Bulldogs skipper was told to look for another job. But now he’s back, and all is forgiven
Canterbury’s 2023 club captain Raymond Faitala-Mariner is back at Belmore following crisis talks with general manager Phil Gould after having previously been told not to report to pre-season training.
Faitala-Mariner, who fell out of favour at the club and was given permission to negotiate with rivals, on Wednesday described the episode as a “miscommunication”. He now plans to see out the final two years of his contract.
“There was a bit of miscommunication,” he said. “Obviously, the club wanted to know if I was fit mentally to come back to training.
“I had that meeting on the weekend, on Saturday, just to clarify things and just reassure I am ready, that I am committed. I was going through a few things off-field, and I needed to sort things out, and I’m glad everything is sorted.”
The 30-year-old back-rower has endured a whirlwind year. After being appointed club captain, he played 14 NRL matches before the furore over his future erupted. He now says all is well between him and the Bulldogs.
The job he and his teammates now face the task of climbing out of the hole that has seen them finish last, 12th and 15th over the past three seasons
“I’ve got two more years here left on my contract, and I don’t see myself leaving anytime soon,” he said. “As long as I’m wearing the blue and white colours then I’m going to put my best foot forward … I want to play footy, and I do want to see this club successful.”
Faitala-Mariner said the club’s poor 2023 season was unacceptable and they didn’t have to look far for motivation.
The Panthers’ comeback in this year’s grand final was the perfect example of a team that always stays in the game, he said, and the Bulldogs need to replicate that culture.
“That’s the culture that Ciro [ coach Cameron Ciraldo] is trying to drive at our club,” he said. “Everyone is buying into it – hopefully we can end up like that, where it doesn’t become a losing culture and then [in] those dying minutes of the game that we are able to stay in the game and back ourselves.
“Having good signings like Stephen Crichton [ from the Panthers] and Kurt Mann [Knights], Josh Curran [Warriors], who have come from successful clubs, I think it’s important to have that at our club.
“You can already see their professionalism and the standard that they hold themselves to, and I think it does play a part but, most importantly, the main thing is that we all need to be a tight group.”
Canterbury have bolstered their roster for 2024 with the additions of Connor Tracey, Blake Taaffe, Jake Turpin, Jaeman Salmon and Drew Hutchison, along with Crichton, Curran and Mann.
And Faitala-Mariner said fans can expect to see an entirely different team in the new year.
“I think you will see a different Bulldogs next year, in terms of togetherness and connection because from what I’m seeing right now in the pre-season, everyone is buying into it,” he said.
