The Bulldogs take a VERY different approach to Mad Monday to teach their stars a lesson after the club finished third
- Beers were not on the menu for fighting Bulldogs
- Players learned a lesson in humility
- Comes after a disastrous season and questions about coaching
The Bulldogs dodged the dreaded wooden spoon in the NRL this year, but instead of taking down schooners on Mad Monday, the players have been given a very different spoon to help feed the poor people of Sydney.
While the end of the season is usually a time for tacky dress-ups, excessive drinking and the occasional scandal, Bulldogs boss Phil Gould decided to give his players a lesson in humility instead.
The blowtorch has been applied to the contending Bulldogs, who managed just seven wins and a 15th-place finish, despite the signing of several big names, including Viliame Kikau and Reed Mahoney.
That was compounded by an unidentified player complaining about a wrestling session being handed out as punishment for arriving late to training, while former player Andrew Davey said he left because of coach Cameron Ciraldo’s “cold” methods.
So instead of going to the Belmore Hotel, players were sent to The Rev. Bill Crews Foundation to learn more about the Loaves & Fishes Free Restaurant initiative.
It was another season to forget for the Bulldogs and players were sent to the Rev. Bill Crews Foundation to teach some humility
Former Bulldogs players Josh and Brett Morris are pictured dressed as Marvel superheroes for their Mad Monday celebrations at the time
The Rev. Bill Crews Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to providing support and assistance to individuals and communities in need, particularly those facing homelessness, addiction and poverty.
One of the Foundation’s prominent initiatives is the Loaves & Fishes Free Restaurant, which is an essential resource for people experiencing food insecurity.
This restaurant provides nutritious meals, a warm environment and a sense of community to people who struggle to access regular meals, contributing to the foundation’s mission to bring relief and hope to those in need.
Bulldogs players and staff listen intently as they learn about the work of the Rev. Bill Crews Foundation to help Sydney’s poor and hungry
The Reverend Bill Crews (pictured with Anthony Albanese’s partner Jodie Haydon) is known in Sydney for his ongoing work to help the poor
Players learned how the operation works and were then divided into groups to work in the kitchen, set up the dining area and interact with the local community.
“Yeah we dogs need to start praying,” one fan jokingly posted after seeing the Mad Monday trip on social media.
Other supporters praised the move and hoped it would give the Bulldogs perspective for the 2024 season.
‘This is great to see! Well done doggies! Concentrate and go back to it. Bring on 2024,” someone replied.
Well done Doggies. Giving something back to the community and the people who need it. Big year next year, stay humble and play hard,” said another.
“Reverend Bill has done wonderful work for many years. Great to see the dogs supporting him,” wrote another.
On Christmas Day alone, the foundation fed 4,000 Sydneysiders thanks to the hard work of volunteers (pictured)
Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo will have to do some serious work in the off-season to move the team up the ranks
Coach Cameron Ciraldo, working with Bulldogs supremo Phil Gould, will conduct a thorough review of off-season activities.
Canterbury have secured Penrith duo Stephen Crichton and Jaeman Salmon along with South Sydney’s Blake Taaffe and former Cronulla center Bronson Xerri for 2024 to strengthen the squad.
Their strong roster for next season will see Ciraldo come under scrutiny if there is no dramatic improvement.
The coach would not believe whether a place in the final or a top four next season would be enough.
“I’m just happy to get through today. I’ll think about that tomorrow. I did say we would review everything, but we review everything every day,” Ciraldo said.
“I don’t want to talk about ladders. There are a number of guys coming in who love football and who will be a good addition to our team.’