Star recruit Stephen Crichton named new Canterbury Bulldogs captain
Canterbury coach Cameron Ciraldo has delivered the first major change of the season by appointing star recruit Stephen Cricthon as the club’s new skipper. This is why.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Canterbury coach Cameron Ciraldo has delivered the first bombshell change of the season by appointing new recruit Stephen Crichton as skipper — making him one of the youngest captains in the NRL.
Crichton will take over from Matt Burton and Reed Mahoney who shared the duties last year. After splitting the role last year, Ciraldo has opted for Crichton to be the club’s stand-alone skipper meaning his first game as a Bulldog in round one against Parramatta will also be his captaincy debut.
Crichton joined the Bulldogs as a marquee off-season recruit from Penrith having been a key part of their three straight grand final wins.
Only recently appointed North Queensland co-captain Tom Deardan is younger than Crichton at 22. Gold Coast’s Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is 24.
“Reed and Burto have played integral roles in setting the foundation for our team’s success, both on and off the field,” Ciraldo said.
“They did an exceptional job being thrown in the deep end last year and put their hands up during a challenging year to help guide our young squad. There were a lot of lessons and learnings out of last year and both Reed and Burto will be better from the experience of it.
“Stephen is a really good reader of energy. He understands when people are a little bit flat, low on energy, and when it’s a bit quiet, and he can change the mood in an instant. Sometimes that’s with some annoying music or sounds, or loud noises that he comes up with but he’s great at bringing people together,” Ciraldo said.
“He really understands bringing positive energy to the group and he’s been such a valuable asset to us this pre-season.”
While Crichton may be one of the youngest captains in the game he already has four grand finals, 100 matches, State of Origin and Test appearances to his name. By contrast though the likes of opposing club captains in Daly Cherry-Evans (Manly), Ben Hunt (St George Illawarra), Adam Reynolds (Broncos), Elliott Whitehead (Raiders), Jesse Bromwich (Dolphins), James Tedesco (Roosters) and Api Koroisau are all in their 30s.
It is a bold call from Ciraldo given Crichton is just months into his stint as a Bulldog. But it shows the impact that Crichton has already had on the playing group.
Ciraldo appointed Mahoney and Burton as captain’s last year when he took over as Canterbury coach. Raymond Faitala-Mariner was Canterbury’s club captain.
As recently as Wednesday, Mahoney was speaking about the challenges he faced as captain in his first season at the Bulldogs.
“I thought leadership wasn’t as hard as it is,” he told the Bulldogs website. “People might see it as a ‘c’ next to your name but it’s a lot more than that.
“Everyone is always watching what you’re doing, there’s no time to slack off, especially when you’re watching young fellas copy what you’re doing and they think that’s ok.”
Burton has struggled for consistency at times at Canterbury.
Crichton will have his first pre-season hitout on Friday when he leads the team out against the Sharks.
Originally published as Star recruit Stephen Crichton named new Canterbury Bulldogs captain
Buzz’s highlights, lowlights: NRL replaces referees’ boss on eve of season
There has been a major shake up to the NRL’s football department just two weeks out from the round 1 Las Vegas spectacle. Phil ‘Buzz’ Rothfield reveals his highlights and lowlights.
The Tackle: Eel forced to apologise to TV reporter for sideline prank
Parramatta forward Joe Ofahengaue’s childish sideline antics involving Zac Lomax have gone down like a lead balloon with coach Jason Ryles and club bosses.