NRL 2022: Penrith Panthers have launched the first salvo in a $6 million fight to keep star trio

Penrith are counting on the comforts of home to help their bid to keep a trio of star players as they attempt to fend off big-money interest from rival clubs.

The Bulldogs finally have a new coach for 2023, after landing in demand Cameron Ciraldo. Picture: Getty Images.

Penrith are counting on the comfort and security of home to hold sway over the temptation to follow Cameron Ciraldo and the lure of dollar signs as they look to avoid $6 million bidding war for star trio Liam Martin, Stephen Crichton and Brian To’o.

The Panthers have tabled initial offers to all three and it is understood the talks are progressing positively as they work towards a deal that would keep them at the premiers for the foreseeable future.

Crichton in particular has been linked with a move given he has spoken of a desire to play fullback and has a close association with Canterbury-bound assistant Ciraldo.

Yet Crichton on Tuesday insisted his future was the furthest thing from his mind as he zeroed in on defending the title Penrith won last year.

The last thing the Panthers need is for all three to arrive at November 1 having failed to agree new deals, leaving them able to sign with rival clubs for 2024.

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Stephen Crichton and Brian To’o are prime targets for rival clubs. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

Sources in the NRL confirmed that Crichton could expect to command upwards of $800,000 a season on the open market given he has a desire to play fullback, Martin could be offered as much as $600,000, and To’o up to $500,000 as an elite winger.

Given they would expect three-year deals at the very minimum, it would likely mean rivals clubs outlaying up to $6 million for the trio. Penrith are unlikely to be able to go that high given they have retained Nathan Cleary, James Fisher-Harris, Jarome Luai and Isaah Yeo on long-term deals.

They are no doubt relying on their record of success and the players’ connection to Penrith to help compensate for any cash they may give up. The wildcard in the talks is the decision by Ciraldo to move to Canterbury next season on a long-term deal.

The Bulldogs have signed Viliame Kikau and Reed Mahoney for next year but they have loads of salary cap room in 2024 and a need to fill some key positions in their spine to complement Mahoney and Matt Burton.

Panthers assistant coach Cameron Ciraldo will take charge of the Bulldogs next season. Picture: Matt Blyth/Getty Images

Crichton seems an obvious target, although he insisted he was solely focused on the present and would deal with the future in the off-season.

“I haven’t really spoken to my manage or anything about that,” Crichton said.

“Still locked in with Penrith for the rest of the year and we have some big games coming up. I haven’t really thought about that outside stuff yet.

“That time will come up. My main job is to …. perform on the weekend. I haven’t thought about it too much. I will leave it to the end of the year to make those big decisions.”

Asked how difficult it would be to leave Penrith, Crichton said: “It would be hard. I haven’t really thought about hard it would be because it hasn’t crossed my mind yet. I worry about playing footy.”

Ciraldo’s decision to take up a lucrative long-term deal from the Bulldogs had been widely touted but he only informed the Penrith players after formally accepting the deal on Sunday.

Stephen Crichton is focused on winning another premiership with the Panthers. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“He pulled us together and told us about the announcement,” Crichton said.

“The boys were happy he had his future secured. He finished off by saying we have a job to do this weekend and for the rest of the year.

“I know he is really focused on us here until the end comes. I got to (form) a relationship with Ciro when I started training with the first grade boys.

“I get a lot of wraps but I know our assistant coaches are the first to bring me down and show he clips where I can get better.

“Out assistant coaches are honest with me about what I have to work on.”

Panthers don’t fear Ciraldo targeting their stars

-Brent Read, Dean Ritchie, David Riccio and Michael Carayannis

Penrith officials say they have no concerns over Bulldogs-bound Cameron Ciraldo pinching Panthers players and have ruled out placing a poaching ban on their assistant for the remainder of his stay at the premiers.

Ciraldo was confirmed as Canterbury’s new coach at the weekend, signing a multimillion dollar five-year deal that will allow him the time to rebuild the once-powerful club alongside head of football Phil Gould.

The Bulldogs have already signed Penrith star Viliame Kikau for next season and a handful of the Panthers’ biggest names will be up for grabs from November 1, among them Liam Martin, Brian To’o and Stephen Crichton.

(L-R) Stephen Crichton and Brian To’o are two Panthers up for grabs from 1 November. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

Crichton, in particular, shapes as an attractive proposition for the Bulldogs given they have played musical chairs with the fullback position this season and the NSW star is believed to crave an opportunity in the No, 1 jersey.

News Corp understands that Crichton is also among a group of players who hold Ciraldo in the highest of esteem and there would no doubt be a temptation to switch camps if the Bulldogs come to the party with a big deal.

Two years ago the Panthers faced a similar situation when Canterbury came after then-assistant coach Trent Barrett. Barrett was given strict instructions from the Panthers that their players were off limits, although he subsequently signed Matt Burton and Kikau.

South Sydney put a poaching ban on Wayne Bennett after he announced he would be taking over at the Dolphins but Penrith chief executive Brian Fletcher said the club didn’t feel the need to follow suit, insisting that Ciraldo wouldn’t abuse his position of power to recruit Panthers players.

(L-R) Nathan Cleary and Cameron Ciraldo.

“We trust the bloke,” Fletcher said.

“He’s a genuine person. He has been with us for a long time. We have a few (players) off contract. We have to lock them down.

“That’s our job. We’re not concerned about that (poaching out players) at all.”

Martin, To’o and Crichton aside, the Panthers also have Spencer Leniu, Scott Sorensen and Charlie Staines entering the final year of their deals on November 1.

Staines has already been given permission to explore his options for 2023 as the Panthers look to offer him the chance to play first grade and attempt to manufacture room under their salary cap to keep their stars.

The Panthers are believed to have already tabled an initial offer to Crichton, who has also been linked with the Dolphins, where he could play fullback under Bennett.

Crichton, To’o and Martin are all in line for pay rises in their new deals and their negotiating power will only increase should the Bulldogs come in with a lucrative bid for their services. It means Ciraldo will be forced to walk a fine line over the coming weeks as he keeps one eye on the present and another on the future.

Liam Martin of the Panthers. Picture: NRL Imagery

He will effectively be forced to juggle the task of rebuilding the Bulldogs with his coaching duties at Penrith in the same way Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon did when he was an assistant at the Roosters.

The pair are good mates so it would be no surprise if they exchanged notes on how to handle the twin roles. Fitzgibbon managed to piece together a quality roster for his first year at the Sharks without pillaging the Roosters and Ciraldo would no doubt prefer to do likewise at Canterbury.

Yet Crichton in particular shapes as one of the best players in the game to hit the open market on November 1 and Ciraldo wouldn’t necessarily be doing the right thing by the Bulldogs by passing over the chance to sign the Blues back.

Ciraldo’s close relationship with Bulldogs GM of football Phil Gould was key to getting him to the club. Picture: Getty Images

GUS GOULD BREAKS HIS SILENCE

-Dean Ritchie

Bulldogs general manager of football, Phil Gould, has spoken for the first time about his club’s stunning coaching coup.

Gould opened up about Canterbury’s five-year deal with highly-regarded Panthers assistant coach, Cameron Ciraldo, which starts from 2023.

Ciraldo rejected a similar five-year offer from Wests Tigers – and the chance to remain a Panther for another season – to join Gould at Belmore.

Gould and Ciraldo built a robust working relationship during their time together at Penrith.

“It’s a big brick in the wall,” Gould told 9.

“This is something he (Ciraldo) has always wanted to do. I think it’s the next step in his coaching career and I think he’s going to be a career coach.

“Everything looks better at the moment. Things are going really good here. I can see where there are blue skies ahead.”

Ciraldo’s arrivals will, according to Gould, ensure Canterbury is a more attractive option for off-contract players.

Gould was unconcerned at suggestions the five-year for an untried coach was excessive.

“None whatsoever. I think it’s a statement about us as a club and the stability we need here for the next decade and the head coach is an important part of that,” Gould said.

“We’ve still got a lot of work to do. We are a long way off the pace in many areas but we’re extremely happy with the type of stability we have here at the moment with the board, management and the other staff.

“Things are looking good.”

Ciraldo also fielded interest from other unknown NRL clubs before agreeing to join Canterbury.

HOW EMOTIONAL CIRALDO BROKE EXIT NEWS TO PANTHERS

Cameron Ciraldo will become the youngest coach in the NRL and in doing so ensure the most lethal boot in the game stays a Bulldog.

Turning 38 in October, Ciraldo will enter the NRL furnace as the game’s new rookie coach after signing a mega five-year deal to take over Canterbury from 2023.

Canterbury’s appointment of the man widely regarded as the next best coach in-waiting presents a double coup for the rebuilding club.

Bulldogs superboot Matt Burton is now almost certain to extend his future at the club under Ciraldo, with whom he shares a tight relationship from their days together at Penrith.

Despite months of speculation linking him to the Bulldogs, Ciraldo only agreed to the deal on Sunday morning.

Loyal to a fault to his players, many of whom he coached through the Penrith lower grades, Ciraldo told his manager George Mimis not to agree to the Bulldogs deal until he had informed the players of his life-changing call.

The Bulldogs finally have a new coach for 2023, landing in demand Cameron Ciraldo. Picture: Getty Images

Unlike the leaking of confidential meetings and contract details while being courted by the Wests Tigers two months ago, Ciraldo was adamant the players learn the news from him – and not through the media.

The Panthers’ lead assistant to Ivan Cleary and defence coach held back tears as he explained his decision at a team meeting just after 11.30am.

Ciraldo thanked the entire playing group for providing him with his chance to become an NRL coach before vowing to give everything towards winning back-to-back premierships.

That comment led to a raucous cheer and wild applause with the entire playing group swamping the assistant coach with hugs and high-fives.

Having made the biggest call of his playing and coaching career, the former Italy national head coach shared a stick of home made salami and a couple of cold beers with the entire Panthers coaching staff.

Ciraldo had the option to stay at Penrith as an assistant coach for 2023 and beyond, but the lure of taking the next step at Canterbury with the security of a five-year contract proved impossible to ignore.

Matt Burton is set to stay at the Bulldogs. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Ciraldo was attracted to the Dogs for a number of reasons.

The character of the playing group to rediscover themselves following the sacking of former Dogs coach Trent Barrett was a major factor.

The club’s strong financial backing, their rich history and a developing roster were also big ticks.

Major sponsor Craig Laundy said this was a defining moment in the club’s history and called Ciraldo’s signing a “big day”.

“The next generation of Laundys are beyond excited, Laundy said. “I’ve told them how powerful this club can be … they’re excited to see that first hand, rather than live on stories of times gone by.”

“We congratulate Gus (Gould), John Khoury, Aaron Warburton, and the board on their vision – outstanding. They have worked tirelessly to achieve todays result.”

Ciraldo’s strong relationship with Bulldogs GM of football Phil Gould, dating back to when Gould worked at Penrith, was also an undeniable factor.

Ciraldo has formulated his coaching style from working with a range of leaders.

“He’s had a massive influence over my understanding of the game,

coaching philosophies and structures,” Ciraldo once said of Gould.

The Bulldogs have shown a lot of faith in Ciraldo by handing him a five-year deal.

“I had Ricky Stuart and Brian Smith, I took a lot out of them. I got to work with Trent

Barrett when he was here (at Penrith) and Craig Fitzgibbon in the Country camp. I was

lucky to be part of that for four years.”

Ciraldo grew up as a Balmain Tigers fan who loved attending Leichhardt Oval with his father.

He played 94 NRL games for Penrith, Newcastle and Canberra but admits he struggled with self-doubt.

“That now helps me in coaching when I see that in a young player and can try to give him that confidence, remind him of the opportunity he’s got and what he can achieve,” Ciraldo has said.

Canterbury confirmed the signing on Sunday afternoon.

“As the club continues to build for long-term sustained success, we are pleased Cameron shares the vision of ensuring our football programs are best-in-class,” the Bulldogs said in a statement.

The Panthers said Ciraldo had helped turn the club into a powerhouse.

“Although we’re saddened to see Cameron depart the club at the end of the season, we’re thrilled to see him progress to the next chapter of his NRL coaching career,” Panthers CEO Matt Cameron said.

Big on player relationship and culture within the team, Ciraldo has proven integral in the development of every player from the 2021 Penrith premiership-winning side, having first stepped into a coaching role as the club’s NYC under-20s assistant in 2014.

He was promoted to the NYC under-20s head coaching job the following year and led the side to the 2015 premiership.

He was named 2015 and 2016 NYC under-20s coach of the year.

Ciraldo also took over as Penrith’s first grade interim coach for the final six rounds of the 2018 season following the sacking of Anthony Griffin.

Revered for his work ethic and attention to detail, Ciraldo was also the Country Origin assistant coach between 2014 and 2017, while he also coached Italy in 2016.

Ciraldo’s exit will leave Cleary requiring two new assistant coaches at Penrith in 2023 following the additional departure of attack coach Andrew Webster to take over as Warriors head coach.