Unfamiliar territory for Crichton ahead of Origin I
Jasper Bruce |
Stephen Crichton concedes he has been below his best ahead of the State of Origin series opener, having battled through an unprecedented chapter of his NRL career.
For the first time since making his NSW debut in 2022, Crichton appeared less than a selection lock for the Blues, who unveiled their game-one team on Monday.
The Canterbury captain has struggled to recapture his three-time premiership winning best since returning early from a shoulder injury suffered on Good Friday.
Crichton was nevertheless one of the first players to learn he would be in the Blues team for game one on May 27, with coach Laurie Daley insisting the centre was never in serious doubt.
“He’s, in my opinion, one of the great leaders. People follow him,” Daley said on Monday.
“There’s no issues from my end. He was always going to be in the team.”
Crichton, 25, was grateful for the call given the tumultuous month that preceded it.
“To still get the opportunity, even though I probably haven’t been at my best, just shows that I can be there and that I can do my job too,” Crichton said.
“It’s my job now to return the favour and train really hard this week and put in a performance and show them why I did get picked.”
External debate over his form has not been the only unfamiliar set of circumstances for Crichton.
Prior to suffering his AC joint issue in round five, Crichton had not missed consecutive games through injury since making his NRL debut with Penrith in 2019.
Crichton still returned earlier than expected in round eight, and has required pain-killing injections to be able to play.
Until the week before Canterbury’s Magic Round loss to Cronulla, he had been unable to participate in full contact training without being needled.
Asked when he last had to contend with such a persistent injury, Crichton was unequivocal.
“Never,” he said.
“It’s been a bit of a struggle but you learn the most about yourself during the struggling times.
(I’ve learned) just to stick to the process, sticking to what I know and not listening to the outside noise. It’s the same people that will kick you down and the same people that come and pat your back as well when you’re doing really well.
“Always keeping my circle small is the biggest thing.”
Crichton has lost his last six games with Canterbury, but had never tasted three consecutive defeats in 144 NRL games before that.
The 2024 Dally M Captain of the Year conceded it was hard to leave the 14th-placed Bulldogs behind and miss Friday’s crucial home clash against Melbourne through Origin duty.
“It’s tough,” he said.
“It’s been a tough patch for our ‘Dogs boys. I know we’re searching for answers. The answers are within our group. I’m sure the boys and myself will find that.”
Crichton believes he is now finally approaching his elite best again.
He had some better moments in last week’s loss to the Sharks, notably scoring the Bulldogs’ second try with a signature burst of speed down the right edge.
Crichton expects he will be able to train without any restrictions this week.
“This is probably the best it (the shoulder) has felt now,” he said.
“I’m just ready to rip in for training and things like that. There’s no worries there.”
AAP