NRL 2021: Penrith’s ‘defence technician’ Cameron Ciraldo has Panthers purring
The next NRL club looking out for a new coach could do no worse than casting an eye out Penrith way, especially if one crucial part of their game needs some attention.
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The man behind Penrith’s history-making start to the season works 20 hours a day and has been dubbed the “Defence Technician”.
Panthers defensive coach Cameron Ciraldo has stonewalled the Cowboys and Bulldogs, with Penrith becoming the first team to hold opponents to 0 in the opening two rounds.
Penrith has relinquished just three line breaks this year — the best of any side — and missed the fewest tackles while also conceding the fewest metres and post-contact metres in the NRL.
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Now Ciraldo and the Panthers defence confront their toughest assignment – stopping Melbourne’s Cam Munster, Ryan Papenhuyzen and Josh Addo-Carr at Panthers Stadium on Thursday night.
“Eighty per cent of defence is about effort and being accountable to your teammate inside,” Panthers legend and club deputy chairman Greg Alexander said.
“But when you talk about technicalities, defence coaching is very specific. There’s more to it than what you think if you’re the average person watching footy.
“The players have to bring the attitude and enthusiasm but technically, as our defence technician, ‘Ciro’ is outstanding.
“Defence can get very technical and that’s where he is very good. That is why the players are constantly learning from him.
“As our defence coach, his attention to detail and what the players learn about defence, it stands him out as one of the best assistants running around.”
Last year, during Penrith’s surge into the grand final, Ciraldo and the Panthers secured some stunning defensive statistics.
The Panthers conceded the fewest points of any side, fewest metres and post-contact metres and fewest linebreaks.
“‘Ciro’ took over when Anthony Griffin departed towards the end of 2018 and I think he is a first grade coach. He is good enough to be a head coach,” Alexander said.
“We were also best defensive side last year. Cameron’s impact on the side defensively isn’t new. It’s been a great start keeping both sides to nil.
“While neither side (Cowboys and Bulldogs) are high-flyers, it’s still impressive in the early part of the season to have your defence in such good order.”
A close mate of Ciraldo says the Panthers assistant works 20 hours a day.
“His working hours are quite remarkable,” said Reno Santaguida, who was also the Italian manager when Ciraldo was head coach. “He’s a genius.
“He would go to bed around midnight and be up at 4am. It might not happen every day but he’d generally be doing 20 hours a day. It’s incredible. He is meticulous with detail – head down, arse up, putting everything together.
“Every part of the football operation, right down to the socks the players wear, he’s all over it. For Penrith not to have let in a point in the first two games, that doesn’t surprise me.
“‘Ciro’ would send me messages at 1am and then 4am. I thought: ‘Does this bloke sleep?’ He has a great work ethic. I can’t believe he’s not coaching the Italian team.”
Penrith beat North Queensland 24-0 in round one and then Canterbury 28-0 last Saturday.
Originally published as NRL 2021: Penrith’s ‘defence technician’ Cameron Ciraldo has Panthers purring
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