'We need some energy': Cameron Ciraldo's passionate plea to Bulldogs fans after smashing
Following a crushing 38-16 loss to the Cronulla Sharks during Magic Round in Brisbane, Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo called on the Canterbury faithful to help pull his side out of their slump.
Despite a "disappointing" opening half that saw them leak 30 points, Ciraldo remains adamant his team's preparation and effort will bridge the gap between the stats and the scoreboard.
The Bulldogs struggled to find their footing early, folding against a clinical Sharks outfit that dominated possession, and while the second half showed improvement, the damage had already been done.
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Cameron Ciraldo in the post-game press conference. NRL
"Really disappointed in the first half ... Looked more like we wanted to look in the second half but can't give up 30 points in the first half and expect to make a game of it," Ciraldo conceded in the post-game press conference.
"We've had a lot of travel. We've gone to Vegas, Canberra, Brisbane three times in the last four weeks.
"Again, that is no excuse, but we're pretty keen to get back home next week and play in front of our home fans, and I think the boys have given our fans a lot to cheer about over the last two years.
"We need some energy from our fans next week at Accor Stadium on Friday night ... but it'd be great to get a big crowd there and support the boys and give them some energy next Friday night."
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Cameron Ciraldo couldn't believe his eyes at his team's lack of defence. Fox
The Bulldogs made multiple errors throughout the game that completely shut off their ability to make momentum across the field.
But the Dogs coach stood behind his players, arguing the stats showed a different story to the game played.
"Very disappointing. It's hard because there was a lot we were doing right in the first half and it sounds silly when you've let in 30 points, but run metres, line breaks, tackle breaks, we won," Ciraldo said.
"It was just way off where it needed to be that gave the Sharks possession and field position ... Made it really hard for ourselves.
Matt Burton. Getty
"It's hard to explain it. They're very ugly moments, but I think the possession was like 65/35 against us at that time, and if I wanted to make an excuse maybe it was fatigue, but that's just bullshit anyway so we need to do better."
He argued the players' preparation was setting them up for success down the line and they just needed an opportunity to show that.
"Well I see the way they're preparing, I see how much they care.
"I've been in these situations before when you see the opposite and you know what you're in for, but I know what these guys are doing behind the scenes.
"There's a bit of adversity they've had to face to start the season, but they're going to come out the other side because of how much they care and how hard they're working.
"We're very good for long periods defensively and then we take a moment off or we have an individual take a moment off and it's hurting us, and possibly down a little bit on confidence and things like that.
"There's one way to get confidence and that's just to keep working hard and competing as hard as you can when you're out there."
The Bulldogs sit in must-win territory and are desperate to reward their supporters with a performance that matches the effort Ciraldo sees.
They go up against the Melbourne Storm next Friday night.
