NRL Agenda: Jacob Kiraz contract future, how Cameron Ciraldo can fix Bulldogs attack

The negotiating power of Canterbury’s cut-price fan favourite Jacob Kiraz is exploding with every outstanding performance. Check out all the NRL’s biggest talking points!

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 12: Dragons head coach Anthony Griffin speaks to the media after the round two NRL match between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Gold Coast Titans at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on March 12, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

From a new recruit that was filled with promise but now faces the axe to more drama at a struggling outfit, where fuel was added to the fire by the people supposed to be protecting the club.

Check out all the biggest rugby league talking points in this week’s NRL Agenda.

THE MARKET MOVER: JACOB KIRAZ

With every outstanding performance, Jacob Kiraz’s negotiating power continues to increase.

Kiraz, who is two points from top spot on the Dally M leaderboard, is free to test the market from November but Canterbury would know to move quickly to stop rivals from getting close enough to the hardworking winger.

Jacob Kiraz could command some serious coin with his next NRL contract. Picture: Getty

If Kiraz remains on the same trajectory, he could be tempted to see what other offers are out there, and there will be plenty.

He was promoted from a $40,000 train and trial deal into an NRL contract in 2022 but most certainly demands an upgrade in this upcoming negotiation.

More than a try scoring, tackle breaking, metre eating machine, Kiraz, a local junior, is quickly becoming the heart and soul of the Canterbury and the club better be prepared to open the cheque book.

PODCAST HOT TAKE: HOW DOGS CAN BITE BACK

Once again Matt Burton and Kyle Flanagan are under fire for the Bulldogs’ toothless attack but maybe it’s time coach Cameron Ciraldo reassess his pick at fullback.

If scoring points and creating try opportunities is the priority, then trying centre Jake Averillo at fullback ahead of Hayze Perham could help spark the spine into action.

Averillo is naturally a playmaker with fullback ambitions, while Perham’s passing game is still developing.

Jake Averillo could spark the Bulldogs attack from fullback. Picture: Getty Images

In a side where the coach is willing to stick with his halves pairing, a move this columnist backs, then the solution might be in another key position, fullback.

The Daily Telegraph’s Monday podcast crew got stuck into the teething problems at the Bulldogs, Joseph Suaalii’s defection and Parramatta’s head scratching recruitment moves around skipper Clint Gutherson.

UNDER PRESSURE – DRAGONS FRONT OFFICE

The Dragons have waded into dangerous territory this week ahead of Saturday’s clash with the Dolphins, and this time they have their front office to blame.

Don’t take this columnist‘s word for it, take the word of skipper Ben Hunt or even the meagre 39 words that under-fire coach Anthony Griffin could barely muster after the side’s embarrassing defeat against the Sharks.

Ben Hunt has been outspoken in his support of Anthony Griffin. Picture: Getty

Hunt made it clear he wasn’t happy with the way management had hung Griffin out to dry by making moves to interview for the coach’s job.

Now, not only are the Dragons under the gun on the field, there could be rumblings of discontent between the players and management.

That spells bad news for the Red V. The side doesn’t need distractions, they need to win and now the club’s own management have played a hand making that task an even more difficult one.

SELECTION CALL – PENRITH BACKROW

Zac Hosking is too good for reserve grade and should stay in coach Ivan Cleary‘s 17 when Penrith take on Canberra on Friday night.

A huge performance on debut for the club by Hosking has well and truly put fellow recruit Luke Garner on notice, the man preferred as Viliame Kikau‘s replacement on the left edge.

Zac Hosking celebrates with teammates after scoring a try against Parramatta. Picture: Getty

Hosking came in for Liam Martin on the right edge. But with Martin due back this week, Cleary has a call to make between Hosking or Garner.

Garner has had a mixed start to his Panthers career and only played 29 minutes against Parramatta before leaving the field injured.

Hosking made a whopping 47 tackles to go with his try, five tackle busts and two linebreaks.

LOOKING FORWARD TO... SHAUN JOHNSON V NICHO HYNES

One is a halfback at the peak of his powers, the other is a rejuvenated veteran and together Hynes and Johnson make for a mouth-watering match-up when Cronulla take on the Warriors on Sunday.

Johnson was unceremoniously told he wasn‘t wanted by Craig Fitzgibbon, to make way for Hynes, who was favoured as the Sharks No.7 in 2022.

Nicho Hynes (R) was back with a bang on Sunday night. Picture: NRL PHOTOS

Even Immortal Andrew Johns bagged the move but it proved a masterstroke, and Hynes a Dally M calibre player.

This year Johnson has found maturity in his game, where he is relying on his footy smarts, and kicking game, rather than just his off the cuff plays and it’s paying off for the Warriors.

But there’s no doubt getting tapped at Cronulla would have stung Johnson, and he’ll be looking for a taste of revenge against Hynes.

SUPERCOACH MUST HAVE – NATHAN CLEARY

With Nathan Cleary set for his first price change, which will be a drop in the vicinity of $110,000 this week, now is the right time to pounce on the Penrith halfback.

Yes, the playmaker has a high break even and is due for at least one more big price drop, maybe two, tempting SuperCoaches to wait it out.

But if his history against upcoming opposition is anything to go by, then Cleary is set for a purple patch of SuperCoach form.

Cleary finished last Thursday‘s game against Parramatta with 77 points and is poised to build on that in the coming rounds when he takes on Canberra, Manly, Newcastle and South Sydney. Cleary has averaged 80 plus points against each side with a high of a 95 point average against the Knights.

Originally published as NRL Agenda: Jacob Kiraz contract future, how Cameron Ciraldo can fix Bulldogs attack