NRL news: Brandon Wakeham heads list of six Bulldogs without a deal for 2023
A former top-rated Canterbury junior is among a list of six Bulldogs without a deal for next season as the club prepares for the arrival of new coach Cameron Ciraldo.
Bulldogs
Don't miss out on the headlines from Bulldogs. Followed categories will be added to My News.
While one Canterbury forward will shrug off a stint in hospital to play for his future, another Bulldog is preparing to exit Belmore at season’s end.
Halfback Brandon Wakeham headlines a list of six Canterbury players without a deal for season 2023.
The Daily Telegraph understands local junior Wakeham, who has struggled to earn a place in the NRL side this year, will not be retained by the club.
For backrower Joe Stimson, not even a stay in hospital and an intravenous needle that was still in his forearm on Wednesday, is going to stop him from taking the field and for good reason.
The 26-year old is also without a contract for 2023 and wants to use the final two games of the season, against Cronulla and Manly, to secure his future at Belmore.
Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
So not even an untimely knee infection was going to get in the way of Stimson lacing up his boots on Saturday, in what is shaping as an audition in front of club officials and incoming coach Cameron Ciraldo.
“I’d love to say here, I’m off contract this year … nothing is really cemented yet but in saying that if (the Bulldogs) don’t really want me, I’d love to stay in the NRL for a little bit longer,” Stimson said.
Stimson, who has played 19 games this year, and his management are due to discuss his future in the coming days.
The former Melbourne forward was admitted into hospital earlier this week after a gash on his left knee became infected following last weekend’s loss to Parramatta.
Stimson insisted he would be healthy enough to play against the Sharks.
“Instead of having (antibiotics) orally it goes straight in, it’s just quicker,” Stimson said pointing to the infuser bottle connected to the drip line in his forearm.
“It was a cut on my knee from before, but it got infected I think from the ground.
“On Sunday it felt a bit sore, I sort of got a little fever on Monday and my glands were swollen a little bit … so they put me in hospital on Tuesday just in case but I was only in there for a few hours.”
That level of commitment is just one reason why superstar Josh Addo-Carr wants to see Stimson re-sign at the Bulldogs.
“Stimo and I go way back since our Storm days together,” Addo-Carr Said.
“He’s had a wonderful season, obviously some of the results have been disappointing but you see the kind of players that give their all and that’s Stimo.”
Like Stimson and Wakeham, under 20s NSW Blues forward Matt Doorey is without a home for next season.
Canterbury supremo Phil Gould, who is in the process of working through next season’s top 30 squad, is keeping a close eye on Doorey.
Doorey, a junior Kangaroos representative, is working his way back from an ACL injury in NSW Cup and it’s believed at least three other clubs have shown interest – including a western Sydney rival.
While big name recruit Tevita Pangai Jr is contracted until the end of season 2024, his demotion to NSW Cup this week has again raised questions about his future at Belmore.
It’s believed the former Brisbane forward, who is set to earn upwards of $750,000 next year, has been offered to rival outfits to help ease a salary cap squeeze.
Another 12 players contracted until the end of season 2023, including captain Josh Jackson, playmaker Jake Averillo and boom rookie Paul Alamoti will be eligible to test their value on the open from November 1 before getting the chance to impress rookie coach Ciraldo in the pre-season.
HOW PANGAI AXING WILL BE BLESSING IN DISGUISE
Canterbury star Josh Addo Carr believes Tevita Pangai Junior’s axing is a ‘blessing in disguise’, as teammates defended the big money recruit against accusations of an attitude problem.
Bulldogs supremo Phil Gould confirmed on social media Pangai Junior was dropped to NSW Cup on form after the side was thumped 42-6 by Parramatta last weekend.
It means the Bulldogs’ reserve grade outfit will have a park footballer worth $925,000 a season at their disposal when they take on the Newtown Jets on Saturday at Henson Park.
Pangai Junior was ranked No.12 on The Daily Telegraph’s Rich 100 list in 2022, making him the biggest earner at Belmore.
But after managing 30 minutes against the Eels, making 60 metres from nine runs, the former Brisbane Broncos forward will now line up at lock against the Jets in NSW Cup.
Close friend Addo-Carr knocked back any suggestions Pangai Junior was taking a lax approach to training or that his commitment to the Bulldogs could be questioned.
“I know T man, he trains hard, he works hard and he has a good attitude,” Addo-Carr said.
“I’m sure he will bounce back, that’s part of footy and it might be a blessing in disguise for us. He’s had a rough couple of weeks travelling.”
Before taking the field against the Eels, Pangai Junior had a whirlwind two weeks, which included a dash from Bundaberg to Brisbane after the Cowboys clash to be with his partner during the birth of their son.
“He’s just had a little baby boy with his missus and as everyone knows family comes first,” Addo-Carr said.
“He travelled from Bundaberg to Brisbane and back to Sydney and his missus is still up there (Brisbane) with her family for support.
“Travelling and looking after a newborn catches up on you.”
Speaking from experience, Joe Stimson, who has played 11 reserve grade games over the past two years, said a demotion to the NSW Cup had served him as a ‘reality check’.
“I didn’t take things for granted… it really puts everything into perspective,” Stimson said.
“You feel frustrated playing reserve grade but you can’t kick stones back there because if you play bad there, there is nowhere else to go. It gives you extra motivation to play really well to get back into the first grade team which is where you want to be.”
Stimson is backing Pangai Junior to prove his first grade credentials against the Jets this weekend.
“I know Tevita pretty well now and he is one the hardest trainers that we have here and this is just a little setback and he will bounce back really well,” Stimson said. “I won’t be surprised if he puts on a show in NSW Cup this week and will be back next week.”
It’s not the first time interim coach Mick Potter has pulled the trigger in a significant team change.
Back in June, Potter made the bold move of switching Jake Averillo from the halves into fullback after Matt Dufty was also dumped to reserve grade.
“(Tevita) has taken it well, everyone knows that’s footy sometimes, you have your good days and your bad days. Tevita has been really good for us the whole season… that’s Pottsy opinion and that’s fine. The boys will get around him but he’s a pretty confident person and he will do everything he can for the team.”
The Pangai Jr fact that Gus won’t tell fans
— Fatima Kdouh
Canterbury supremo Phil Gould has responded to confused Bulldogs fans on social media asking why Tevita Pangai Junior has been sensationally dumped to NSW Cup.
The Daily Telegraph understands the decision to drop the big money recruit is form based after the Bulldogs’ were thumped 42-6 by Parramatta last weekend.
It means the Bulldogs reserve grade side will have a park footballer worth $925,000 a season at their disposal when they take on the Newtown Jets on Saturday at Henson Park.
Pangai Junior was ranked as high no.12 on The Daily Telegraph’s Rich 100 list in 2022, making him the biggest earner at Belmore.
But after managing 30 minutes against the Eels, where he made 60 metres from nine runs, the former Brisbane Broncos forward was axed to reserve grade on Tuesday and will now line up at lock against the Jets.
Gould confirmed the news on Twitter after Bulldogs fans questioned the noticeable absence of Pangai Junior on the team sheet to take on Cronulla on Saturday.
Tevita has been named to play NSW Cup at Henson Park this weekend. https://t.co/dZbnrk8XAg
— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) August 23, 2022
“Tevita has been named to play NSW Cup at Henson Park this weekend,” Gould replied after a fan asked why Pangai Junior was out for the Sharks game.
It’s not the first time interim coach Mick Potter has pulled the trigger in a significant team change.
Back in June, Potter made the bold move of switching Jake Averillo from the halves into fullback after Matt Dufty was also dumped to reserve grade.
‘Real deal’ Ciraldo will bring out best in TPJ
— David Riccio
Bulldogs enforcer Tevita Pangai Jr has described Cameron Ciraldo as the “real deal”, adding the rookie coach’s appointment is a dream come true.
Pangai Jr has also revealed for the first time how it was Ciraldo, who he has known since he was 14, that was responsible for getting him to Penrith for a six-game stint last year.
Ahead of Saturday’s clash with Parramatta, Pangai Jr said he would be treating the 2023 season as the most important of his career.
“For him (Ciraldo) to be appointed Canterbury coach is a dream come true, honestly,” Pangai Jr said. “Technically and management-wise of a team, I’ve had some good coaches coach me, like JD (Jason Demetriou) and Wayne (Bennett), but he’s the real deal.
“I know it all doesn’t come down to the coach, I’ve got to do my part too.
“I’ve got to work hard and it obviously it helps that I’ll have a good coach, who I respect.
“But if I do bad and I fail, then that’s on me, not on Ciro. The next two years are so important to me.’’
The proud father to a newly-born baby boy, Pangai Jr said his insights stemmed from his longstanding relationship with Ciraldo, which has given him the belief that the Dogs have made the right call.
“Ciro played for Newcastle in the same team as Richie Fa’aoso, who is a family relative of mine,’’ Pangai Jr said. “That’s when I got to know him.
“I’d go over for a barbecue at Richie’s and Ciro would be there. We’d talk footy all the time. “We were ended up being in the same team of the year in Holden Cup in 2015. He was coach of the year and I was second rower of the year.
“He’s a coach who really cares for his players and I think that will bring out the best in me.’’
Pangai Jr, 26, said if it wasn’t for Ciraldo, he would never have joined the premiers from Brisbane to help their charge towards the 2021 title after round 23 last year.
At one point, the three-month cut-price deal looked certain to fall over due to salary cap restraints.
“He’s the one that got me to Penrith and got me over the line,’’ Pangai Jr said.
“He was the main reason I got there.
“When the deal fell through at one point, I called him up because I’ve known him for so long. I was crying when they said the deal wouldn’t go through.
“But I spoke to Ciro and he was able to impress on management that the club needed to push harder for the deal to happen.
“When I got there, he was huge for me.
“He’s a coach who really cares for his players and I think that will bring out the best in me.’’
Pangai Jr missed Canterbury’s loss to the Warriors last weekend due to the birth of his son.
“It’s the best, my wife and I are so happy,’’ Pangai Jr said.
“He’s a big boy, happy and healthy, he’s perfect.’’
Johns: How Ciraldo can convince me Dogs have changed
— Matty Johns
Everything suggests Cameron Ciraldo will be a success at the Canterbury Bulldogs.
Firstly he has strong tactical knowledge, and has worked as an attack and defence coach, so has an intimate knowledge of both sides of the game. And crucially he understands how one impacts the other.
An assistant who’s only coached attack often gives little thought to how his tactics impact the defence.
They see no fault in the team’s struggle because their attack is delivering 24 points a game, while the defence is leaking 30.
They fail to acknowledge that all the mistakes in their attack is the cause of the defensive shortcomings.
Secondly, and I write this respectfully, Cameron wasn’t a world beating footballer, he was a good solid professional. In many instances brilliant players with natural gifts don’t make good coaches, you see 90 per cent of the playing population aren’t stars, they are hard working professionals, grinders. The naturally gifted former player cum coach struggles to understand what the average player needs.
They struggle to communicate what they see and what they want. “This is what’s required, now just go and do it.”
Players don’t need information overload, but they do need detail.
One of Ciraldo’s strengths is his ability to communicate what he wants in a manner which players understand immediately. When players fully understand what a coach wants they have the ability to self-correct, it’s one of the keys in not overcoaching.
And Cameron has something which all successful coaches have loads of and failed coaches have none of, empathy for their players. One of the primary desires a team must have is the want to win for their coach, and that stems from the coach having empathy.
The great Corsican conqueror, Napoleon Bonaparte was loved by his soldiers, it was a crucial factor in his success.
If you love your leader you fight harder. Caring for the men under your leadership is where I should probably leave the comparisons between Ciraldo and Bonaparte, with Napoleon being just a fraction over five feet and Ciraldo pushing 6’4. Ciraldo modest and assuming, Bonaparte one of history’s greatest megalomaniacs.
If ever Cameron Ciraldo starts commissioning artists to paint portraits of him in the coach’s box mid-match, you’ll know it’s the beginning of the end.
So yes, everything points to the Dogs having success under Cameron Ciraldo, but there are no guarantees until he’s passed that vital test which all coaches eventually face, whether it be sooner or later.
That inevitable period where he’s placed in the furnace. It’s when the Dogs are in the midst of a losing run, the first time Cameron will be receiving negative press, the fans will start
questioning if he really is the coach they were promised, and ‘unnamed sources’ start leaking that he might have lost sections of the dressing room. Very few have been spared this.
It’s not a matter of will Cameron feel the pressure, it’s how he operates in amongst it, and if he can come through it. Some don’t.
The X’s and O’s won’t be the thing that gets Ciraldo through, it’s the people around him.
I wrote recently that the first person rookie coaches must appoint to their coaching team is an older mentor who’s been through it all before. In this instance Ciraldo will be served well.
Phil Gould’s presence has proven problematic for coaches, but he’s invested heavily in Ciraldo, and his legacy at the Dogs is tied to Cameron’s success.
If Ciraldo taps into Gould’s knowledge their good relationship will maintain.
The experienced Mick Potter has to stay on the staff, he’s done a brilliant job as interim coach and will help Cameron fast track in knowing the strengths and weaknesses of the players.
Former head coach of Manly, Peter Sharp, sits in recruitment at the Bulldogs, Ciraldo should pull him closer to the team. Peter’s had a lifetime in the game and I’ve rarely seen someone build better relationships with players. He’ll be invaluable.
And finally, former NRL player Billy Millard. Billy sits in the Dog’s junior pathways system.
Billy is capable of being a head coach himself and like Sharp, his strength is player relationships. Millard is highly regarded by all in Rugby League.
Everything’s in place. I’m tempted to say, ‘What could possibly go wrong.’
AND ANOTHER THING
The news this week that former Knights junior Zac Hosking has signed a two-year-deal with the competition’s premier club Penrith is symbolic of how Newcastle have totally lost their way in the last decade.
The Hunter Valley juniors has been the primary pillar of any success the Knights have enjoyed in their history. Yet this has been allowed to erode dramatically.
From the first time I saw Zac play in the Knights U/20s team there was no doubt in my mind that he was an NRL player. He had the skills, the smarts, the toughness and the character.
Yet he was largely ignored to the point where he was playing in the local Newcastle competition and working on a building site.
The Broncos however, from almost 1000kms away, did recognise his talent and offered him a chance and predictably he’s proven his quality.
And now the Panthers have pounced.
The competition has plenty of former Knights who are playing great football elsewhere as a result of unrecognised talent in Newcastle, or the fact they are finally getting the coaching attention they needed.
More Coverage
Originally published as NRL news: Brandon Wakeham heads list of six Bulldogs without a deal for 2023
Bulldogs lock in key forward on new deal
Canterbury’s forward pack punched above its weight in 2024, with one of their top performers rewarded with a contract extension.
Cashed-up Kennel: Bulldogs have a cap-busting budget in 2025
Bulldogs GM of football Phil Gould has revealed that the club played $1.6 million short on their salary cap in 2024 – a saving that is going to have a big impact in the transfer market for 2025, writes DAVID RICCIO.