Coach reacts on ‘disrespectful’ offer to Dogs star
George Clarke |
Canterbury coach Cameron Ciraldo has taken a thinly-veiled dig at Jacob Preston’s management for playing out contract negotiations in the media.
A week after he declared he was confident Preston, who enters the final 12 months of his deal on November 1, would remain at Belmore, Ciraldo was again forced to address rumours of discontent.
The lead-up to Saturday’s clash with St George Illawarra at Allianz Stadium has been dominated by suggestions Preston, 24, was privately upset that the Bulldogs only tabled a $1.9 million deal across 2028.
The offer for the back-rower, who has yet to play State of Origin, earn Test caps or even win a finals game at the Bulldogs, was described as “disrespectful” by former Canterbury favourite Reni Maitua on radio station Triple M.
“We have a really good relationship and we talk every day and the words you used are the furthest thing from the way he’s talking and behaving with us,” Ciraldo said, when Maitua’s comments were put to him.
“As you guys have said, our season has been on the line the last couple of weeks and it has been quite disappointing that those things have come out through the media in those times.
“We just love Jacob as a person I trust in him and we’ll get there in the end.
“Some of the stuff that you’re telling me is the first I’ve heard of it, it’d be better dealt with internally than externally.”
Ciraldo also hosed down a News Corp report that said prop Jack Underhill was looking for a release.
The front-rower, who has only played seven NRL games, is stuck behind Max King and Leo Thompson in the pecking order at Canterbury.
“He hasn’t personally come to me and asked for that so that’s not true.
“But again, with our season on the line, it’s disappointing that something like that has been leaked to the media.”
Canterbury’s finals hopes hang by a thread and they must win at least two of their last three games – St George Illawarra, Penrith and Brisbane – to remain a chance of the top-eight.
“What I’ll say about the Dragons is they’re probably one of the most confident teams in the competition now,” Ciraldo said.
“They’ve had a couple of results and are playing really well and have a lot of belief in themselves.”
AAP