Cameron Ciraldo pulled a shock on Tuesday when he named his Bulldogs side with Matt Burton taking over at halfback for their clash with Cronulla in Round 8.
The move immediately raised eyebrows with many questioning whether Kyle Flanagan’s time in first grade was coming to an end with highly regarded prospect Karl Oloapu nipping at his heels.
Why is Matt Burton wearing the No.7 jersey?
"We want Matt to step up and take ownership of the team," the Canterbury coach said when explaining the switch of positions within his halves.
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"I feel like he is ready for that. A while back he probably wasn't ready for that. But he has really grown into the leadership role, he is one of our on-field captains.
"The change of jersey is a little bit symbolic as well with where we can go with our footy."
Burton’s shift to halfback means yet more responsibility has been placed upon his shoulders to start producing points for a side which has averaged just 15 per game so far this season.
"It's what the team needs right now from Matt. He has also matured over the past two years from when I last saw him at Penrith," Ciraldo said.
The two worked together at the Panthers for two years in first grade before Burton left for Belmore in 2022.
Coming up through the juniors, the Dubbo product was always viewed as a five-eighth before he got his chance at the foot of the mountains playing at left centre.
"He is a lot more mature, a lot more comfortable in his own skin,” Ciraldo continued.
"He is ready to take the next step in terms of leadership on the field and owning parts of the game plan.
"Matt's a pretty quiet guy, but he also has the presence around the group that when he says something the boys listen and really believe in what he is doing.
"At the end of that Cowboys game, he just owned the back end of it. We think that by giving Matt more ownership of the team, we can bring that out of him more often."
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Matt Burton contract, stats
In January, Burton re-committed to the Dogs by signing a five-year deal which will tie him to the club until at least the end of 2027.
The 23-year-old has already experienced plenty of highs during his burgeoning career after winning a premiership with Penrith and making his debut for both NSW and Australia.
"I’m grateful to be a part of this club," Burton said upon signing his new deal.
"We’ve got the new coach in now and I’m really excited to work with him again. He’s a great coach and I’m looking forward to taking my game to the next level with his guidance.
"We’ve got new players in and from my teammates, all the staff, our members and fans, I couldn’t picture myself anywhere else.
"The club is on the up and I’m keen to be a part of this next chapter for the Bulldogs."
However, the Dogs have struggled amidst a mounting injury crisis that has made Ciraldo implement a change in the halves.
Burton has posted three tries and two assists in his seven appearances in 2023 but has often been on the periphery of games.
"We thought we’d tinker with it a little bit because we’ve been a bit clunky the past few weeks," Ciraldo said.
"It allows Kyle to focus on a few simple things in his game, and we’re excited about what that can do."
Kyle Flanagan contract
Flanagan has endured a rough few years after being released by the Roosters just one year into his deal, before struggling to fully establish himself at the Bulldogs.
The halfback has often bore the brunt of criticism out on the field for Canterbury's struggles in attack.
It was previously hoped that former coach Trent Barrett, who was often credited with sparking Penrith’s attack in 2020, could get the best out of him.
Although Flanagan was repeatedly axed and then recalled to the side.
Eventually, he earned a permanent spot in the halves last year under interim coach Mick Potter.
Yet with his initial three-year contract due to expire at the end of the season, Flanagan could find himself at the crossroads in his career.
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"Looking back now - and they probably won’t admit it - but it’s probably been a mistake to sign him for three years," Laurie Daley told Sky Sports Radio’s Big Sports Breakfast two years ago.
"The Roosters, the Melbourne Storm - if they allow a player to walk sometimes you’ve got to question why they are releasing them? Why haven’t they stuck with that player?
"All I’m saying is, the Roosters had some concerns with him defensively, whether he could handle it or not.
"The Bulldogs signed him, and they said he was going to be given the keys to the team, but it hasn’t worked out there."
Will Karl Oloapu partner Matt Burton in the halves?
This year, Canterbury lured Oloapu from Brisbane and the 18-year-old playmaker has impressed in NSW Cup during the side’s rise to the top of the ladder.
In his seven appearances in reserve grade, he has scored two tries and provided four assists, while averaging 90 running metres and tackling at an 85 per cent efficiency.
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"Karl is doing a really nice job in NSW Cup," Ciraldo said.
"He’s playing in the halves down there, but Karl is really versatile and can play in any position.
"We’re a bit short of middles and forwards at the moment, and we did contemplate putting him on the bench in the past few weeks in one of those roles because he is so versatile and a really tough kid.
"I’m sure he’ll get his opportunity somewhere soon."
