Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo’s decision to shift star centre Stephen Crichton into the five-eighth position played a pivotal role in the team’s narrow golden-point victory over Manly Sea Eagles on Saturday at Accor Stadium. The move, which was kept under wraps during a two-week training period following the NRL bye, helped revitalize the Bulldogs’ attack and could be a turning point in their season.

Crichton, who has been a consistent performer in the centres since joining Canterbury, took on the playmaking duties with immediate effect. He secured the win by slotting the match-winning field goal in extra time, continuing a pattern of delivering in clutch moments that includes previous successful kicks in a World Cup semi-final and a recent NRL match in Las Vegas. His composure under pressure was crucial after both he and Manly’s Jamal Fogarty missed earlier chances to seal the game in regular time.

Ciraldo explained that the positional switch had been contemplated for some time as an option to address the Bulldogs’ struggles in the halves and to help Matt Burton, who moved to the left edge. “It’s always been an option,” Ciraldo said. “Having the bye last week gave us a really good opportunity to sit back and chat about how the first half of the season has gone and how individuals have gone.”

The coaching staff aimed to ease burden on Burton, allowing him to find consistency by playing him in a role that reduced his responsibility. Ciraldo praised Burton’s training and performance in the new position, noting that the adjustment has seemed to rekindle his enjoyment of the game. Meanwhile, Bronson Xerri was dropped to the bench, a move Ciraldo said was part of a broader strategy rather than a response to the off-field speculation regarding the centre’s future with the club.

Despite the Bulldogs’ attack not yet reaching its full potential against the Sea Eagles, the team has won three of its last four matches, positioning themselves within finals contention after a difficult start to the year. Ciraldo declined to reveal further team changes ahead of their next game against the Gold Coast Titans, with team lists to be announced closer to kickoff.

Crichton’s recent performance is particularly notable given his recent withdrawal from the New South Wales State of Origin squad due to a lingering shoulder injury. Although physical contact training has been limited for him, Crichton has maintained full participation in other training activities and credited Ciraldo for simplifying the game plan to facilitate his transition into the halves.

“I feel like coach really made it simple for me with simple plays done really well, not trying to overplay it,” Crichton said. He admitted to some small errors during the match but emphasized the importance of securing the win and taking lessons forward.

Overall, the Bulldogs’ strategic adjustment appears to have reinvigorated the squad’s attack and provided a pathway to improve consistency in the closing stages of the NRL season.