‘It was the hardest decision to make’: Bulldogs favourite to sign Stephen Crichton after star confirms he’s leaving Penrith

The Bulldogs are expected to make a huge play for Stephen Crichton after he told his Penrith teammates that he’ll be leaving at the end of the season.

Stephen Crichton won’t be at the Panthers in 2024. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

The Panthers are set to lose another premiership star with the club confirming Stephen Crichton won’t be at Penrith in 2024.

The two-time premiership winner broke the news to his teammates that he won’t be there next year, with the Bulldogs the favourites to sign him given there’s an opening for Crichton to play fullback.

That’s his preferred position but there’s no chance of him unseating Dylan Edwards at Penrith after the trusty fullback finished 2022 on a high with the Clive Churchill Medal as best player on the field in the big win over Parramatta.

Stephen Crichton told his teammates the bad news. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

The Panthers had tried to strike a new deal with Crichton last May but they couldn’t come to an agreement, with club officials opting to put off contract negotiations until the end of the season due to confusion surrounding the salary cap and the CBA.

Crichton, 22, will have one more season in Sydney’s golden west as he looks to claim a third premiership on the trot with the club that handed him his NRL debut in 2019.

“It was the hardest decision to make, but now my full focus is on the 2023 season and finishing my time at Panthers as strong as I can,” he said.

“It’s going to be tough to leave my teammates, but we will have our chance to make more memories this year. I know my friendships at Panthers won’t finish here but will last forever.”

Crichton came up with two decisive plays in the semi-final win over England at the World Cup. Picture: Michael Steele/Getty Images

An announcement on Crichton’s new club hasn’t been made yet, but he’s told the Panthers that he remains fully committed for the rest of the year.

Crichton is one of the most popular players at the club and has made a habit of coming up with huge plays, including the intercept try that sealed the 2021 title.

“Although Panthers is disappointed by the outcome, the club respects Stephen’s decision and understands the situation is exacerbated by salary cap pressure based on the club’s recent success,” Panthers Rugby League chief executive Matt Cameron said.

“The club thanks Stephen for his efforts and is looking forward to seeing him represent the Panthers for the remainder of the 2023 NRL season.”