Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo has backed the club’s decision to turn off social media comments earlier in the week after alleged death threats directed towards players.

The club’s Instagram was flooded with vile comments from angry fans on Tuesday, prompting a decision to disable comments on a post confirming the round five team list.

Canterbury have since opened comments again on their recent posts, but club boss Phil Gould was still asked about the situation on social media.

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“They are not fans,” Gould replied via X.

Speaking to media on Thursday, head coach Ciraldo echoed those same sentiments and said the Bulldogs needed to protect their players.

“We love our fans and we love their passion, but if it crosses the line, we have a duty of care to protect our players,” Ciraldo said.

“I’m really proud of our club that we decided to do something about that and just shut it down. Everyone’s got their right to an opinion, but on our channels, you don’t step over the line … really proud of our club for making that move forward.

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“He [Gould] couldn’t have summed it up any better, so I’ll leave that with him.

“Everyone loves their footy, loves their sport in general – and I don’t think this is a Bulldogs problem, I think it’s a society and game problem as well.

“At some stage, someone somewhere higher up needs to figure out what we want to stand for and I’m glad someone in our club has.”

Cameron Ciraldo speaks to media. Nine

Ciraldo said he would leave it up to individual players if they want to block fans from being able to directly message them on social media.

Canterbury will look to bounce back from a disappointing loss against the Knights last weekend when they face South Sydney in a traditional Good Friday clash.

Young forward Harry Hayes has been ruled out due to injury and will be replaced by debutant Logan Spinks on the Bulldogs’ six-man bench.