‘He’s just a freak’: Stephen Crichton follows in the footsteps of famous Avenger to wow his Blues teammates with special skill

When Jarome Luai joins the Wests Tigers next season, he has publicly expressed his ambition to transform from Robin to Batman. However, when it comes to assuming his new leadership role, a former Panthers teammate is acting more like a different superhero.

Before Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo gave his star recruit the captaincy at the beginning of the season, Stephen Crichton had never led a game. The three-time premiership winner has accepted the proverb “with great power comes great responsibility,” just like Spider-Man.

After Canterbury’s recent victory over Parramatta, in which his strike center helped them overcome a late deficit to win a game they would have lost in the past, Ciraldo had nothing but praise for his team.

His impact on our group is indisputable. The way he’s been able to help them learn to win showed tonight in ways we can’t quantify,” he said.

“I think without him there tonight and his influence over the past few months, I don’t think that result happens.”

Leadership means different things to different people, but for Crichton, he strives to lead through his actions that speak volumes given he’s scored in four-straight grand finals and took Samoa to the World Cup final.

“I’ve got a big mouth and talk a lot, so I might as well use it on the field as well,” he said.

“That’s how I want to play footy and hopefully give confidence to the boys around me.

“I wouldn’t say that I’m surprised, but I still pinch myself with what I’m doing. I’m still shocking myself with what I do as a job, especially captaining the Dogs which is very special.

“I’m so excited going into training, I’m so excited to see the boys succeed and the boys around me doing their best.

“It does shock me, but I put it down to what I live for which is my family and my faith which has kept me humble throughout everything.”

Crichton, 23, is one of several club captains in the Blues side, and he’s easily been the loudest around camp in a bid to boost the confidence of his teammates as they look to keep the series alive.

His defence in game one was outstanding, and his attack has always been world class, but it’s his leadership that has blossomed in 2024 after showing glimpses of it at the Panthers.

“You could tell that he had that in him,” Blues enforcer Liam Martin said, having spent several seasons with him at Penrith.

“He’s the ultimate professional so he’s always the first one in and the last one out doing countless hours of video, stretching and all that stuff.

“His footy IQ is quite remarkable, so you could always tell that he had that in him. I’m just glad that he’s doing well and that ‘Ciro’ is getting the best out of him.

“He’s just a freak.

“He’s still young as, but you only have to look at him. He’s athletic and talented, but he also works super hard at his skill, so it’s no wonder that he’s reaping the rewards as the best centre in the game. He’s earned it.”

It’s been a brutal few years for the Bulldogs who last played finals footy way back in 2016, but Crichton has them in the top eight and has lifted standards around Belmore that hasn’t gone unnoticed at other clubs.

Panthers co-captain Isaah Yeo stated, “I felt like he had it in him, but with the leadership group at Penrith, he probably didn’t need to speak as much.”

Since he’s joined the Bulldogs, he’s undoubtedly realized what he can provide, and he’s demonstrating it.

“He is clearly demonstrating leadership, even though it isn’t always evident. His actions are highlighting the other players in his immediate vicinity, which is a quality of a strong leader.