It has been revealed Stephen Crichton blindsided the Panthers with his intentions to leave before the club had the chance to table him a new offer to stay at Penrith.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported the Panthers were set to table a revised offer to Crichton’s management on Monday, before the star centre phoned coach Ivan Cleary to advise him he was leaving the club at the end of the 2023 season.
On the eve of the crunch meeting, Crichton made the decision to tell the club he would pursue opportunities elsewhere in 2024, before informing his teammates on Tuesday morning.
Watch every game LIVE & ad-break free during play is on FOX LEAGUE with Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
Crichton never received the Panthers’ new offer, with a press release sent out by the club detailing his departure, at the same time the meeting was due to take place.
The fact Penrith were unable to table a new offer adds weight to the theory, Crichton’s deal to join Cameron Ciraldo, Viliame Kikau and Matt Burton at the Bulldogs is done.
Privately, the Panthers held concerns Crichton’s time at the club was coming to an end for some time.
The Daily Telegraph reported last week that Crichton’s management was “growing concerned that the club prioritised the re-signings of Panthers teammates Liam Martin, Brian To’o and Izack Tago” ahead of the Origin centre.
MORE NRL NEWS
WHISPERS: Two outside chances to snare Crichton amid Dogs-Dolphins tug-of-war
‘LACKED RESPECT’: Players lead club boycotts in protest against NRL over CBA mess
‘TRY TO GET HOT AND SEXY’: Smith delivers gold in first Roosters interview
TRANSFER CENTRE: Crichton to depart Panthers at end of 2023 as rival clubs circle
However, the Panthers did put forward a reported three-year extension offer to Crichton in May, which was rejected at the time.
At that same time the club were trying to lock up Izack Tago and Brian To’o, who both share the same management as Crichton, with the Blues centre’s negotiations stalling.
It was believed Crichton’s management rejected the deal as Crichton was on the verge of his Origin debut, which had thew potential to drive up his asking price.
Crichton could have added an estimated $100,000 to his Panthers extension annually, a figure which could be closer to $300,000 at his new club.
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
‘Trying to get hot, sexy and fit’ | 00:59
The Panthers waited through an Origin series, finals series and World Cup, as well as the delayed Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations.
Once the salary cap was finalised by the NRL last week, the Panthers finally were in a position to make a new offer to Crichton, but it was too late.
Penrith maintain they had a substantial offer for Crichton, but it would not have matched the $800,000 his management were seeking from rivals before the increase to the salary cap.
Adding to the Panthers’ concerns was that Crichton’s management only asked for a short-term extension.
Stream Over 50 Sports Live & On-Demand with Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
Marshall-King’s lofty goals for 2023 | 02:13
Penrith felt this was a sign Crichton was already gone, before even hearing their revised offer, which is believed to be $750,000 a year.
The Bulldogs are the overwhelming favourites to sign Crichton, but Canterbury coach and former Penrith assistant Cameron Ciraldo maintains he would not chase Panthers players until they had decided to move on.
That makes it interesting that Crichton decided to tell the Panthers he was moving on, before a decision on his new deal was made public.
Crichton is reportedly privately unhappy with how Penrith conducted his contract negotiations, which may have contributed to his decision to move on.
