ANOTHER WINGER WE BE RELOCATING CANTERBURY BULLDOG
As he prepares to take on the largest assignment of his career as Canterbury’s new captain, Stephen Crichton says that former Panthers colleague Nathan Cleary has been his “idol” and the model for leadership.
The three-time premiership winner took over as team captain earlier in the week, but he acknowledged on Friday night that it was his first time leading a team after the Sharks defeated them 12–6 in the preseason challenge.
As both teams dropped the ball often in the oily circumstances, he lost both his first coin toss and the game, but as a rookie leader, he showed potential with a few important defensive plays to motivate his teammates.
A year after Matt Burton and Reed Mahoney were named co-captains, coach Cameron Ciraldo made a bold decision in installing the new recruit as captain. However, the team supports the move, which has the potential to elevate Crichton’s play.
The strike center remarked, “I think it was the way I communicated with the team and what’s best for the team coming here with the experience I’ve had for the past few years at a successful club.”
“My leadership style during training (has been significant). I’m imparting lessons that I’ve learned throughout the years to many of the younger boys. Once it happened, everything fell into place.
“I’m quite appreciative of the chance to be the club’s leader.
The striker commented, “I think it was the way I communicated with the team and what’s best for the team coming here with the experience I’ve had for the past few years at a successful club.”
“During training, my leadership style has been noteworthy.” I’m teaching many of the younger lads the principles that I’ve discovered over the years. Everything fell into place after that.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to head the club.
Really, I haven’t talked to anyone about it. Most likely, they are off preparing for a game. I’m attempting to understand it on my own using my own perspective.
“I can lead the team if I can first learn how to lead myself. Nothing about the way I play truly changes.
With Blake Taaffe starting at fullback, Crichton played 20 minutes at left center on Friday night. Despite this, the former Souths utility player didn’t have a fantastic game, making a few unusual drops under the high ball.
There will definitely be conjecture that Crichton might be switched to fullback, and he admits it’s still a possibility.
He declared, “I’ve been training pretty much everywhere, wherever Ciro wants.”
