No dirty dog: Canterbury address Crichton charge
George Clarke |
Canterbury say Stephen Crichton is no “grub” despite suggestions the Bulldogs captain is playing too close to the edge and – almost – getting away with it.
Crichton’s on-field antics have drawn renewed criticism after the 24-year-old was seen making contact with the face of Melbourne fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen during the Storm’s 20-14 win last Friday.
The Samoan international originally escaped sanction when the NRL laid charges on Saturday.
He was retrospectively handed a $1000 fine and a grade-one contrary conduct charge on Monday after his indiscretion – which led to him being placed on report in Friday’s game – was highlighted in a Newscorp story.
The NRL denied this was an example of the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) using its new discretionary judiciary powers to go over the top over the match review committee.
And while the financial penalty will not be a huge outlay for one of the Dogs’ top earners, Crichton will now be on a tighter disciplinary leash heading into the NRL’s finals series.
“He’s got what I get paid in a year in his ashtray,” joked utility Kurt Mann.
Crichton accepted the NRL’s fine on Tuesday and will not contest the charge at the NRL judiciary.
“He (Crichton) is quite aggressive and competitive on the field … that’s what makes boys want to follow him as well, that’s why he’s our leader,” Mann said.
“As a person, he’s the furthest thing from a grub.
“He’s a morally upstanding person, a great bloke, a great leader and comes from a good family, so he’s the complete opposite to what they’re trying to make him out to be.
(Mark Evans/AAP PHOTOS)
“He’s a competitor, but he’s not that (a dirty) type of person. His dad’s a pastor and he’s a man of God himself.”
Forward Sitili Tupouniua said Crichton would be unmoved by criticism.
“I don’t think he’s too worried about what other people say,” Tupouniua said.
“We know how he is as a person and as a man, and I’m sure he’s confident in the man he is. He’s a good bloke.”
After accepting the fine, Crichton will be free to face his former club Penrith on Thursday.
A win would secure a top-four finish for the Bulldogs, who look to have been handed an early boost by the Panthers’ decision to rest 16 of the 17 players who featured in last Friday’s golden-point loss to Canberra in Mudgee.
Regardless of who the Panthers run out, Mann said the Dogs needed to sharpen things up after defeats to the Sydney Roosters and the Storm.
“The teams we’ve played at the back end of the year have won the last 10 premierships so it’s a good way to test yourself leading into finals,” Mann said.
“Steel sharpens steel and it’s going to be good for us.
“We’ve struggled with consistency a little bit lately but it was a stepping stone on the weekend.”
AAP
