Bulldogs young gun Jacob Kiraz has revealed how coach Cameron Ciraldo and football boss Phil Gould’s support during his brother’s leukaemia fight played a role in him re-signing with the Club.
Kiraz penned a long-term extension to remain with the Bulldogs this week, with the new deal seeing him locked in to the club through the 2027 season.
The 21-year-old scored six tries in 19 appearances this season, but had to endure through some family heartache when his brother Joseph was diagnosed with leukaemia.
Kiraz opened up on how Ciraldo and Gould helped support he and his family during that time.
“I was in shock and I remember I came to training the first day after it happened because I didn’t know what to do,” he told 9News Sydney.
“Out of nowhere I broke down and then Ciro (Ciraldo) came and I told him what happened and he said, ‘Go home. I want you to hang out with your brother. Family is always No.1’.
“I had Ciro and Gus come to my house and seeing if I’m all good, having a coffee and just checking up on me. They sent flowers to my family to just make sure my mum and dad and all my siblings were alright.
“They didn’t rush me coming back to training, they just said, ‘Come here when you’re ready’.”
Kiraz admitted Gould and Ciraldo’s support played a major role when it came to deciding whether to stay with the Bulldogs or go elsewhere.
“You don’t forget that stuff,” he said.
“Once the club did that for me and my family, that’s the least I could do, stay with them, so I’m happy.”
Kiraz, a Lebanon international, made his debut for the Bulldogs in 2022, and has scored 12 tries in 34 first-grade appearances for the club.
