Just 10 weeks ago, Canterbury Bulldogs supporters were bracing for another disappointing NRL season, their finals hopes all but written off. Today, the once-struggling blue-and-whites find themselves on the brink of a top-eight spot, riding a five-win-from-six-match hot streak that has breathed new life into their campaign and left fans daring to dream of a deep finals run.
Heading into their must-win clash at Melbourne’s AAMI Park, the Bulldogs sit just two competition points adrift of sixth-placed South Sydney Rabbitohs, though they trail the Sydney side significantly on for-and-against differential. The venue carries bitter recent memories for Canterbury: they dropped two matches at AAMI Park late last season, including an early finals exit at the hands of the Storm. But that history has only added stakes to a match that will make or break their 2024 finals aspirations.
It was a 30-20 upset victory over the Storm back in Round 12 that sparked the Bulldogs’ extraordinary resurgence. Before that win, head coach Cameron Ciraldo’s side sat at a grim 3-7 win-loss record, mired in a crippling five-match losing skid. Since that turning point, the team’s biggest strength has been its elite defensive structure, holding opposition sides to just one single try across their last two outings. It was star player Matt Burton’s dynamic running game that lit the fuse for that upset Round 12 win, and Ciraldo says the squad has evolved drastically in the 10 weeks since that encounter.
“It’s been 10 weeks since we last played the Storm, and I think we’ve learnt plenty in that time,” Ciraldo told reporters ahead of Friday’s clash. “Our game has evolved a lot, and we’ll have to take all of those lessons into tomorrow. I’ve really liked our team performance over the past 10 weeks. We haven’t always got the result, but we’ve been building in a lot of areas, getting our process right, and starting to believe again in what we’re capable of. We know coming down to Melbourne is never easy, it’s always a tough battle and it’s an intense game, so we’re going to have to be at our best.”
The most visible tactical shift that has turned Canterbury’s season around is Ciraldo’s decision to move captain Stephen Crichton into the five-eighth role, pairing him with young halfback Lachlan Galvin. The new halves combination faced widespread skepticism from critics when it was first announced, but the pair have consistently defied expectations, locking into their attacking roles and helping the entire side play with renewed freedom and confidence.
Ciraldo heaped praise on both players for their adaptability and work ethic, singling out captain Crichton for his team-first leadership. “I’m really proud of those two guys with how they’ve handled themselves over that period,” Ciraldo said. “There has been a lot of talk about their positions and what they’re capable of, but I really like the way they’ve come together and formed a combination and also what they’ve been able to do with their individual games as well. It’s credit to both of them and how hard they work.”
Speaking of 21-year-old Galvin, the coach noted the young playmaker has improved exponentially week over week, punching well above his experience level when given opportunities. “He is 21 years old now and he’s improving so much each week,” Ciraldo said. “Like any 21-year-old, they’re still learning their trade and chasing that improvement. When he sees opportunities, he plays well above his years and that’s what we appreciate about his game.”
As the Bulldogs prepare to take on the NRL powerhouse that has long dominated their recent encounters at AAMI Park, a win would not only lock in a likely top-eight berth but also cement one of the most impressive season turnarounds in recent NRL history. If they can replicate their Round 12 upset performance, the Bulldogs are poised to become one of the most dangerous underdog sides in this year’s finals series.