Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo “would like to think” that star second-rower Jacob Preston makes his State of Origin debut in a few weeks’ time after going close last year when he was part of both the NSW and Australian squads.
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Talking about Origin in March is usually a serious crime, but it’s basically April already, which means we have the green light to talk up certain players.
And Preston’s form warrants the early hype given the 24-year-old has started the season on fire and has provided a real punch on the right edge playing outside young halfback Lachlan Galvin.
Jacob Preston (left) was part of last year’s Blues squad. Picture: Matt King/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
His ability to hit a hole and also be a defensive bodyguard makes him the perfect edge forward for halves to play alongside, and his coach wants to see him rewarded when the Origin series kicks off on May 27.
Preston was part of Laurie Daley’s NSW squad last year and also flew to the UK after earning Kangaroos selection for the Ashes.
“I would like to think so,” Ciraldo replied when asked if Preston was on track for an Origin debut.
“We just spoke about the journey (the team has gone through) over the past few years, and ‘Presto’ has probably been the face of that journey.
“He was a rookie a couple of years ago, and all of a sudden he’s 19th man for Origin and went on a Kangaroos tour.
“The most impressive thing is he came back from that Kangaroos tour and took his training to another level, so if he continues with that attitude, then he’s going to be in those sorts of arenas.”
Liam Martin and Angus Crichton have been the dominant back-rowers for several years and have just about been automatic selections for the Blues.
But with expanded benches, Preston could easily find himself in the NSW side this year and follow in the footsteps of Bulldogs heroes Andrew Ryan, Willie Mason and Josh Jackson who starred for the Blues.
“He’s exactly what you want at this club. He works hard, and what you see is what you get,” Bulldogs and Blues prop Max King said.
“He’s great for Lachie to have on that side because he’s someone who can keep an account of all that stuff.
“When we talk about having the Bulldogs DNA and having the privilege to play with Josh Jackson and the likes of that, it’s great to see Presto rewarded for these types of teams.
“He’s got a bright future ahead, and I hope he’s debuting for NSW and Australia and gets compared to the likes of Josh Jackson and Bulldogs greats in the future.”
Preston has all the attributes to be a rep star. Picture: Thomas LissonSource: News Corp Australia
Preston is in his fourth season in the NRL and is starting to impose himself on the game, with the humble young man “coming out of his shell”.
That was perfectly illustrated a few weeks ago when he stuck his tongue out to celebrate a crucial try in his side’s thrilling win over the Raiders.
“He’s come out of his shell a little bit,” Ciraldo said.
“He is very humble and one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet, but he’s developed that hard edge in his game now.
“The way that he trains and the way that he prepares shows that he’s moving towards that elite category of player. We’re really excited that he’s someone we can build our club around.”
TWO MORE CANDIDATES FOR SEA EAGLES GIG
Two more candidates have thrown their names in the ring for the Manly Sea Eagles head coaching role following the sacking of Anthony Seibold.
While Kieran Foran has taken over the head coaching reins on an interim basis, several names have been linked to become the new head coach of the Sea Eagles.
This includes former NRL head coach Brad Arthur, ex-Sea Eagles assistant Michael Ennis, Queensland Maroons assistant coach Matt Ballin, PNG Kumuls head coach Jason Demetriou, Dragons assistant Dean Young, Rabbitohs assistant Ben Hornby and Manly legend Geoff Toovey.
Now, two more names have emerged as potential contenders.
Speaking on 100% Footy, Paul Gallen revealed that former New Zealand Kiwis captain Nathan Cayless has decided to throw his hat in the rinG.
A former Rugby League World Cup winner who racked up 259 NRL appearances for the Parramatta Eels, Cayless has spent the past four seasons as head coach of the Eels reserve-grade squad.
His coaching resume also includes stints with the Sydney Roosters and Wests Tigers as an NRL assistant coach.
Have Manly set up Foran to fail?! | 01:28
“He wants to go for it, he’s going to put his hand up for it. He’s been an assistant coach at Parramatta for a few years and done a fair bit with the Kiwis,” Gallen said.
Meanwhile, Code Sports’ Brent Read reported on NRL 360 that former Sea Eagles hooker Chad Randall is another name that has emerged for the head coaching role in 2027.
The son of Sea Eagles icon Terry Randall, Chris featured in 53 matches for the club between 2003 and 2005 and is currently serving as an assistant coach at the Bulldogs under Cameron Ciraldo.
Before this, he served as an assistant coach and as the Under-19s SG Ball Cup head coach for the Sea Eagles.
Chad Randall is another ‘Old Boy’ of the Manly Sea Eagles.Source: AAP
This comes as Billy Slater has thrown his support behind Queensland Maroons assistant Ballin, who has emerged as a frontrunner for the position alongside Ennis.
“He’s been at a number of different NRL teams, he’s seen different ways to coach and different ways to manage a group of men,” Slater said about Ballin on Nine’s Footy Show.
“And the State of Origin team for that matter, you’re working with the best players.
“And you get a great understanding about bringing guys together in a short period of time. The thing about Matt Ballin is he’s got a great passion for the game and a great want to be an NRL head coach. So I think he will certainly be in the mix.”