two years from a bottom line perspective and we need middle forwards and we can beat any team in the comp, followed by siebold will be one of the best coaches in the comp in time. As an example Slime are putting 6 mil into their juniors strategy , to ensure they have a great breeding ground to select from whilst it was apparent Penn is pocketing every cent he can. mestrov also gave his version of events on the dce saga and how the club handled it. We desperately need a new owner is my take .
Terry Zarsoff
First Grader
I think he did, but Sago Head does speak with a forked tongue.
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