djdeep4172
Kennel Enthusiast
- Joined
- Sep 29, 2014
- Messages
- 3,687
- Reaction score
- 6,898
As Stephen Crichton prepares to lead Canterbury back to the glory years, the new captain is trying to emulate one of the most famous Bulldogs - Sonny Bill Williams.
Crichton is keen to make an impact away from the NRL, as he looks to branch out into community work on top of his on field duties, just like Williams.
It begins with school visits, with the 23-year-old wanting to simply make kids smile.
"I always pinch myself (because of) the amount of kids that look up to myself," he told 9News Sydney on Thursday.
"I still see myself as that young kid as well.
"If I can see them smile at school and they can tell their friends how much of a good day it was, then it makes me happy."
His new role as Bulldogs captain has encouraged the young star to emulate the community work of Williams, who was a Canterbury star between 2004 to 2008.
"Listening to one of his podcasts about how he always gave back to the kids, because he knew how much of the experience was for them," Crichton said.
"The way he carried himself on the field and after games, when he was out in public, how much of a down to earth human he was."
The 23-year-old has even rubbed shoulders with the NRL legend, admitting he still feels like a kid in a candy shop whenever he gets to see Williams.
"I have met him a few times actually, when he (was) doing interviews and that. I still pinch myself that I get to say hi to him and I get to talk to him as well," Crichton said.
But the best advice he has received so far from his short time with the Bulldogs has come from his parents.
"They just started giving me the coach talk, about being more mature on and off the field. And to go get a better haircut," Crichton said.
He feels like he has matured immensely, but admits there's still work to do on his looks to satisfy his mum and dad.
"Yeah, still working on the haircut bit," Crichton said.
When asked if he knows when his Bulldogs will face his old side, the Panthers, Crichton admitted he's circled it in his calendar already
"Yeah, round 10, out at the Panthers. It's going to be pretty cool, but (we've) still got a lot of work to do until then.
In the meantime, the Bulldogs will take on Eels in their round one clash.
Crichton is keen to make an impact away from the NRL, as he looks to branch out into community work on top of his on field duties, just like Williams.
It begins with school visits, with the 23-year-old wanting to simply make kids smile.
"I always pinch myself (because of) the amount of kids that look up to myself," he told 9News Sydney on Thursday.
"I still see myself as that young kid as well.
"If I can see them smile at school and they can tell their friends how much of a good day it was, then it makes me happy."
His new role as Bulldogs captain has encouraged the young star to emulate the community work of Williams, who was a Canterbury star between 2004 to 2008.
"Listening to one of his podcasts about how he always gave back to the kids, because he knew how much of the experience was for them," Crichton said.
"The way he carried himself on the field and after games, when he was out in public, how much of a down to earth human he was."
The 23-year-old has even rubbed shoulders with the NRL legend, admitting he still feels like a kid in a candy shop whenever he gets to see Williams.
"I have met him a few times actually, when he (was) doing interviews and that. I still pinch myself that I get to say hi to him and I get to talk to him as well," Crichton said.
But the best advice he has received so far from his short time with the Bulldogs has come from his parents.
"They just started giving me the coach talk, about being more mature on and off the field. And to go get a better haircut," Crichton said.
He feels like he has matured immensely, but admits there's still work to do on his looks to satisfy his mum and dad.
"Yeah, still working on the haircut bit," Crichton said.
When asked if he knows when his Bulldogs will face his old side, the Panthers, Crichton admitted he's circled it in his calendar already
"Yeah, round 10, out at the Panthers. It's going to be pretty cool, but (we've) still got a lot of work to do until then.
In the meantime, the Bulldogs will take on Eels in their round one clash.
