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<\/p>\nCanterbury\u2019s player recruitment and coaching decisions have come under scrutiny following the side\u2019s fourth loss of the season, as questions linger over who is calling the shots.<\/p>\n
The Bulldogs have failed to emulate their impressive Round 5 win over Penrith in recent weeks, with successive losses to Parramatta and an undermanned Broncos pushing the side to 10th on the NRL ladder.<\/p>\n
It has prompted the question: who is running the Bulldogs side \u2014 general manager Phil Gould, or coach Cameron Ciraldo?<\/p>\n
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\u201cGus casts a long shadow over Belmore, do we think Gus is involving himself in team selections, or do you think Cameron is strong enough to say \u2018no, it\u2019s on me\u2019? I\u2019m just asking the question,\u201d Daily Telegraph journalist Dean Ritchie posed on NRL 360 on Monday night.<\/p>\n
Watch every game of every round of the NRL Premiership LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\n Bulldogs defiant despite poor form | 02:35<\/p>\n While the NRL 360 panel agreed Ciraldo had the gumption to make his own selection calls, they questioned Gould\u2019s influence, as well as some of the roster changes and re-signings happening at the Bulldogs under his tenure.<\/p>\n Those include the decision to let go of Reed Mahoney last year, as well as re-sign Connor Tracey and Jaeman Salmon to new deals.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m concerned because they let Reed Mahoney go (last year) to let Bailey Hayward play at hooker. I thought it was the right decision, but now I\u2019m starting to think Bailey Hayward is a better 13 than he is a 9,\u201d the Daily Telegraph\u2019s Brent Read said.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not sure re-signing Connor Tracey was the best decision. They just gave him two more years at $500,000-plus.<\/p>\n \u201cPhil Gould is making the decisions, Cam\u2019s coaching the team. They\u2019re the blokes wearing the responsibility right, that\u2019s how footy works.<\/p>\n \u201cI think Cameron\u2019s making the changes but I think some of the personnel decisions are being made by Phil Gould. Jaeman Salmon\u2019s a great example, from what I\u2019ve heard that was a Phil Gould decision \u2013 he re-signed him for two years on good money. I\u2019d rather Bailey Hayward play lock than Jaeman Salmon, or Kurt Mann.\u201d<\/p>\n NRL 360 host Braith Anasta agreed, saying: \u201cYou can understand why the fans are a little bit pissed. You go \u2018we\u2019re coming first last year, everything\u2019s rosy, you\u2019ve got a winning formula and winning team\u2019. <\/p>\n \u201cBut because they\u2019ve made such big moves and critical calls, backed their decision making and tinkered with the team \u2013 all that \u2013 and here we are and they\u2019re nowhere near where they were a year ago.\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE NRL<\/p>\n CRAWLS: Why NRL is punching itself in the face; moment that could save Storm from disaster<\/a><\/p>\n