Canterbury Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo affirmed he has no regrets with โฃselectionโ choices following โhis team’s 48-4 semi-finalโ loss to the โPenrith Panthers on September 21, 2025. Ciraldo addressed the media post-match, โdefending the inclusion ofโข young players Lachlan โฃGalvin adn Bailey Hayward in the high-stakes contest.
The heavy defeat raisesโ questions aboutโ the Bulldogs’ progression and the impact of integrating developing talent during a crucial playoff run.While acknowledgingโ the Panthers’ dominance, Ciraldo emphasized a commitmentโฃ to providing opportunities for emerging โplayers, even in challenging circumstances. The result sends Penrith through to a preliminaryโ final,while the โคBulldogs’ season concludes.
ciraldo statedโค his team was aware of the Panthers’ capabilities even before โhalftime. “I don’t have to tell them at half-time, they definitely did,” he said, acknowledging theโ Panthers’ championship โpedigree. “They โknow what โขit takes to win big games. Champion team,got some champion playersโฃ in there and they’reโข going toโข be very hard to beat.”
The coach’s post-matchโข comments centered on the Panthers’ strengthโค and โhis team’s learning experience. He warned potential opponents – the Broncos, Storm, and Sharks – that overcoming the Panthersโค in the โcoming weeks will be a meaningful โคchallenge, hinting at a โขpotential five-peat for the reigning premiers.
Earlier reports highlighted Nathan โCleary’s praise for the Panthers’ first-half performance, whileโ Liam โMartin downplayed a physical concern, statingโ he was “alright, just winded” following the match. These insights underscore the Panthers’ confidence and resilienceโ as they advance further intoโ the โคNRL finals series.
