Canterbury’s marquee signing Stephen Crichton will start the season in the centres – not at fullback – and complete one of the most lethal left-edge attacks in the NRL.
For all the excitement about South Sydney’s left side featuring Keaon Koloamatangi, Cody Walker, Jack Wighton, Latrell Mitchell and Alex Johnston, Canterbury will have Viliame Kikau, Matt Burton, Crichton and Josh Addo-Carr.
winner Crichton – signed for more than $800,000 a season – would start the year.
However, with a quad injury hampering Crichton and limiting how much work he has been able to do in training at fullback, Blake Taaffe will get first crack at the No.1 jersey. Taaffe had an off night in Friday’s trial match against Cronulla, but has barely put a foot wrong at training.
When Crichton is moved to fullback will depend on Taaffe and his performances in the early rounds.
Some fans might be asking why a player brought to the club on a four-year deal worth in excess of $3.3 million is wasted in the centres, but few centres in the game can influence a result with their attack and defence like Crichton.
“There are some experienced players out there [on the left] with Kiks [Kikau], Foxx [Addo-Carr] and Burto,” Crichton said. “We need to take our chances as they come and keep building the combinations, so it becomes second nature on the field.
“I’ve been training everywhere, wherever ‘Ciro’ [coach Cameron Ciraldo] wants. I’ve been doing reps at fullback, wing and centre … if I do get switched around I know what my job is, and I can handle it for the team. Everything [position] is a chance. The main reason for me playing [on Friday] was to get that combination right, and see how we’re going.
Crichton, who was appointed Bulldogs captain during the week, and was given a hero’s reception before a crowd of 6000 at Belmore during Friday’s 20-minute trial cameo, said he was excited to reconnect with former Panthers Burton and Kikau, as well as NSW Origin teammate Addo-Carr.
He even backed himself to help get the best out of Burton, who he said had “been a bit quiet the past few seasons”.
nd I’m trying to unleash him, to [help him] play what he sees and play happily – any NRL player plays at their best when they’re happy on and off the field.”
Crichton said he was honoured to captain Canterbury, had played under some great leaders such as Nathan Cleary and Issah Yeo at the Panthers, and James Tedesco at the Blues, but had never skippered a team, even at junior level.
Meanwhile, new Sydney Roosters’ NSW Cup coach Brett Morris was looking forward to working with a couple of former Origin representatives this year, including Dylan Napa and Michael Jennings.
