The NSW Blues have forced an origin decider with a dominant 38-18 victory over QLD last night.
Bulldogs Captain Stephen Crichton was recently elevated to the NSW leadership group ahead of the must-win game and had a dominant performance on the right edge.
Crichton was impactful in defence, making 12 tackles and proving his leadership skills when he muscled Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow into the in-goal during a crucial momentum swing.
In a high-pressure moment for the Blues, the intercept king stepped up to produce another highlight reel moment. Speaking on radio this morning, Andrew Voss declared it as the best in rugby league:
The Stephen Crichton intercept. That may have been the best intercept I have ever seen.
With the ball in hand Crichton showed his class, running for 108 metres and breaking three tackles. Late in the first half, Crichton produced a try assist as he set Zac Lomax up to score on the wing.
The Bulldogs skipper now returns to Belmore to rejoin teammates ahead of the Round 17 clash with Cronulla at Accor Stadium tomorrow night.
Whilst speaking to the media yesterday, Head Coach Cameron Ciraldo said the Club would see how Crichton pulled up after the Origin clash before making a final decision on whether he would return to the field in tomorrow night's clash.
Cameron Ciraldo Press Conference: Round 17
Crichton was named in the extended squad on Tuesday.
The Bulldogs will be looking to retain their perfect record at home this season when they take on the Sharks, kicking off at 8:00pm under Friday night lights.
Match: Bulldogs v Sharks
Round 17 -
home Team
Bulldogs
away Team
Sharks
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Bulldogs is number 4 Jacob KirazFullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
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Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Blake WilsonWinger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
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Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Bronson XerriCentre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
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Centre for Bulldogs is number 23 Stephen CrichtonCentre for Sharks is number 4 Kayal Iro
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Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Jeral SkeltonWinger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
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Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt BurtonFive-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall
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Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Toby SextonHalfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes
Forwards
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Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max KingProp for Sharks is number 8 Toby Rudolf
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Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed MahoneyHooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
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Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Samuel HughesProp for Sharks is number 10 Oregon Kaufusi
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2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
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2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jaeman Salmon2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Siosifa Talakai
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Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Bailey HaywardLock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes
Interchange
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Interchange for Bulldogs is number 1 Blake TaaffeInterchange for Sharks is number 14 Jack Williams
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Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Josh CurranInterchange for Sharks is number 15 Royce Hunt
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Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Kurtis MorrinInterchange for Sharks is number 16 Thomas Hazelton
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Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Lipoi HopoiInterchange for Sharks is number 21 Teig Wilton
Reserves
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Replacement for Bulldogs is number 22 Harry HayesReplacement for Sharks is number 18 Daniel Atkinson
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Last updated:
