Stephen Crichton

Stephen Crichton (born 22 September 2000) is a Samoan professional rugby league footballer who plays for and captains the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs in the NRL and Samoa at international level. He has represented the NSW Blues in State of Origin.

Crichton previously played for the Penrith Panthers in the NRL, with whom he won the 2021, 2022 and 2023 NRL Grand Finals. Crichton has the distinction of scoring a try in each of Penrith's four consecutive grand final appearances (2020 to 2023).

Background
Crichton was born in Apia, Samoa. He moved to Auckland, New Zealand at the age of two, before his family eventually settled in Sydney, Australia. He is the younger brother of Penrith Panthers player Christian Crichton.

Early life
Crichton played his junior rugby league with St Clair Comets. He attended Patrician Brothers' College, Blacktown. He also played Australian rules football in primary school and in grade 7 while at Brothers', however quit to focus on league.

2019
Crichton made his first-grade debut for Penrith against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in round 21 of the 2019 NRL season which ended in a 26–20 victory for Penrith at Panthers Stadium.

2020
In round 8 of the 2020 NRL season, Crichton scored two tries as Penrith defeated the Wests Tigers 19–12 at Bankwest Stadium.

Crichton had a breakout year for Penrith in the 2020 NRL season playing 22 games and scoring 17 tries as Penrith won the minor premiership. Crichton played in the 2020 NRL Grand Final, scoring a try in the second half as Penrith were defeated by Melbourne 26–20. For a successful individual season, Crichton was named Centre of the Year at the 2020 Dally M Awards and rewarded with a spot in the New South Wales State of Origin 27-man squad although he did not play in the three game series.

2021
In round 5 of the 2021 NRL season, Crichton was fined $1350 by the NRL for pulling benched Canberra Raiders player Joseph Tapine into a celebratory throng and goading him.

Critchton played a total of 26 games for Penrith in the 2021 NRL season including the club's 2021 NRL Grand Final victory over the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Crichton scored what would be the match winning try off an intercepted Cody Walker pass as Penrith held on to win 14–12.

On 19 October, Crichton was handed a proposed $4000 fine by the NRL and a breach notice which alleges that he acted contrary to the best interests of the game after he was photographed on social media acting in a disrespectful manner toward the Provan-Summons Trophy. Although Crichton nor any of the Penrith players had broken the trophy, the NRL alleged Crichton and teammate Nathan Cleary showed disrespect towards the individuals depicted in the iconic moment on the trophy.

2022
In round 7 of the 2022 NRL season, Crichton scored a hat-trick in Penrith's 36-6 victory over Canberra. Crichton played a total of 23 games for Penrith throughout the year including the clubs 2022 NRL Grand Final victory over Parramatta. Crichton scored the opening try in the final which finished 28-12 in Penrith's favour.

In October Crichton was named in the Samoa squad for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.

In the 2021 Rugby League World Cup semi-final, Crichton scored two tries and kicked the winning drop goal for Samoa as they defeated England 27-26 in golden point extra-time at the Emirates Stadium. He finished the tournament as the top point scorer with 73 points. Crichton played for Samoa in their Rugby League World Cup final loss to Australia.

In November he was named in the 2021 RLWC Team of the Tournament.

2023
On 16 January, Crichton's management informed Penrith that he would be seeking other opportunities for 2024. On 19 January, Fox League reported that Crichton signed with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs for four years starting in 2024, which was confirmed by the club on January 22. On 18 February, Crichton played in Penrith's 13-12 upset loss to St Helens RFC in the 2023 World Club Challenge. In round 8 of the 2023 NRL season, Crichton scored a hat-trick in Penrith's 20-18 loss against South Sydney. On 22 May, Crichton was selected by New South Wales in the extended squad for game one of the 2023 State of Origin series.

During 2023 NRL season, Crichton played 24 games for Penrith and emerged as the team's second-leading try-scorer. With 15 tries for the season, he was one of the competition's highest-scoring centers.

Crichton was instrumental in the club's 26-24 victory over Brisbane in the 2023 NRL Grand Final as Penrith won their third straight premiership, successfully overturning a 24-8 deficit in the final 20 minutes. Crichton kicked the opening conversion of the grand final, in addition to scoring the second try of Penrith's comeback, breaking through three tacklers to emphatically slam the ball over the try line. In the final minutes of the match, Crichton managed two clutch kicks that both found out-of-position Broncos defenders and forced repeat sets. The second would prove decisive, capitalised upon by Nathan Cleary to score the match-winning try. The grand final was Crichton's 100th and final match for the Panthers.

2024
On 22 February, Crichton was announced as the captain of the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. In round 1 of the 2024 NRL season, Crichton scored a try on debut for Canterbury as they were defeated 26-8 against arch-rivals Parramatta. On 26 May, Crichton was named at centre for New South Wales ahead of the 2024 State of Origin series. In round 14, Crichton scored two tries for Canterbury in their win over arch-rivals Parramatta.

Honours
Individual Club
 * Dally M Centre of The Year: 2020
 * Dally M Centre of The Year: 2023
 * 2020 Minor Premiership Winners
 * 2021 NRL Grand Final Winners
 * 2022 Minor Premiership Winners
 * 2022 NRL Grand Final Winners
 * 2023 Minor Premiership Winners
 * 2023 NRL Grand Final Winners

State of Origin
 * 2024 State of origin winners

International
 * 2021 Rugby League World Cup final