NRL 2023: Penrith star Stephen Crichton on Bulldogs, telling teammates about Canterbury deal
When it comes to high energy and positive vibes, few sides do it as well as the Panthers. But this week’s vibe will be a little different as the end draws near for one of their best.
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Putting pen to paper on a lucrative deal at Canterbury was an agonising decision for Penrith star Stephen Crichton, but still easier than breaking the news to his close friend and teammate Brian To’o.
Not even the conversation Crichton had with coach Ivan Cleary after signing a four-year deal with the Bulldogs in January was as tough.
The revelation comes as Crichton, who is still only 22 years old, has also left the door ajar for a return to his beloved Panthers in the future.
Crichton and To’o didn’t come through Penrith’s junior system at the same time but their paths to the NRL merged in late 2018, and the dynamic outside back duo have been inseparable since.
That was until the Bulldogs came knocking with an offer the two-time premiership winner could not refuse – $3.3 million dollars and dibs on the fullback jumper in 2024.
“It was pretty hard (to tell the boys). The hardest was Bizza (To’o), I told him first,” Crichton said.
“He and his wife were pretty emotional.
“It shows how much our friendship means to him. We won’t be around each other as much but our friendship will still be there. But it motivates me to train harder and finish on a high with the boys.”
When the tears dried up, the emotions were replaced with a sense of acceptance but only to re-emerge in the lead-up to Friday’s preliminary final against Melbourne at Accor Stadium.
While the high energy and positive vibes the Panthers are synonymous for are still there, the week has been tinged with an uncharacteristic sombre feel at the foot of the mountains.
The reality that the Panthers are potentially 80 minutes away from farewelling not one but two of the club’s favourite Samoan sons, in Crichton and Bondi bound Spencer Leniu, is hitting hard.
“Reality has slowly started to hit us now actually,” To’o said.
“We’ve started to talk about it too so yeah, it’s hitting us.
“But we want to take it day by day and make every second we still have together count. I mean, we’re really close so we will still see each other off the field.
“But yeah, it’s still a bit emotional. I’m so happy for him though. I’m so proud of the man he has become and how he’s developed in his career … as sad as we are, to see him move onto bigger things, I’m proud of him. I can’t wait to see what he does in the near future.
“Obviously, I’m going to miss him (Crichton).”
A ‘sad’ Crichton has pledged to do everything in his power to ensure he leaves the club on a high and help deliver a historic three-straight premierships to the club before he walks away.
“(I’m) pretty sad … Yeah, yeah I think it has sunk in the last couple weeks … knowing it was my last home game (against Warriors), last few games with the boys, the last training sessions,” Crichton said.
“So I’m just trying to give it my all, give it my best so I can leave on a high. It would mean a lot.”
Crichton is adamant he has ‘no regrets’ about joining former Panthers assistant coach Cameron Ciraldo at Belmore but didn’t rule out a career swan song at Penrith.
“No, there are no regrets there,” Crichton said.
“I made the decision and I have put it to the side. I’ll worry about that stuff when that time comes. Right now, I want to focus fully and mentally on where I am and what I have to do to give my best for the team.
“I haven’t even spoken about that (coming back in the future) but hopefully when the time comes it might be pretty good too.
“But I can’t make the decision right now. We’ll see what happens when the time comes.”
Ciraldo, who was a key architect in Penrith’s title success, has come under fire at Belmore with the rookie coach’s physical approach at training making headlines last month.
There were numerous reports some Canterbury players took exception to the long gruelling days under Ciraldo. One player reportedly walked out on the club after being forced to wrestle teammates as punishment for turning up late to training.
To’o knows the kind of success Penrith have experienced takes hard work, and believes Crichton will buy into Ciraldo’s uncompromising approach.
“He’ll go all out for that (Bulldogs) jersey as well,” To’o said.
To’o also backed his teammate to be Canterbury’s new fullback next season despite legendary custodian Billy Slater urging Ciraldo to leave Crichton in the centres.
“Whether he’s a centre or fullback at Canterbury, the ball is in his court. He has all the attributes to be a fullback or centre. He can do both, no doubt. He’s got the skill level, he’s got the height, he’s strong as well and he’s pretty smart as well, surprisingly,” To’o laughed.
“He’s definitely got all the attributes to do a full-back’s work. Wherever Ciro (Ciraldo) puts him, he’ll kill it.”
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