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'Yeah, yeah': Crichton confirms handshake deal with Penrith
Stephen Crichton has admitted he did a handshake deal with Ivan Cleary. Crichton's manager says it never happened.
The drama surrounding Stephen Crichton's future is set to intensify after the Penrith superstar admitted to a handshake deal with coach Ivan Cleary earlier in the year that his new manager is now refuting.
Nine colleague Danny Weidler reported in The Sun Herald on Sunday that Crichton's new management firm, led by agent Sam Ayoub, were "bemused to say the least" in regards to an alleged $1.5 million handshake deal this column revealed a few weeks ago.
The very notion of the handshake deal's existence is being used as a threat against the club, with Weidler on Sunday reporting "the more that is suggested, the greater the chance there could be a problem".
However, in an interview with The Herald during grand final week, unbeknown to Ayoub and not previously published, Crichton was specifically asked if he had vowed to honour the deal Penrith put forward mid-season, which wasn't signed off on as a courtesy from the club to allow the 20-year-old to leave his former manager Mark Stewart in November.
"I heard that you shook hands with Ivan and said 'I'm not going to change my mind, a deal is a deal'. A verbal agreement. Is that right?" Crichton was asked by The Herald on October 18.
"Yeah, yeah," Crichton replied before hinting that he was going to discard the agreement. "I'm just trying to see what's best for me and my family, especially because I'm the only one at home paying off and helping my mum and dad. I really want to get a good deal, good enough so my parents don't have to work any more.
Panthers stars Stephen Crichton, Josh Mansour and Jarome Luai.CREDIT:BROOK MITCHELL
"I'm the only one at home, I'm the oldest one at home as well because my brothers have all moved out of home with their families and kids. My parents are relying on me so, yeah. I'm just trying to sort out what the best deal is for me and my family and what's really going to help us. I want to stay at Penrith, but, yeah."
Crichton was then pressed on the details of his conversation with the coach which left the club of the opinion that his future was committed to Penrith on the three year, $1.5 million deal.
"I've told Ivan that I really want to stay here," Crichton said last month. "But I just want to see what the best deal for my family is."
The Herald contacted Panthers head of football Matt Cameron on Sunday afternoon, but he declined to comment.
Ayoub's argument that Crichton is worth more than $500,000 is valid. The Blues squad member would likely attract offers of around $600,000 to $700,000 elsewhere, such is the talent he possesses. But Penrith are disappointed with how the version of events have changed over time.
Crichton is contracted to Penrith until the end of 2021, however he is now able to talk to rival clubs after becoming a free agent on November 1. Things will escalate once he comes out of NSW Origin camp on Thursday.
The Panthers face an uphill battle trying to retain all their star juniors, which would be aided by the potential release of fan favourite Josh Mansour before the season. The problem for Penrith is that Mansour is also managed by Ayoub, who is expected to push any savings the club gains from Mansour's likely release towards Crichton's new deal. Penrith want to use some of that money to keep the likes of Jarome Luai and Isaah Yeo at the club beyond the end of next season.
