Is Cameron Ciraldo leaving the Bulldogs? Phil Gould responds to Parramatta rumours.
Cameron Ciraldo future at the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs appears uncertain, with multiple reports linking the representative winger with an exit.
The 28-year-old was involved in a controversial incident at the Koori Knockout tournament earlier this month which led to his withdrawal from Mal Meninga’s Australian Kangaroos squad, before it was assumed peace talks with Bulldogs powerbrokers had cleared the air.
Yet earlier this week, reports emerged linking the winger with a move to the Parramatta Eels, with a possible swap deal involving Ryan Matterson touted by News Corp.
MORE: Hynes ready for Kangaroos debut after rollercoaster campaign
Josh Addo-Carr news: Is he leaving the Bulldogs?
The Bulldogs’ head of football Phil Gould has vehemently denied reports that Addo-Carr could depart Belmore.
“I don’t know who started these rumours. I don’t know why they started these rumours. I don’t know why people delve into these rumours, it’s got me beat,” he told 9News on Thursday.
“I don’t know what’s going on with Josh Addo-Carr and why he’s in the papers at the moment.”
Gould also explained the reason behind a recent meeting with Addo-Carr before underlining the winger’s importance at the club.
“Josh had an eventful couple of weeks and we just wanted to make sure that he was okay, make sure he was all settled down,” he said.
“He probably knows that he stepped out of the crease there a little bit [at the Koori Knockout], but people make mistakes, that’s the way it goes.
“As for the other rubbish in the papers, I don’t know where that came from.
“Josh Addo-Carr is a very important part of our club. He is very popular with the members and fans. He has come here for a reason — to help this club rebuild, and we’ll continue to do that.”
Rumours surrounding Addo-Carr surfaced on the same day as young winger Blake Wilson had his contract extended.
If Addo-Carr was to leave the club, it would leave Wilson and Jacob Kiraz as the only wingers at the Bulldogs with NRL experience.
However, a potential swap deal involving Matterson would boost Canterbury’s forward pack, with Luke Thompson, Tevita Pangai Junior and Corey Waddell all departing after Cameron Ciraldo’s difficult rookie campaign in charge.
As for the Eels, they are in the market for strike weapons in their backline.
Coach Brad Arthur has notably been busy in the off-season as he attempts to lead the club back into premiership contention in 2024.
The club has recruited Samoan international Kelma Tuilagi from Manly after the back-rower was granted an early release from his contract, while Morgan Harper also moved from the Sea Eagles to provide more depth.
Josh Addo-Carr contract
Addo-Carr signed a lucrative long-term deal with the Bulldogs after leaving the Storm in 2021 which ties him to the club until the end of the 2025 season.
Therefore, Canterbury would have to agree to release him from the final two years of his contract in order for the winger to join an NRL rival.
The New South Wales representative is just halfway through his four-year deal and has featured 38 times for the Bulldogs in that time, crossing for 27 tries.
