Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton has accepted full responsibility for two pivotal moments that may have cost his team a win against the Panthers. The first critical incident unfolded with just two minutes remaining, when Brian To’o was penalised and placed on report for a high tackle on Bronson Xerri. Despite the Bulldogs trailing 8-6, Crichton chose to kick for touch instead of opting for a goal attempt that could have levelled the score and sent the match into golden point. Unfortunately, their ensuing attack faltered immediately when Panthers player Blaize Talagi intercepted a pass.
The second defining moment transpired during the final play of the game, when Crichton attempted a match-winning pass to Marcelo Montoya, only to see it go out of play. This misstep was particularly painful, as Montoya had a clear route to a potential try. Crichton, visibly distraught, reflected on the ending: “Just crucial errors at the end of the game… Last play, you’ve just got to ice it.”
In a post-match discussion with Nine’s Danika Mason, Crichton admitted that the decision not to take the penalty was solely his. He reasoned that the team had momentum and had been gaining ground against the Panthers. However, upon reflection, he acknowledged he should have taken the kick, stating, “But that was probably just purely on me. That’s the decision that we’re going to live with.”
Even so, Crichton may have been too hard on himself. Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo supported his captain’s decision, explaining the difficulties of taking the penalty from a distance and angle that favoured left-footed kickers. He felt it was better for the team to continue playing, as they had been generating opportunities to win, even if they ultimately failed to capitalise on them.
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary expressed his surprise that the Bulldogs opted against the penalty goal, noting its difficulty from that distance but adding that Matt Burton would have been capable of attempting the kick. Crichton’s acknowledgment of his role in the loss highlights the pressure and scrutiny players face in critical game moments, while also shedding light on the strategic decisions that define close matches in the NRL.