Panthers celebrity Stephen Crichton dropped a bombshell on the NRL world by saying he can be leaving the Penrith powerhouse on the finish of 2023.
Reports circled he wished to stay on the foot of the mountain, nonetheless the 22-year-old will now discipline gives from rivals which could possibly be value as much as $900,000 per-season.
According to a membership assertion, the Panthers made a proposal to re-sign the gun centre in May final yr, however have been knocked again earlier than uncertainty surrounding the wage cap delayed discussions.
Stream Over 50 Sports Live & On-Demand with Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
Papenhuyzen offers replace on US rehab | 01:20
Crichton is about to draw ‘fullback money’ and can doubtless be recruited by golf equipment to put on the No.1 jersey, being caught behind Dylan Edwards in Penrith.
While Crichton has attracted curiosity from a lot of rivals, together with the Bulldogs, right here is who could possibly be able to make a giant play for the twin premiership-winner for the 2024 season.
BULLDOGS
Ever since Cameron Ciraldo was introduced as Bulldogs head coach in August 2022, reviews prompt he was set to carry Crichton with him to Belmore.
The Canterbury-Bankstown membership granted Matt Dufty an early launch in July to depart for the Super League, with Jake Averillo taking on on the again.
Averillo was spectacular in his stint within the No.1 jersey, however Bulldogs supremo Phil Gould received’t cross up on the chance to signal a participant of Crichton’s calibre.
The younger gun has already deputised for Dylan Edwards, however with fellow Panthers Matt Burton and Viliame Kikau alongside him — it received’t take lengthy for Crichton to settle in on the again.
Crichton reportedly additionally has a powerful relationship with Ciraldo, in accordance with the SMH, and the Bulldogs will probably be hoping that pull can safe the deal.
The younger star already has a wealth of NRL and consultant expertise, and alongside Burton, Reed Mahoney and Kyle Flanagan, may type a powerful backbone from 2024 and past.
TIGERS
Tim Sheens, alongside assistants Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah, have gone about tearing aside the Tigers squad and recruiting big-name gamers alongside the way in which.
The merger membership have added a lot of elite forwards, together with Apisai Koroisau and Isaiah Papali’I, however are but to bolster their fullback shares.
Daine Laurie has been spectacular for the Tigers and has performed 38 video games throughout two seasons after leaving the Panthers following the 2020 season.
However, the 23-year-old stays off-contract and because it stands doesn’t have a membership for the 2024 season.
According to The Daily Telegraph, the Tigers have been insistent on solely providing the younger fullback a one-year extension, whereas his administration have been looking for a two-year deal.
That opens the door for the Tigers to make a play for Stephen Crichton and bolster what’s already an improved backbone of Koroisau, Luke Brooks and Adam Doueihi subsequent season.
The Tigers additionally recruited Charlie Staines in a swap deal in October, who may even be hoping to put on the No.1 jersey below Sheens.
Bronco returns from damage for trials | 00:56
DOLPHINS
According to The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio, supercoach Wayne Bennett had Crichton in his sights as early as May.
The NRL’s latest franchise have to date did not land a marquee celebrity, lacking out on a bunch of names together with Cameron Munster and Harry Grant — however now have a warfare chest on the prepared.
The Dolphins had a clear wage cap to work with after they have been introduced because the seventeenth franchise in October 2021 and nonetheless have 4 remaining spots of their prime 30 because it stands.
Crichton could possibly be the proper man to put on the No.1 jersey below Bennett and turn into one of many Dolphins’ most vital gamers.
At solely 22, Crichton is a person the brand new franchise may construct round for years to return and likewise brings extra premiership-winning and consultant expertise to the skin backs.
Bennett may throw the kitchen sink at Crichton to safe his signature and can doubtless be capable of supply greater than rivals who’re additionally hoping to signal him.
Get all the most recent NRL news, highlights and evaluation delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
KNIGHTS
The Knights have an enormous fullback headache on their fingers, having no apparent option to put on the No.1 jersey come Round 1.
Kalyn Ponga is about to make the transfer into the halves, and the Hunter membership are desperately trying to find their man to take over on the again for this season.
Adam O’Brien’s facet are reportedly set to land Sharks flyer Lachie Miller in accordance with The Daily Telegraph’s Buzz Rothfield, however the deal is but to be confirmed.
Miller seems to be Adam O’Brien’s man for the 2023 season, nonetheless, he may look to Crichton’s providers for 2024 and past.
Ponga, 24, and Crichton, 22, may forge a powerful partnership within the Knights backbone for years to return and probably break the membership’s 21 yr premiership drought.
DRAGONS
The Dragons used a number of fullback in 2022, together with younger gun Tyrell Sloan, utility Moses Mbye and Cody Ramsey.
Ramsey has been battling a severe sickness this low season, which may open the door for Sloan to make the fullback jersey his personal in 2023.
However, head coach Anthony Griffin hasn’t hesitated to axe the younger gun up to now and if he fails to ship on the Red V this season, Dragons powerbrokers may look elsewhere.
Crichton could possibly be in Griffin’s scopes and could possibly be the person to offer the Dragons facet with a second attacking outlet in 2024, taking the stress off Ben Hunt.
Griffin has additionally failed to steer his group to the finals in his two years in cost and could possibly be in search of a giant recruit to spark his facet’s resurgence.
Cobbo and Walters ‘clear the air’ | 02:59
RAIDERS
While Raiders younger gun Xavier Savage seems to be the membership’s long-term fullback, Ricky Stuart could also be in search of a confirmed winner to put on the No.1 jersey.
After making the second week of finals in 2022, the group from the nation’s capital will probably be determined to make a deeper finals run.
If anybody is aware of what it takes to win premierships, it’s Stephen Crichton, taking residence the trophy in 2021 and 2022 and likewise that includes within the 2020 grand remaining.
While the Raiders making a play for Crichton is a longshot, Stuart is reportedly fascinated about David Fifita’s providers and will additionally add the Panthers gun to his wishlist.