When Penrith lost just eight games across the 2020, 2021 and 2022 seasons (they were that good) with Ciraldo commanding their defence, Parramatta pinched three of those wins.
Two more games they lost by the barest of margins – one and two-point defeats.
The Eels โoffload to change of angleโ game plan and Mitchell Mosesโ booming boot unsettled Ciraldoโs defence more than any other tactic, even if Parramatta were duly poleaxed in the 2022 grand final.
A gluttonโs 56 per cent share of possession against Manly saw the Bulldogs throw 21 offloads and 320 passes on Sunday afternoon, skewing their recent numbers along with the involvement of Burton and Galvin.
Between them, Canterburyโs halves handled the ball 139 times – most top halves touch the ball 50โ60 times a game – and skinned the Sea Eagles as they did so.
The Bulldogsโ short passing, fast-moving attack went into overdrive when running downhill against Manly. Just as it did a month earlier when pushing uphill against Ciraldoโs old side, in an 8-6 loss to Penrith that was the best game of 2025, State of Origins included.
Lachlan Galvin is showing promise at the Bulldogs scrumbase.Credit: Getty Images
Against the Panthers and the defensive system that Ciraldo piloted, Canterbury threw 297 passes and 17 offloads. Game management in the final few clutch moments, as much as anything, proved the difference.
โOffload to change of angleโ is as good a way as any to stretch an elite defence, and Ciraldo has regularly pointed to honing Canterburyโs attack with the finals in mind – where elite defence reigns.
To put the Bulldogsโ ball movement in context, the NRL average is 247 passes and 9.4 offloads per game.
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As the Bulldogsโ offloads went to hand and Manlyโs defence was dragged this way and that, Canterbury unfurled an attack that could beat any NRL opposition.
For the past 18 months, you could say that about their defence. This was the first time youโd dream that way with the ball in blue and white hands, though the true test will come with time. Manlyโs unreliable form makes them an unreliable barometer.
After Galvinโs own personal grudge match against the Tigers, sterner defences await in the Warriors, Roosters (though they too possess Manlyโs inconsistency) and the Storm.
Then comes Penrith in round 26, finishing fast with a last-to-fifth-straight title fairytale just waiting to be told, with the defensive system Ciraldo holds so dear.
By that point, we might see how close he has come to cracking it.
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Michael Chammas and Andrew โJoeyโ Johns dissect the upcoming NRL round, plus the latest footy news, results and analysis. Sign up for the Sin Bin newsletter
