‘He put the team on his back’: Captain Crichton fumes at referee after controversial no-contact call, then leads epic Bulldogs fightback
In a dramatic Sunday afternoon clash that will be talked about for weeks, Canterbury Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton delivered a stirring performance to rally his team from the brink of defeat — but not before unleashing a rare burst of frustration at a controversial referee decision that nearly derailed their charge.
The Bulldogs were trailing midway through the second half against the Gold Coast Titans when Crichton was involved in a pivotal moment that sparked heated debate. With Canterbury building momentum, Crichton sprinted into a gap and offloaded to Matt Burton, who appeared to be impeded by Titans defender Brian Kelly despite no clear contact. Referee Gerard Sutton waved play on, ruling it a “non-contact” incident — a decision that left Crichton seething.
“Mate, that’s a joke,” Crichton was heard saying in audio picked up by field microphones. “He doesn’t need to touch him — it’s a clear obstruction. You’ve got to be kidding.”
Despite his visible anger, Crichton quickly refocused, channeling his energy into a stunning final 20-minute display. The 23-year-old centre, in just his second season as Bulldogs skipper, exemplified leadership as he scored one try, assisted another, and pulled off a try-saving tackle to inspire a 28-26 comeback win.
“He put the team on his back,” said coach Cameron Ciraldo post-match. “That’s what great captains do — lead through adversity. It wasn’t just his talent, it was his heart.”
Crichton’s late try in the 72nd minute closed the gap to two, and with five minutes left, he produced a deft cut-out pass to set up Jacob Kiraz in the corner for the go-ahead score. The Titans launched a desperate final set, but Crichton was again there — shutting down an overlap with a crunching tackle that sealed the win.
“It was tough. That call rattled us a bit, but we just had to stick together,” Crichton told reporters. “We knew what we were capable of.”
Social media lit up with both praise for Crichton and criticism of the refereeing call, with many fans and former players weighing in. Some labelled it a “game-changing blunder,” while others lauded Crichton’s maturity in responding with action, not just words.
While the Bulldogs still sit outside the top eight, Sunday’s comeback win — sparked by their captain’s fiery passion and unshakable resolve — may be remembered as a turning point in their season.
“Leaders don’t just talk,” said Ciraldo. “They act. And tonight, Crichton stood tallest of all.”
Leave a Reply