Club legend Sonny Bill Williams returns to inspire Bulldogs young guns

Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo has faith in his youngsters after a club legend returned to inspire the squad for round 1.

Paul Alamoti got to chat with Sonny Bill Williams this week about what to expect when he makes his NRL debut.

Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo found out just how quickly things can get out in rugby league after it emerged Sonny Bill Williams had returned to the club this week to inspire a couple of rookies before they debut against Manly.

Williams had one of the all-time great debuts in the opening round of the 2004 season, which culminated in grand final success, and he returned to Belmore this week to chat with exciting rookie Paul Alamoti about playing centre as well as Jake Preston who will come off the bench.

It continues the theme of bringing back the Bulldogs DNA, with other legends like Willie Mason, Andrew Ryan and Mark O’Meley regulars at training, although this was one visit that Ciraldo had hoped to keep secret.

Sonny Bill Williams destroyed the Eels on debut, which is why the Bulldogs brought him in to speak with some of the club’s rookies ahead of round 1. Picture: Mark Evans

“We just brought him in behind closed doors, I didn't know it got out that quickly,” he said.

“Just bringing Sonny in, we wanted him to talk to Paul and Jake Preston before their debuts. Sonny burst onto the scene in round 1 and played in the centres on that day.

“We wanted to talk to him about his experiences. He came in and talked about a range of things. It was really good to have Sonny back in the club and just for our guys to be able to learn from him and ask questions, it was really beneficial.”

Bulldogs fans probably want to see Williams and a few of the old dogs of war run out onto 4 Pines Park on Saturday afternoon given the club is going through a middle forward crisis to start the year.

Tevita Pangai Junior, Chris Patolo and Sam Hughes are all out injured, with the club’s forward stocks taking a major hit on Tuesday when Englishman Luke Thompson went down with a foot injury that will sideline him for months.

Luke Thompson is set for surgery and won’t return until later in the season after injuring his foot at training. Picture: Supplied

“It didn’t look good for Thommo when he came off the field. He’s going in for surgery today, so we’re hopeful we’ll see him at the back-end of the season,” Ciraldo said, with the Bulldogs also missing key forwards Paul Vaughan and Josh Jackson from last year’s squad.

“He was running through some pads and his foot just got twisted unusually. It was a freak accident. It’s good news that we’ll get him back this season which we weren’t expecting when it first happened.”

It means the club had to ask for special dispensation to bring Jayden Tanner onto the bench, with the unheralded forward set to make his debut from outside the squad’s top 30.

It’s not the ideal scenario for Ciraldo in his first game in charge against a Sea Eagles side that won the pre-season challenge, but he’s confident his young guys can get the job done.

Max King has emerged as the new leader of the pack with Canterbury missing so many experienced forwards. Picture; Ashley Feder/Getty Images

“We talk about opportunity, and Jayden Tanner has trained the house down all season,” Ciraldo said.

“I’ve worked with him previously at Penrith as well. He’s a great kid who works hard, so he gets his opportunity. What he’s shown us during the off-season is that he’s ready to go.

“We’re pretty sure that when guys are sitting next to him in the dressing room that they’ll feel safe next to Jayden. He’s a lovely kid who’s quiet and assuming. He just works hard and he’s the sort of guy that you love to play with.

“I’m not worried about inexperience on the bench. They’re in the team for a reason because they’re ready to fulfil those roles. We won’t be extending anyone’s minutes to be protecting anyone.”

Originally published as Club legend Sonny Bill Williams returns to inspire Bulldogs young guns