SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 21: Panthers assistant coach Cameron Ciraldo looks on during the round 11 NRL match between the Sydney Roosters and the Penrith Panthers at Sydney Cricket Ground, on May 21, 2022, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
The NRL coaching carousel is in full swing.
Trent Barrett walked away from his role with the Canterbury Bulldogs before he was pushed, while the New Zealand Warriors gig is now open after Nathan Brown exited the post immediately on Tuesday morning, with Stacey Jones to take over.
It's understood Brown was unwilling to move to New Zealand on a permanent basis, and the club said that was more or less the case when confirming he would no longer serve as coach in their statement.
That was then followed by the news that Michael Maguire had been terminated from his post at the Wests Tigers on Tuesday afternoon in a chaotic day of rugby league news.
With three jobs certain to be available, and more coaches under the pump, prospective coaches are soon to be linked.
Panthers assistant coach Cameron Ciraldo stands atop the list of future first grade coaching prospects. I have no doubt in the world that all three clubs will be on the phone sooner than later.
Ciraldo reportedly turned down a role with the Sharks, stating he'll only move from the Panthers for the right role, as NRL head coach.
With a host of roles to choose from, Ciraldo will end up where he wants. Below we look at the options if Ciraldo did choose to take the next step forward.
The Bullodgs is the first role that is confirmed to be open after Trent Barrett's departure. Curiously Phil Gould has stated that no one has yet applies for the role.
Cameron Ciraldo shapes as the obvious choice to lead the new look club into a new era.
The Bulldogs will welcome superstars Viliame Kikau and Reed Mahoney joining the club in 2023. Add to that Matt Burton, who improves week on week, Josh Addo-Carr and Tevita Pangai Junior, who has confirmed he will see out his contract at Belmore amid previous speculation he could ask for a release, and suddenly the Dogs shape as an attractive option.
I can't see Ciraldo jumping to a job unless he is 100 per cent certain. The Dogs hardly offer certainty given the fact they've run through a host of coaches in modern years.
Gus Gould is a smooth operator and can talk his way into anything. Whether or not he can convince Ciraldo to move across may prove to be his greatest ever accomplishment.
There is a lot to like here in what the Dogs present. They have a brilliant, yet underperforming, roster and a massive fanbase.
Ciraldo's signing would provide an aura of excitement that Trent Barrett never really delivered.
Michael Maguire's time with the Tigers probably should have ended a year ago. With every result comes speculation. I'm taking every! single! result!
That speculation has now come to an end with Maguire let go on Tuesday afternoon, and Cameron Ciraldo is exactly the man to return the Tigers back to relevancy.
The Tigers have a roster that should be performing far better. Ciraldo would bring new ideas and surely improved results.
Would Ciraldo be willing to move from a super successful set up to a side who hasn't played finals footy since the introduction of colour TV? We joke, of course, but it does feel like it has been that long.
Jackson Hastings is a brilliant half, Daine Laurie is supremely talented and Adam Doueihi is set to return soon.
With Apisai Koroisau and Isaiah Papali'i joining the ranks in 2023, there's a real core group there to build around.
Ciraldo would surely need a guaranteed three year deal and full support to make all the decisions before he would consider the role but it's certainly a lot more appealing now than it was.
The Warriors' job has now been vacated, and it seems only a matter of time before Ciraldo is linked to the role.
The Warriors are the NRL's big underachievers. They've not lived up to their expectations for longer than I can remember. Could Ciraldo lead the Warriors to the long sought consistency they crave?
Obviously the move across the Tasman is fast becoming an issue. Matt Lodge and Euan Aitken have already moved on for 2023 with Nathan Brown set to join them.
Ciraldo, as mentioned, will have the pick of roles, and the Warriors one certainly has its positives.
Reece Walsh is a superstar in the making while the Warriors forward pack is massive. Luke Metcalf is on the way while Ronald Volkman's potential is limitless.
For the good of the Warriors I would love to see Ciraldo make the move. He has all the attributes to build something special for a fan base who deserves far better.
The Gold Coast Titans currently sit in 15th spot. In the pre-season that looked impossible. They have a roster capable of a top eight spot, at the very least.
They have not delivered and I cannot believe Justin Holbrook is sitting comfortably. Surely a few more losses will see the wolves start to gather.
This is a club who have lost seven of their last eight.
Ciraldo moving to the Gold Coast would present a very attractive option.
It's pure speculation at this stage but Ciraldo on the holiday coast would be fun.
The other coach under increasing pressure is Knights coach Adam O'Brien.
Ciraldo played 43 times for the Knights so a return to the club would be romantic. That Knights roster is much better than it has been performing.
If results don't turn around, and soon, I expect O'Brien to face severe questions.
Ciraldo's name will surely come up if pressure does continue to mount.
As it stands both the Dogs and Tigers present bright options. That may sound strange considering their current positions on the ladder but the squads are ever improving.
Both have two superstars arriving in 2023 and both have a superstar half option.
My feel is that if Ciraldo were interested in the Dogs he would have applied already. I also feel like any move would be in 2023 and not right away. There's another title there for the taking at the foot of the mountains.
I never thought I'd type these words but the Wests Tigers present a brilliant opportunity moving forward.
If the Dogs are willing to wait until 2023 then the Dogs are the superior option but the Tigers are a close second.