Canterbury Bulldogs head coach Cameron Ciraldo has backed the club's decision to turn off social media comments on the club's team announcement for Round 5 earlier this week.
Ciraldo and his playing group have come under an increasing amount of scrutiny over the opening weeks of the season with their attack failing to fire.
The blue and white have scored just 45 points in 3 games, continuing a trend which began its rise during the second half of 2025 following dramatic changes to the spine.
Ciraldo's refusal to change that underperforming spine, despite seeing a marked increase in attack with on-field changes during the second half last week has led to some fans calling for change, and others taking steps well and truly over the line, with a number of threats made against players and staff.
Asked about it on social media during the week, Bulldogs director of football Phil Gould said the people making the comments "weren't fans", and Ciraldo backed that view up when talking on Thursday ahead of the Good Friday clash with the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
“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 told the media.
“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. So really proud of our club for making that move forward.
“I think Gus's tweet there, he 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.”
Ciraldo has hinted more changes during games are likely moving forward, with Stephen Crichton excelling when he was moved closer to the football last weekend against the Newcastle Knights.
Canterbury, who suffered their first loss of the season in the game against Newcastle after recording wins over the St George Illawarra Dragons in Las Vegas to open the season and the Canberra Raiders in the nation's capital during Round 3, are widely expected to be in the premiership fight this year.
