Teaching 'Dogs New Tricks: How Critta is Bringing Best out of Teammates
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Stephen Crichton didn’t know it, but the Bulldogs captain was having an influence at Belmore even before he agreed to join the club this season.
Jacob Kiraz, the Lebanon World Cup star who would have been 2022 NRL rookie of the year if not for the emergence of Jeremiah Nanai, has revealed how he would study footage of Crichton while he was playing for Penrith.
Since his arrival at Canterbury, Crichton has become a mentor to Kiraz and centre Bronson Xerri, who regularly asks him to watch video footage of his performances and seeks advice on how he can improve.
Kiraz said he wanted to model his game on Crichton, who is regarded as the best defensive centre in the game and can play virtually any position required.
“I was watching him last year before he signed with the club,” Kiraz told NRL.com. “I used to watch his clips. He was the player I always watched so it was mad when he signed.
“I used to watch his defence, everyone just looks at all the fancy stuff he does, but his defence is the best. He is the best defensive centre in the comp.
“He can play multiple positions, on any side [of the field], and he just fits like a glove - even in Origin.
“That's something I took advice from him about and I said, ‘that's where I want to be’.”
The 22-year-old has been one of the stars of Canterbury’s rise to their first finals series since 2016, with his bruising defence and strong runs from the backfield.
A brace for Kiraz
Having played all 24 matches of the regular season, Kiraz scored 11 tries, averaged 190 running metres per game and produced 108 tackle breaks.
Previously regarded as a right winger, Kiraz has this season played on both wings, as well as centre, and fullback.
“I just want to be that person that the club, the coaching staff and the boys can rely on if there's injuries or something happens and they know that I can fill in any position,” Kiraz said.
“I've got to give a huge credit to Critta for that. As soon as he came to the club, he started teaching me to play both sides and to play any position, because you never know what could happen in a game.
“I feel like ever since then I've just been training, especially in the pre-season, to play every position and I have practiced both sides, so I have no weaknesses.
“He's helped me a huge amount with that, and I got to the point where Critta’s been in Origin and I had to fill in [at centre], and I was confident to fill in.
“I wasn't worried about playing on the left or the right side, so I’ve got to give a huge credit to him and the coaching staff for putting faith in me.”
Xerri, who was thrown a lifeline by the Bulldogs after serving a four-year doping ban, has also sought guidance from Crichton as he has attempted to regain the form that had him touted as a future Origin star at the Sharks.
The pair were rivals at junior level but Xerri had no hesitation in asking Crichton to mentor him.
Xerri on the spot for a double
“We kind of sat down and did a lot of homework together,” Crichton said.
“He came and asked me to sit down and do some video together so we have been doing video together ever since the start and on whoever he is going up against, too.
“I played against Bronson and we used to go at it when we were younger. He started in NSW Cup and in the pre-season he was struggling a lot but I could see the potential that he had.
“He has never flinched once and he has been playing really good footy for us.”
Xerri admits that 12 months ago he didn’t even watch the NRL finals series as he completed the ban that threatened to end his brief NRL career.
However, after being challenged by Canterbury coach Cameron Ciraldo about how much he wanted to fulfil his NRL dream during the pre-season, Xerri has established himself as a regular member of the starting line-up.
“There was a training session where I couldn’t finish it and Ciro came up to me and said, ‘do you still want this’. I was so gassed I couldn’t even really speak but I said, ‘yeh, I still want it’,” Xerri said.
“I knew coming in it was going to be hard, but I am grateful I got through it and to the staff and team-mates for helping me. I believed in myself and once I got the opportunity I haven’t looked back.
“Critta has been massive, not just for myself, but the whole team. I know that if there is anything I need or any advice I can go straight to him, so I think we are all blessed to have Critta at this club.”
