AdvertisementSportNRLNRL 2026 ‘He shouldn’t have played’: How Crichton’s bravery sparked Bulldogs resurgence Dan Walsh August 6, 2026 — 3:54pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Even with Canterbury’s resurgence and a stunning NSW Origin series win, this has been the toughest year of Crichton’s glittering career – though his is one of the most successful of modern times. Advertisement“I just saw bravery,” coach Cameron Ciraldo says of Crichton’s leadership when his side was in the doldrums. “During that period you know he was busted quite clearly and probably shouldn’t have played. Learning through that period, we lacked our team values … we just went back to things that we want Bulldogs players to look like.