“I’ll leave if he’s not fired.” Due to their major miscommunication, a key player for the Panthers has stated he will leave the team if his colleague is not dismissed.
Star center Stephen Crichton will leave the Panthers at the end of the 2023 campaign, the team has confirmed.
A number of teams, including the Bulldogs, are reportedly interested in signing Crichton because his contract is about to expire. They could offer him up to $900,000 a season to play fullback.
In addition to leading Penrith to consecutive premierships, the 22-year-old was a standout performer for Samoa during the most recent Rugby League World Cup.
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Crichton’s departure was verified by the Panthers in a statement on Monday.
According to the statement, “Stephen Crichton’s management group notified the club overnight that he will be seeking opportunities elsewhere in 2024.” The Panthers can attest to this.
“The club made a significant offer for Stephen to stay with the Panthers in May 2022, despite what the media has reported. We were disappointed that the club was unable to come to a decision at that time.
“At the end of the 2022 season, contract talks were postponed while the club worked to clarify its stance due to the unpredictability surrounding the CBA negotiations and the NRL salary cap.
“Stephen made the decision to pursue other interests despite the club’s best efforts to keep the representative player, as external interest in his services was expected given his two Premiership victories and his World Cup experience.”
Although acknowledging that the team is “disappointed by the outcome,” Matt Cameron, the football manager at Penrith, thanked Crichton for his time.
“The club respects Stephen’s decision and acknowledges that the situation is made worse by salary cap pressure given the club’s recent success, even though the Panthers are disappointed by the outcome,” Cameron stated.
“The Panthers are excited to have Stephen play for them for the balance of the 2023 NRL season. The club thanks him for his efforts.”
Crichton will play out the remaining year of his deal before switching teams.
“It was the most difficult choice to make, but right now, I’m completely focused on the 2023 season and giving the Panthers my best season yet,” he stated.
“Leaving my teammates will be difficult, but this year we have the opportunity to create more memories. I am aware that my friendships with the Panthers will endure forever and not end here.
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BRONCOS
Adam Reynolds (2024), Billy Walters (2024), Blake Mozer (2025), Brendan Piakura (2024), and Corey Jensen (2023) Corey Oates (2023, PO 2024, 2025), Cory Paix (2023), Deine Mariner (2024), Delouise Hoeter (2024), Ethan Quai (2023), Ezra Mam (2024), Herbie Farnworth (2023), Jesse Arthars (2023), Jock Madden (2024), Jordan Pereira (2023), Jordan Riki (2024), Keenan Palasia (2023), Kobe Hetherington (2025), Kotoni Staggs (2024), Kurt Capewell (2024), Patrick Carrigan (2024), Payne Haas (2024), Reece Walsh (2025), Selwyn Cobbo (2025), TC Robati (2024), Thomas Flegler (2023), Xavier Willison (2025)
Josh Rodgers (2023) and Tyson Smoothy (2023) are players in development.
Gains for 2023: Jesse Arthars (loaner return), Jock Madden (Wests Tigers), and Reece Walsh (Warriors)
Losses for 2023: Tyson Gamble (Knights), Jake Turpin (Roosters), Brenko Lee (Dolphins), David Mead (retired), Te Maire Martin (Warriors), Ryan James (retired), and Zac Hoaking (Panthers)
Losses for 2024: Tesi Niu (Dolphins), Keenan Palasia (Titans)
Kevin Walters is the coach (2023)
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RIDES
The squad for 2023 is as follows: Adrian Trevilyan (2023), Albert Hopoate (2023), Ata Mariota (2024), Brad Schneider (2023), Clay Webb (2023), Corey Horsburgh (2024, MO 2025), Corey Harawira-Naera (2025, PO 2026), Danny Levi (2024), Elliott Whitehead (2024), Emre Guler (2023), Harley Smith-Shields (2023), Hudson Young (2024), Jack Wighton (2023, PO 2024), Jamal Fogarty (2024), James Schiller (2024), Jarrod Croker (2023, PO 2024), Jordan Rapana (2023), Josh Papalii (2024, MO 2025), Matthew Frawley (2023), Matthew Timoko (2025), Nick Cotric (2024), Sebastian Kris (2024), Semi Valemei (2024), Tom Starling (2023, PO 2024), Trey Mooney (2024), Xavier Savage (2025), Zac Woolford (2024), Hudson Young (2024)
Players in development: Zane Dunford (2024), Jayden Clarkson (2023), Ethan Strange (2023), and Brandon Morkos (2023).
Pasami Saulo (Knights) and Danny Levi (Huddersfield) gain in 2023.
2023 losses: Ryan Sutton (Bulldogs), Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (Warriors), Josh Hodgson (Eels), and Adam Elliott (Knights)
Ricky Stuart is the coach (2025)
Bulldogs
The 2023 team consists of the following players: Andrew Davey (2024), Bailey Biondi-Odo (2023), Braidon Burns (2023), Brandon Clarke (2023), Christopher Patolo (2023), Corey Waddell (2023), Declan Casey (2023), Franklin Pele (2024), Hayze Perham (2024), Jackson Topine (2024), Jacob Kiraz (2024), Jacob Preston (2024), Jake Averillo (2023), Jayden Okunbor (2023), Jeral Skelton (2024), Josh Addo-Carr (2025), Kyle Flanagan (2023), Luke Thompson (2023), Matt Burton (2027), Max King (2024), Paul Alamoti (2024), Raymond Faitala-Mariner (2025), Reed Mahoney (2026), Ryan Sutton (2025), Samuel Hughes (2023), Tevita Pangai Junior (2024), Viliame Kikau (2026)
Players in development: Joseph O’Neill (2023), Iverson Matai (2023), Jordan Samrani (2023), and Isaac Matalavea-Booth (2023)
Gains for 2023: Josh Reynolds (Hull FC—train and trial), Andrew Davey (Sea Eagles), Franklin Pele (Sharks), Viliame Kikau (Panthers), Reed Mahoney (Eels), Ryan Sutton (Raiders), and Hayze Perham (Eels)
The following teams will lose in 2023: Josh Jackson (retired), Aaron Schoupp (Titans), Ava Seumanufagai (released), Corey Allan (Roosters), Paul Vaughan (Warrington), Matt Dufty (Warrington), Joe Stimson (Titans), and Jack Hetherington (Knights).
Bronson Xerri (returning from ban) gains in 2024
Coach: Ciraldo Cameron (2027)
SHARKS
The squad for 2023 is as follows: Blayke Brailey (2026), Braden Hamlin-Uele (2024), Braydon Trindall (2025), Briton Nikora (2025), Cameron McInnes (2025), Connor Tracey (2024), Dale Finucane (2025), Jack Williams (2024), Jayden Berrell (2023), Jesse Colquhoun (2024), Jesse Ramien (2023), Kade Dykes (2024), Lachlan Miller (2023), Matthew Ikuvalu (2023), Matthew Moylan (2024), Mawene Hiroti (2023), Nicho Hynes (2024), Oregon Kaufusi (2024, MO 2025), Ronaldo Mulitalo (2025), Royce Hunt (2023, PO 2024), Sione Katoa (2023), Siosifa Talakai (2026), Siteni Taukamo (2024), Teig Wilton (2023), Thomas Hazelton (2024, CO 2025), Toby Rudolf (2024), Wade Graham (2023), William Kennedy (2023)
Players in development: Sam Stonestreet (2023), Josh Finau (2023), Kayal Iro (2024), and Niwhai Puru (2024).
Gains for 2023: Oregon Kaufusi (Eels)
Losers in 2023: retired Andrew Fifita, retired Aiden Tolman, and Warriors’ Luke Metcalf
Craig Fitzgibbon is the coach (2024)
DOLPHINS
The squad for 2023 is as follows: Anthony Milford (2024), Brenko Lee (2024), Connelly Lemuelu (2024), Edrick Lee (2024), Felise Kaufusi (2024), Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (2024), Herman Ese’ese (2023, PO 2024), Isaiya Katoa (2025), Jamayne Isaako (2025), Jarrod Wallace (2024), Jeremy Marshall-King (2024), Jesse Bromwich (2024), JJ Collins (2023), Kenneath Bromwich (2024), Kodi Nikorima (2024), Mark Nicholls (2024), Mason Teague (2024, MO 2025), Oliver Gildart (2023), Poasa Faamausili (2023), Ray Stone (2024), Robert Jennings (2024, MO 2025), Sean O’Sullivan (2025), Tesi Niu (2023), Tom Gilbert (2025), and Valynce Te Whare (2024).
Harrison Graham (2023), Jack Bostock (2023), Jeremiah Simbiken (2024 CO 2025), and Michael Roberts (2023) are development players.
Wayne Bennett is the coach (2025)
TITAN
The squad for 2023 is as follows: Aaron Schoupp (2025), AJ Brimson (2026), Alofi’ana Khan-Pereira (2023), Beau Fermor (2026), Brian Kelly (2023), Chris Randall (2024), Erin Clark (2025), Isaac Liu (2024), Jacob Alick (2023, CO 2024), Jaimin Jollife (2024), Jayden Campbell (2024), Joe Stimson (2024), Jojo Fifita (2025), Joseph Vuna (2023), Kieran Foran (2024), Klese Haas (2024), Moeaki Fotuaika (2024), Patrick Herbert (2023), Paul Turner (2023), Phillip Sami (2024), Sam McIntyre (2023), Sam Verrills (2024), Tanah Boyd (2024), Thomas Weaver (2024), Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (2024, MO 2024, 2024), Toby Sexton (2024).
Players in development: Tony Francis (2023), Josiah Pahulu (2023), Keano Kini (2024), and Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui (2023).
Gainers in 2023: Chris Randall (Knights), Joe Stimson (Bulldogs), Aaron Schoupp (Bulldogs), Kieran Foran (Sea Eagles), Sam Verrills (Roosters),
Losses for 2023 include: Corey Thompson (retired), Herman Ese’ese (Dolphins), Greg Marzhew (Knights), Sam Lisone (Leeds), and Jarrod Wallace (Dolphins).
Keenan Palasia’s (Broncos) gains in 2024
Justin Holbrook is the coach (2024).
SEA EAGLES
The squad for 2023 is as follows: Alec Tu’itavake (2023), Ben Trbojevic (2023), Ben Condon (2025), Brad Parker (2023), Christian Tuipulotu (2024), Daly Cherry-Evans (2025), Ethan Bullemor (2023), Haumole Olakau’atu (2025), Jake Trbojevic (2026), Jason Saab (2026), Josh Aloiai (2023), Josh Schuster (2024), Kaeo Weekes (2023), Karl Lawton (2024), Kelma Tuilagi (2025), Morgan Boyle (2023), Morgan Harper (2023), Raymond Vaega (2027), Sean Keppie (2026), Taniela Paseka (2024), Tom Trbojevic (2026), Toafofoa Sipley (2023), Tolutau Koula (2024), Viliami Fifita (2024), Zac Fulton (2024).
Players in development: Fletcher M
