Stephen Crichton has insisted neither cash nor the possibility to play fullback factored into his determination to depart Penrith on the finish of this season.
Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Crichton opened up on his impending Panthers exit in his first interview because it was introduced he could be making the transfer to Belmore.
Calling it a “difficult decision”, Crichton advised The Telegraph that he will get “emotional” any time he thinks about this being his last yr on the foot of the mountains.
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“I have been a Penrith junior and I grew up coming through the ranks with the boys — a couple of them are my best mates,” he stated.
“It was the hardest decision I have ever made with my career. It was definitely hard just knowing that my time at Penrith will be coming to an end.
“I won’t take for granted the times I get to put this beautiful jersey on.”
Crichton signed a four-year take care of the Bulldogs reported to be price over $3.3 million, becoming a member of former Panthers teammates Matt Burton and Viliame Kikau within the blue and white.
The 22-year-old has beforehand spoken of his ambitions to play fullback at Penrith, though Crichton maintained that didn’t affect his determination to depart for the Bulldogs.
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“I just want to make it clear it was nothing to do with money, it was nothing to do with position,” Crichton stated.
“I kind of never wanted to leave Penrith. My only option I wanted was to stay no matter what happened. I got back from my time at the World Cup and was looking for an answer.
“I had to go to Samoa and wanted to get it done, but just couldn’t get an answer.
“So once I got my head around that I couldn’t stay with Penrith, I spoke to a few people I trust, then I made a decision to move on.
“The opportunity at the Bulldogs came up and just looking at the club, that is where my decision went.”
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Crichton added that whereas his agent had curiosity from different NRL golf equipment, he stated if he was not going to remain put he would favor to play beneath Cameron Ciraldo, who he labored with intently throughout his time on the Panthers.
“I had told him if I wasn’t staying that I wanted to go with Ciro,” Crichton stated.
“I looked at the them and saw they were going the right way as well. That kind of persuaded me. Having Cam Ciraldo there, having worked with him in the first five years of my career, he can get the best out of me on the field and off the field as well.”
But Crichton additionally burdened to any involved Panthers followers that his focus stays on going out on a excessive and leaving the membership with a 3rd premiership ring.
“I have more important things to worry about this year — that is the Panthers and winning another premiership for the club,” he stated.
“I don’t want to worry about the future, I want to stay present, do my job and play my hardest for Penrith right now.”
Source: www.foxsports.com.au