Panthers superstar Stephen Crichton dropped a bombshell on the NRL world by announcing he would be leaving the Penrith powerhouse at the end of 2023.
Reports circled he wanted to remain at the foot of the mountain, however the 22-year-old will now field offers from rivals which could be worth up to $900,000 per season.
According to a club statement, the Panthers made an offer to re-sign the gun centre in May last year, but were knocked back before uncertainty surrounding the salary cap delayed discussions.
Crichton is set to attract ‘fullback money’ and will likely be recruited by clubs to wear the No. 1 jersey, being stuck behind Dylan Edwards in Penrith.
While Crichton has attracted interest from a number of rivals, including the Bulldogs, here is who could be ready to make a big play for the dual premiership winner for the 2024 season.
BULLDOGS
Ever since Cameron Ciraldo was announced as Bulldogs head coach in August 2022, reports suggested he was keen to bring Crichton with him to Belmore.
The Canterbury-Bankstown club granted Matt Dufty an early release in July to depart for the Super League, with Jake Averillo taking over at the back.
Averillo was impressive in his stint in the No. 1 jersey, but Bulldogs supremo Phil Gould surely wouldn’t pass up an opportunity to sign a player of Crichton’s calibre.
Crichton has already deputised for Dylan Edwards. But if he were at the Bulldogs alongside ex-Panthers Matt Burton and Viliame Kikau, it wouldn’t take long for Crichton to settle in at the back.
With Crichton already having a strong relationship with Ciraldo, according to the SMH, the Bulldogs will be hoping that pull can secure the deal.
The young star, who already has a wealth of NRL and representative experience, could form a strong spine from 2024 and beyond alongside Burton, Reed Mahoney and Kyle Flanagan.
TIGERS
Tim Sheens, alongside assistants Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah, have torn apart the Tigers squad and recruited big-name players along the way.
The merger club have added a number of elite forwards, including Apisai Koroisau and Isaiah Papali’I, but are yet to bolster their fullback stocks.
Daine Laurie has been impressive for the Tigers and has played 38 games across two seasons after leaving the Panthers following the 2020 season.
However, the 23-year-old remains off-contract and, as it stands, does not have a club for the 2024 season.
According to The Daily Telegraph, the Tigers were insistent on only offering the young fullback a one-year extension, while his management were seeking a two-year deal.
That opens the door for the Tigers to make a play for Crichton and bolster what is already an improved spine of Koroisau, Luke Brooks and Adam Doueihi next season.
The Tigers also recruited Charlie Staines in a swap deal in October, who will also be hoping to wear the No. 1 jersey under Sheens.
DOLPHINS
According to The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio, supercoach Wayne Bennett had Crichton in his sights as early as May.
The NRL’s newest franchise has so far failed to land a marquee superstar, missing out on a host of names including Cameron Munster and Harry Grant.
But it has a war chest at the ready.
The Dolphins had a clean salary cap to work with when they were announced as the 17th franchise in October 2021 and still have seven remaining spots in their top 30 for 2024 as it stands.
Crichton could be the perfect man to wear the No. 1 jersey under Bennett and become one of the Dolphins’ most important players.
At only 22, Crichton is a man the new franchise could build around for years. He would bring more premiership-winning and representative experience to the outside backs.
Bennett could throw the kitchen sink at Crichton to secure his signature. After all, he would almost certainly be able to offer more than rivals also hoping to sign him.
KNIGHTS
The Knights have a huge fullback headache on their hands, having no obvious choice to wear the No. 1 jersey come Round 1.
Kalyn Ponga is set to make the move into the halves, meaning the Hunter club are desperately searching for a man to take over at the back for this season.
Adam O’Brien’s side are reportedly set to land Sharks flyer Lachie Miller, according to The Daily Telegraph’s Buzz Rothfield, but the deal is yet to be confirmed.
Miller looks to be O’Brien’s first choice for the 2023 season. However, he could look to Crichton’s services for 2024 and beyond.
Ponga, 24, and Crichton, 22, would forge an impressive partnership in the Knights spine for years and, potentially, break the club’s 21 year premiership drought.
DRAGONS
The Dragons used multiple fullbacks in 2022, including young gun Tyrell Sloan, utility Moses Mbye and Cody Ramsey.
Ramsey has been battling a serious illness this off-season, which could open the door for Sloan to make the fullback jersey his own in 2023.
However, head coach Anthony Griffin hasn’t hesitated to axe the young gun in the past and if he fails to deliver at the Red V this season, Dragons powerbrokers could look elsewhere.
Crichton could be in Griffin’s scopes to provide the Dragons with a second attacking outlet in 2024, which would take the pressure off Ben Hunt.
Griffin, who has also failed to lead his team to the finals in his two years in charge, could be looking for a big recruit to spark his side’s resurgence.
RAIDERS
While Raiders young gun Xavier Savage appears to be the club’s long-term fullback, Ricky Stuart may be looking for a proven winner to wear the No. 1 jersey.
After making the second week of finals in 2022, the team from the nation’s capital will be desperate to make a deeper finals run.
If anyone knows what it takes to win premierships, it is Crichton, taking home the trophy in 2021 and 2022 after also featuring in the 2020 grand final.
While a Raiders play for Crichton would be a longshot, Stuart is reportedly interested in David Fifita’s services. Could he add the Panthers gun to his wishlist?
