LAS VEGAS – Canterbury Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton is building a team culture rooted in connection and empathy, extending beyond the field to encompass the families of his players. The approach, which includes regular meetings with coaches from other sports to share leadership strategies, is being credited with fostering a more unified and supportive environment within the club.
Crichton revealed he participates in regular sessions with coaches from soccer, netball, basketball, and Australian Rules Football, finding value in diverse perspectives on team management. “The meetings basically deliver you a different perspective on how to deal with your own team,” Crichton said. “The others will come to the meeting with their problems, discuss how they should solve it, and how we would solve those same issues in our own code. I’ve found it to be a huge aid.”
This emphasis on interpersonal relationships extends to recognizing the support systems of the players. Crichton makes a conscious effort to learn the names of players’ partners and family members, aiming to create a welcoming atmosphere for those connected to the team. “That way, after each game, when the families are in the sheds, you can address them by their names. Hopefully, they remember those moments. They’re a part of our family as well,” he explained.
The Bulldogs’ back-rower, Jacob Preston, highlighted Crichton’s ability to connect with individuals. “His communication, on and off the field, he brings that every single day,” Preston said. “Secondly, he’s a great connector of people. He understands each individual for who they are, and he can connect those people and brings everyone together. He makes everyone perceive like they’re important.”
Former Bulldogs player Peter Mortimer, a three-time premiership winner with the club in the 1980s, praised the current leadership’s efforts to include past players. Mortimer, who traveled to Las Vegas with the team, noted Crichton’s genuine care for those around him and his expectation of reciprocal respect. “First of all, he’s a good person, he cares for those around him, and he demands that from them to care for him as well; he sets the example, so others will follow, and in this case, they really do,” Mortimer said.
Crichton’s personal gestures also demonstrate his commitment to building relationships. Canterbury security guard Koni Liutai recounted how Crichton and his wife, Leone, consistently offer him a ride home after home games, a small act of kindness that Liutai’s family deeply appreciates. Liutai, who first met Crichton when he was a “timid young kid” at Penrith, has witnessed his growth into a confident leader.
Crichton arrived at the Bulldogs for the 2024 season after winning three premierships with the Penrith Panthers. The salary cap constraints at Penrith created an opportunity for Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo to acquire Crichton, whom he identified as the ideal candidate to spearhead a new era for the club. Initially, Crichton admitted to trying to shoulder too much responsibility as captain, which impacted his individual performance. This season, he will transition from the right to the left centre position.
Despite a promising 2025 season cut short by an ankle injury sustained in the qualifying final defeat to Melbourne, Crichton remains optimistic. The injury prevented him from joining Samoa for the subsequent match against Penrith, but ultimately led to a trip to Fiji with his partner. “Watching that game burnt me a lot,” Crichton said. “It was against my old club. But I also realize everything happens for a reason. I don’t dwell on things, especially injuries – injuries happen for a reason, and there’s always a blessing behind it. As much as I was devastated at the time, had I not been injured, I would have played for Samoa rather than go to Fiji with my partner. Had I not gone to Fiji, she wouldn’t have had the chance to fall pregnant.”
Crichton and Leone are expecting their first child in July. The Bulldogs enter the 2026 season with renewed hope, with particular attention focused on the development of young halfback Lachie Galvin. Galvin faced scrutiny following his mid-season arrival from the Wests Tigers, and the club has shielded him from media access during the Las Vegas training camp.
Crichton expressed confidence in Galvin’s potential, recalling his performance in the loss to the Panthers despite the team’s overall defeat. “I never thought we were out of the fight that night, and we even scored a few late tries, and it was all off the back of Lachie’s ball-playing,” Crichton said. “We’ve got a superstar of the future. It was the biggest game he had played in, and that experience will benefit us in the long run. No ‘GOAT’ of the game doesn’t go through any backlash. If you’re a good player and not copping that, it means you’re doing something wrong. I’m excited to observe what Lachie can do this year.”
