The Canterbury Bulldogs believe that securing the services of Cameron Ciraldo will bring them one step closer to securing the โ€˜next pieceโ€™ of their premiership puzzle.

Major sponsor Craig Laundy, who played a role in the club signing the current Panthers assistant coach, told SEN that Matt Burtonโ€™s strong history with Ciraldo will assist the Bulldogsโ€™ efforts to lock down the star five-eighth at Belmore long-term.

โ€œObviously Matt has a strong history with Cam,โ€ Laundy told SEN Mornings.

โ€œMatt is a superstar. We knew he was, thatโ€™s why we were so keen to sign him.โ€

โ€œMyself and Dad (Arthur Laundy) went out and sat with his mum in Dubbo and explained our role in looking after players off the field.โ€

Burton is off contract at the end of 2023, meaning he is free to talk to clubs from November 1. Itโ€™s believed he was waiting for the Bulldogs to make a decision on the head coaching role before deciding his future at Belmore.

โ€œ(Re-signing) is the next piece,โ€ Laundy said.

โ€œThe coaching piece of the puzzle is done now.โ€

โ€œGus (Gould) and Cam will talk to Matt, and Iโ€™d be very confident that they can work something out.โ€

Burton has gone from strength to strength in 2022, making his State of Origin debut for New South Wales and developing a reputation as one of the gameโ€™s most fearsome open-play kickers. His unmatched ability to send up towering bombs even drew suggestions he should try his hand in the NFL.