Stephen Crichton is on the verge of becoming one of rugby league’s greatest winners. It’s not just in terms of a third premiership at Penrith in just his fourth full season of rugby league, but also because he very rarely loses.
The Panthers on Tuesday named an unchanged team for Sunday’s grand final against Brisbane, which will mark the Canterbury-bound centre’s 100th NRL game.
Since making his debut against Cronulla in late 2019, Crichton has lost only 15 games. He has won 83 and drawn one.
Such is his record that victory on Sunday would give him the equal-second best winning percentage of players to have featured in at least 100 games, alongside St George legend Reg Gasnier on 84.
Only winger Eddie Lumsden, who won nine premierships with the Dragons during their 11-year streak, has a greater winning record at 88.2 per cent.
There’s a tale at Penrith that during Crichton’s rookie year in 2020, he was asked by a coach what it was like to be on such a long winning streak.
“It feels normal,” was said to be the centre’s reply.
Crichton doesn’t remember that conversation and is not certain it actually took place – but it would have been a more than fair response.
In the year before his NRL debut, Crichton won an under-18s SG Ball title with Penrith, then featured in the under-20s Jersey Flegg grand final later that season.
He took his senior bow in 2019 and has gone on to score a try in the 2020, 2021 and 2022 grand finals, winning two of them. Come Sunday, he can claim a third title just a week after his 23rd birthday.
“Winning’s still probably not natural,” Crichton insisted to AAP. “Being around a good team and making each other better is probably a way to put it. Not being comfortable with where we’re at.
“It’s not like, ‘Oh yeah, I’m just used to winning, so when you lose … it’s like heartbreak’. There’s always room for improvement.
“You’re never going to be too good for another team. It’s going to be the same this week. The Broncos are going to be coming out and they’ve got a very strong pack and fast outside backs.”
Crichton is not alone among Penrith’s serial winners. Only 18 players in the game’s history have played 100 games or more and won at least 75 per cent of them.
Included in that list are current Panthers Jarome Luai (82 per cent), Liam Martin (80.6 per cent) and Dylan Edwards (78.5 per cent).
All three came through the Penrith pathway and will play their fourth grand final on Sunday night.
“It’s just a credit to Ivan (Cleary, the head coach) and the coaching staff for the culture they’ve built here at the club,” Crichton, who will play on the left edge on Sunday with Izack Tago on the right, said. “Building them up when they’re younger so when it gets to the NRL, it’s not too different.
“We train the same in SG Ball, all the way up to NRL, so the transfer over to NRL is not a big transfer, you’re ready for it.”
Albo
Roar Rookie
I actually think that Crichton prefers the left and Tago the right side. But they have been shuffled around throughout the year for one reason or another ( perhaps to focus on an oppositions strength or weakness, or just to use their own preferred combinations like Crichton & To’o). But I think they may have settled on their preferred sides for the GF as they will have big dangers attacking from the other mob especially on the Broncos right edge. Walsh prefers the right edge , Reynolds plays there, Riki is on fire there , Staggs is a bull there and Cobbo can conjure up anything from the wing. So for the Panthers, they will need plenty of attentiveness from Sorensen, Luai, Crichton & Turuva. Crichton’s defence and reading of the play will be vital to keep the Broncos contained on that side. Crichton likes picking off long ball intercepts ( maybe from Walsh ?) , and he also offers an aeriel threat from bombs in attack over Staggs , whilst Martin competes well on the other side. Tago may still cause a concern or two in defence with that right pec injury . That was a poor miss on Olam last week, and Herbie won’t be easy to contain on Sunday ?
The Barry
Roar Guru
I was thinking about that this morning. Remember when Tago came back from injury and Cleary switched Crichton over to the left and put Tago on the right? Last year - and a lot of this year,, Tago was left and Crichton right Do you think that was with half an eye on the Broncos and Walsh? Most teams attack left so you want your best defenders on the right. The Broncs and Walsh are probably the anomaly Tago’s an absolute gun but he’s still getting used to defending at centre against top flight players Coaching master stroke assuming a) that was the actual reason and b) it works
Albo
Roar Rookie
Whatever you think of Crichton as a player, his performance on Sunday will go a long way towards deciding who will be the premiers in 2023. He has a major role in combating Walsh on his favoured right edge, and Staggs charging there too. His defence will need to be at its best. In attack I think he will cause some issues under the high ball in the Broncos red zone.
kk
Roar Pro
Bulldog Crichton has a reassuring ring to it.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
When you guys get Cleary and Yeo he will be in with a show.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
'at the moment' they are all better ? None are near him with that qualifier.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
It's funny but I rate Tago as better. He's carrying an injury ATM, but he's the most balanced runner of the footy I've seen for a long time. He is as good as Giddly at setting up his winger . He is also great defensively . If he had genuine pace he would be top shelf.
The Barry
Roar Guru
He was in the centres, not sure which side. If I was going to guess I’d say left…
jimmy jones
Roar Rookie
farworth lol cmon get serious
jimmy jones
Roar Rookie
what did he play when they lost in 2020
Tony
Roar Guru
Stranger things have happened :thumbup:
The Barry
Roar Guru
Haha… I realised that must have been what you were getting at after I asked, but I swear I didn’t mean it that way… :happy:
Tony
Roar Guru
The next at fullback...
The Barry
Roar Guru
What did I do…?
Tony
Roar Guru
I see what you did there :happy:
London Panther
Roar Rookie
Lots of chances to ‘get better’. Couldn’t resist but I am not bitter about him leaving Penrith. Always done a great job for us, including this year where others might have coasted, he has played out of his skin. Wish him the best at the dogs, and like BL said above, hope he comes home to finish up after taking Landy’s money…
vonManstein
Roar Rookie
Here's hoping his 84th win is in blue and white.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Also of note, if the Panthers win on Sunday, Crichton will have won one premiership on the wing, one at right centre and one at left centre…
Tony
Roar Guru
Wighton? No!
the outsider
Roar Rookie
Call it arse, call it skill. He has a habit of always being in the right spot. What a start to a career