NRL 2021: Stephen Crichton will use NSW’s Tom Trbojevic blueprint to dominate finals series

Penrith star Stephen Crichton is bringing a new tactic to the 2021 NRL finals, one road-tested in the toughest environment of the game.

NRL 2021 RD23 Penrith Panthers v South Sydney Rabbitohs – Stephen Crichton, Try Celebration

Stephen Crichton has revealed he plans to copy Tom Trbojevic’s State of Origin blueprint to dominate for Penrith in this year’s finals series.

Despite playing on the right wing over the past four weeks, Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has given Crichton, who is normally a centre, licence to roam.

Crichton thought immediately of the Manly fullback’s Origin role.

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Stephen Crichton is ready to dominate the finals series

“When the coach told me that I had the licence to do that as well, that came straight to mind,” Crichton said.

“I watch a lot of the way Tommy moves around the field and following up through the middle — I got a little bit from Origin where he’s just roaming around and he ends up getting the ball at the end of the set and scoring — it’s kind of like that, but probably not as good as Tommy.

“It gave me the confidence to do the exact same thing he does.

“He’s a natural fullback but he’s out in the centres and he ends up on the other side of the field, just wanting to play footy and getting the ball in his hands, and that’s something I want to do as well for our team.”

After building a reputation as one of the game’s most damaging centres, injury and form have forced Crichton to fill in at fullback in place of Dylan Edwards and out on the edge in season 2021.

Charlie Staines has missed selection since round 21, with Crichton preferred on the wing, given his safe hands under the high ball, alongside Paul Momirovski at centre.

“I do a lot of work with Dyl (Edwards) at the back, just doing catches after training. I get Romy (Jarome Luai) to put kicks for me as well. I’m pretty safe and comfortable under a high ball,” Crichton said.

“I don’t mind it … I’m still on the field and the coach gives me the licence to roam around the field to find good ball and to find myself a job wherever. The coach knows I can play a few positions, so whenever someone goes down I can slot into that position really easily. As long as I’m on the field, I’m still having fun.”

Tom Trbojevic terrorised Queensland in this year’s State of Origin series.

Crichton gets the chance to finetune his new roving role in Friday night’s blockbuster ‘Battle of the West’ against a resurgent Parramatta.

The Eels’ unlikely win over frontrunners Melbourne last weekend has sounded a warning to their finals rivals but coach Parramatta coach Brad Arthur has opted for a makeshift side, resting up to six regulars including skipper Clint Gutherson and halves Mitchell Moses and Dylan Brown.

Enforcer Junior Paulo will miss the match after copping a one-week ban for a shoulder charge.

Backrower Marata Niukora is out with concussion.

Samuel Loizou and Ky Rodwell have been named to make their NRL debuts from the bench.

Originally published as NRL 2021: Stephen Crichton will use NSW’s Tom Trbojevic blueprint to dominate finals series