Panthers star Stephen Crichton says he has “no regrets” becoming a member of Canterbury subsequent season and has backed Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo’s bodily strategy to coaching as the one method to make the embattled membership nice once more.
Crichton inked a four-year deal to go to Belmore again in January to work beneath Ciraldo, who was a former assistant at Penrith and a key a part of their back-to-back premierships.
There was loads of speak concerning the Bulldogs turning into the Panthers beneath the defensive mastermind, however the boys in blue and white completed 2023 with simply seven wins and conceded essentially the most factors (769) to complete down in fifteenth.
Watch each recreation of The 2023 NRL Telstra Finals Series earlier than the Grand Final Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo Sports. Join now and begin streaming immediately >
It’s been a very completely different story for Crichton and his Panthers buddies who clinched one other minor premiership, scored essentially the most factors, conceded the fewest and are one win away from a fourth grand closing in as a few years.
Despite all that, Crichton – who has scored a strive in every of the previous three grand finals – has no qualms concerning the challenges he’ll face at Canterbury.
“There are no regrets,” he stated.
“I’m going to take it head on and do what I have to do when I get there. I haven’t really thought about it because I’m not there, so I’m trying to focus all my mind and body on where I am right now and what I’ve got to do to win games.”
Get all the most recent NRL news, highlights and evaluation delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
Crichton, 22, has emerged as top-of-the-line athletes in rugby league and can be creating right into a pure chief, one thing he is aware of he’ll need to lean on when he joins a membership that has forgotten what success seems to be like.
“It comes down to the individual attitude of a player and if they want to do it or not,” he stated.
“It’ll help me being a part of this club and what type of leader I’ve turned myself into being around this type of boys.”
There’s an outdated saying in rugby league that successful begins within the entrance workplace, but it surely additionally helps if groups are getting their work achieved at coaching, which has develop into an enormous speaking level for the Bulldogs.
Ciraldo has made it clear he desires to toughen up the squad with brutal coaching periods, however that hasn’t gone down properly with some gamers who’ve reportedly questioned the lengthy days and bodily demanding drills.
MORE NRL NEWS
‘BLOODY HARD JOB’: DCE hits again at Gould over ‘ridiculous’ NRL participant depart
‘PICK BEST AND FIND A POSITION’: Plans for star trio in Kangaroos’ No.1 battle
‘REALLY HARD’: Gagai lifts lid on ‘tough moment’ with Slater amid Maroons axing UP THE WAHS: Warriors into prelim as Knights fairytale involves shuddering halt
That all got here to a head when one participant reportedly walked out on the membership late within the season and has been struggling ever since after he was compelled to wrestle a big chunk of the squad as a result of he turned up late to coaching.
The situation has break up opinions, with some calling the punishment too robust, whereas others are adamant it’s the one method to repair a Bulldogs facet that has grown used to shedding.
“Without hard work, you’re not going to succeed,” stated Crichton, who backed his future coach.
“Ciro has been here and Ciro was here at the start of the rebuild. He’s seen what hard work can do, and we’ve done it ever since the start and it’s worked.
“If you’re not doing hard work, then how do you expect to win?
“If you’re trying to get the easy outs at training, then you’re not there for the right reasons. You’re there for the money and the passion’s not there.
“The passion as an NRL player is to win – that’s what drives you to be the best person you can be – and that’s what I’ve learnt at Penrith. Everything comes from winning, and you’ve got to win to be your best.
“All of that comes from the way you train and you do everything.”
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
