### NRL 2025: Cameron Ciraldo Defends Bulldogs’ Second Half Against Eels – Press Conference Coverage
In what has been a season of ups and downs for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, one of the most poignant moments came after their narrow defeat to the Parramatta Eels in Round 5 of the 2025 NRL season. Despite a solid first half, the Bulldogs were unable to maintain their momentum, falling short in the second half, leading to a 22-18 loss. The result was disappointing, but the post-match press conference provided a glimpse into the mindset of Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo and how he viewed the game in its entirety.
Cameron Ciraldo, now in his second year as head coach of the Bulldogs, has made it clear that his mission is to bring sustained success to the club, and part of that vision involves building a team capable of competing over 80 minutes. While Ciraldo’s defensive structures have started to show results, the Bulldogs still struggle with consistency, particularly in closing out games. Their match against the Eels showcased the same pattern of highs and lows, a trend that has plagued the club for some time. However, Ciraldo’s words in the press conference after the match spoke volumes about his perspective on the team’s development, their resilience, and their capacity to improve moving forward.
The game against the Eels was a microcosm of the Bulldogs’ 2025 season: moments of brilliance juxtaposed with lapses in concentration. After a promising first half that saw the Bulldogs take a 12-6 lead into the break, they conceded 16 unanswered points in the second half, eventually succumbing to a close defeat. Despite the loss, Ciraldo maintained a sense of perspective, offering constructive analysis rather than lamenting what could have been. Let’s take a closer look at the key moments from the press conference, the coach’s insights, and what this loss means for the Bulldogs moving forward.
#### **A Solid First Half, But Inconsistency Costs the Bulldogs**
As the press conference began, Ciraldo wasted no time in acknowledging the promising elements of his team’s performance in the first half. The Bulldogs were playing with energy and structure, particularly in defense. They were organized, their forwards were making strong meters, and the halves, led by Jake Averillo and Matt Burton, seemed to have found a rhythm in attack. The Bulldogs were 12-6 up at halftime, and there was a palpable sense of optimism that they could continue their momentum into the second half and secure the win.
“I thought we came out in that first half with the right attitude,” Ciraldo said. “We stuck to our systems, and we were very disciplined defensively. We earned the right to play some footy and scored two good tries. The players are showing that when we are patient and play to our structures, we can compete with anyone.”
However, Ciraldo was also quick to point out that while the Bulldogs showed promise in the opening 40 minutes, they had not put the game beyond doubt. “We knew the Eels would come out firing in the second half, and we just weren’t able to match their intensity when they lifted the tempo,” Ciraldo continued. “This is a learning process for us. We’ve shown we can be competitive, but we need to find a way to keep that intensity up for the full 80 minutes.”
In the first half, the Bulldogs’ defense was rock-solid. They repelled numerous attacking sets from the Eels, keeping them to just one try. The forwards, led by the likes of Viliame Kikau and Tevita Pangai Jr., stood strong in the middle of the field, making life difficult for Parramatta’s big men. The Bulldogs’ defensive line looked well-drilled, and the Eels, while dangerous in attack, were often forced to settle for low-yield attacking plays. The Bulldogs were successful in closing down Parramatta’s key playmakers, particularly Mitchell Moses and Dylan Brown, who were not able to create the kind of chaos they typically would against lesser defenses.
But as the game progressed, the Bulldogs’ ability to hold that defensive line and execute under pressure began to slip. Ciraldo pointed out the factors that contributed to their inability to maintain their first-half performance.
#### **Second Half Collapse: Fatigue, Discipline, and Missed Opportunities**
The second half was a different story. The Bulldogs came out flat, and despite a couple of promising attacking sets, they struggled to regain the level of control they had in the first 40 minutes. The Eels, with their potent attacking options, took full advantage, scoring two tries to gain a commanding 22-12 lead. The Bulldogs fought back late, scoring a try through Burton, but ultimately fell short.
“We lost some of our discipline in the second half,” Ciraldo acknowledged. “Our completion rates dropped, and we allowed the Eels to gain momentum. We’ve got to be better at not giving teams easy opportunities to get back into the game. It’s a learning curve, but one that we need to improve on quickly.”
One of the key factors Ciraldo mentioned was fatigue. The Eels, known for their high-paced attacking play, ramped up their pressure in the second half, and the Bulldogs’ defense, which had been solid in the first half, started to show signs of wear. Missed tackles, poor decision-making in defense, and an inability to exit their own half cleanly all contributed to Parramatta’s second-half dominance.
“We need to be more resilient in tough moments,” Ciraldo said. “It’s one thing to go into the sheds leading at halftime, but it’s another thing entirely to come out and keep the pressure on for the second 40. We’ve got to be able to play at that high level throughout the entire game.”
While the Bulldogs were still within striking distance late in the game, they failed to fully capitalize on the opportunities that came their way. Ciraldo pointed to a couple of key moments where the Bulldogs could have swung the momentum in their favor, but they failed to execute when it mattered most. “There were opportunities late where we needed to execute better. We’re not far off, but in games like this, you need to be clinical when the chance arises,” Ciraldo said. “The difference between winning and losing is small margins, and we weren’t quite sharp enough.”
#### **Burton’s Leadership and the Bulldogs’ Emerging Talent**
Despite the loss, there were bright spots for the Bulldogs, particularly in the form of Matt Burton. The halfback was one of the best performers on the field, kicking well and showing great leadership in attack. He was involved in both of the Bulldogs’ tries, including a well-timed cut-out pass that set up Jake Averillo for a try in the first half, and his determined run in the second half earned the Bulldogs their late try.
Ciraldo was quick to praise Burton’s leadership, especially in moments when the team needed to settle the game down. “Matt’s been one of our standout players this season. He’s leading from the front, and when the game’s in the balance, he’s always trying to create something. His experience is invaluable, and it’s something we can all learn from.”
Burton’s ability to lead the team with composure under pressure was especially notable considering the Bulldogs’ inexperience in certain areas. The squad has a blend of veterans and emerging stars, but the collective experience at NRL level remains a work in progress. Players like Jake Averillo and debutant Jacob Kiraz, although showing promise, still need to develop consistency and maturity.
“I’m really pleased with the young guys, and we’ve seen glimpses of what they can do,” Ciraldo explained. “But to consistently perform at this level, they need to keep growing and learning from these experiences. It’s tough, but it’s part of the process.”
The Bulldogs also saw promising contributions from their forward pack, led by Kikau and Pangai Jr., but Ciraldo acknowledged that the team’s ability to control the ruck and make those hard yards in the middle of the field will need improvement. “Our forwards are doing a lot of good things, but we’ve got to find that extra bit of go-forward, particularly when we’re trying to build pressure on the opposition,” he said.
#### **Looking Forward: Growth and Building Momentum**
Despite the loss, Ciraldo maintained an optimistic outlook for the Bulldogs’ future. He emphasized that the loss to the Eels should not overshadow the overall trajectory of the team, which continues to improve, albeit with growing pains. “This is a tough competition, and we’re not going to turn things around overnight. But we’re seeing progress,” Ciraldo said. “We’re building a culture here, and I believe in the direction we’re headed. It’s not easy, and there are going to be setbacks, but we have the right attitude, and we’ll learn from every experience.”
Ciraldo’s philosophy of gradual development is key to the Bulldogs’ long-term strategy. With a mix of veteran leadership and emerging talent, the Bulldogs are not far off from being a competitive force in the NRL. Their inconsistency, while frustrating, is part of a natural learning curve. As the team matures and their systems continue to gel, Ciraldo believes they will begin to close the gap on the top sides in the competition.
“The players are working hard, and the effort is there. It’s just about being more clinical and maintaining the right mindset over the course of 80 minutes,” Ciraldo said, acknowledging the hurdles his team faces. “We’re not perfect, but we’re going in the right direction. It’s about keeping that belief and continuing to build from here.”
#### **Conclusion: A Stepping Stone for the Bulldogs**
While the Bulldogs’ loss to the Eels was a bitter pill to swallow, the press conference highlighted the underlying optimism and determination of Cameron Ciraldo. The coach remains steadfast in his belief that his team is on the right path, and while the losses may sting, they are part of the natural progression toward sustained success. The game against the Eels, with its highs and lows, was yet another learning experience in a season filled with potential.
For Ciraldo, the focus will be on maintaining the standards he has set, fine-tuning the areas where his team fell short, and building on the positive aspects of their performance. The road ahead may be challenging, but with Ciraldo at the helm, the Bulldogs’ future remains bright, and their fight for a place in the upper echelons of the NRL continues.
