Panthers coach set to trigger four-club bidding war as get-out clause revealed

The Bulldogs have emerged as favourites to land in-demand Panthers assist Cameron Ciraldo as a race for his signature emerges.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 11: Panters coach Cameron Ciraldo speaks to media after the round 22 NRL match between the Gold Coast Titans and the Penrith Panthers at Cbus Super Stadium on August 11, 2018 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

The Bulldogs have emerged as favourites to land in-demand Panthers assist Cameron Ciraldo as the race for his signature firms.

According to The Daily Telegraph’s Brent Read, the Bulldogs are the team most likely to land Ciraldo’s prized services. But in what would amount to an all-out bidding war, head coaching roles at the Titans, Knights and Eels could also be available.

Ciraldo is reportedly nearing putting pen to paper at a contract extension at the Panthers, but his deal will reportedly have a clause which allows him to take up a lucrative offer elsewhere if he signs before November 1.

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Interested clubs now have a three-month window to secure his services. Should he commit to Penrith for next season it is understood he won’t walk out on the Panthers.

Despite the potential for other clubs to join the race, Bulldogs supremo Phil Gould is confident he will land his top target.

Gould has remained eerily silent through the club’s turbulent period, even keeping the majority of the Canterbury-Bankstown board out of negotiations.

Chairman John Khoury and chief executive Aaron Warbuton are the only two board members said to have knowledge of the coaching situation.

According to The Daily Telegraph, there is also still a view Ciraldo may put off a move until the 2024 season, meaning interim coach Mick Potter will likely hold the fort for another season.

Reports have also suggested Titans coach Justin Holbrook could potentially be facing the axe, with former Cowboys boss Paul Green in line to take over.

Meanwhile, the Knights performances under Adam O’Brien have been poor and Newcastle powerbrokers could look elsewhere to return the club to finals football.

Originally published as Panthers coach set to trigger four-club bidding war as get-out clause revealed