Wests Tigers NRLW hopeful Harmony Crichton bred tough by NRL brother Stephen and siblings
Harmony Crichton has always been able to see what she could be just by looking round the family dinner table. Now she’s hoping to put her special toughness to the test in the NRLW.
NSW
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It’s an unexpected dream for the daughter of a preacher but Harmony Crichton has know for years she wants to be just like her brother and new Canterbury Bulldogs captain Stephen and ripping it up in the elite ranks of rugby league.
It’s a goal she is looking to be achieve with the Wests Tigers with the rising star tipped for an NRLW debut with the club this coming season.
And while her mum wanted her to play netball rather than footy, Crichton, 19, said there was little hope of that with five brothers she wanted to “be like’’ growing up along with an extremely competitive nature.
“I always played netball but transitioned over to league when I was 13. Mum hated me playing league but I loved it straight away,’’ said Crichton, who grew up in Rooty Hill and now lives at Tregear near Mt Druitt with her family.
“I just always wanted to be part of what my brothers were doing, be like them. I am the only girl in six and I didn’t want to miss out.
“They treated me like one of the boy, it was always tough, but it meant I wasn’t scared getting into footy later.
“I was really competitive. We liked to bash each other and I always won.’’
Crichton, who has developed through the Wests Tigers women’s pathway, playing in the Tarsha Gale and Harvey Norman comps, said she has always modelled her game on brother Stephen, the former Penrith Panthers player now the second youngest captain in the NRL at just 23 with the Bulldogs.
“I modelled myself on his game, he’s the player I look up to,’’ said Crichton, who has a three-year deal with the Tigers.
“The majority of what I have learned is from my bother and I've always wanted to play like him.
“Growing up my parents were pretty struck on making sure footy didn’t interfere with church but they know how serious we want to chase the dream to make first grade and are very supportive.’’
Crichton said showing good qualities while playing rugby league is important to her.
“I want to be known as a player who puts my all in,’’ she said.
“I want to make the most of things, be known for good sportsmanship, staying humble and working hard.
“They are things that are very important to me.’’
The seventh season of the NRLW will see 45 matches played over nine rounds and across 15 venues with the opener on July 25 between the Newcastle Knights and Sydney Roosters.
The NRLW Grand Final will be played on October 6 ahead of the NRL decider.
The competition will be fought out by the Wests Tigers, Canberra Raiders, Cronulla Sharks, North Queensland Cowboys, Brisbane Broncos, Sydney Roosters, St George Illawarra Dragons, Newcastle Knights, Parramatta Eels and Gold Coast Titans.
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Originally published as Wests Tigers NRLW hopeful Harmony Crichton bred tough by NRL brother Stephen and siblings
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