Stephen Crichton spotted in telling move as former team Panthers make NRL grand final

Stephen Crichton was spotted sitting with the families of the Penrith Panthers' players on Saturday night in a perfect example of the culture Ivan Cleary has created at the club. The Panthers will play in their fifth-straight grand final after dispatching Cronulla 26-6 in their preliminary final, and will shoot for a fourth-consecutive premiership in the decider against the Storm.

To make five-straight grand finals is nothing short of astonishing, particularly considering the plethora of big-name stars the Panthers have lost due to the salary cap. The likes of Crichton, Api Koroisau, Matt Burton, Spencer Leniu and Viliame Kikau have all been forced to leave the Panthers in recent years because they can't afford to keep them, while Jarome Luai will join the Wests Tigers in 2025.

But the bond that former players still share with their ex-teammates and the club was epitomised by Crichton on Saturday night. The Bulldogs captain was seen sitting with the families of Panthers players at Accor Stadium, and still clearly considers himself part of the Penrith family.

One fan wrote on social media: "Critta (Crichton) sitting amongst the Panthers family. Not used to watching footy at this time of the year." Another replied: "Was he really? Amongst the families?! That speaks volumes." While a third added: "He’ll always be a part of this club no matter what jersey. I love the support these boys show for each other. Even Api last year."

Stephen Crichton 'brothers' with former Panthers teammates

Crichton has a particularly close bond with To'o and Luai and describes the Panthers players as his 'brothers'. Their families are still close despite the fact Crichton now plays for the rival Bulldogs.

Speaking last year, Crichton opened up about how difficult it was for him to depart the Panthers and leave To'o and Luai behind. “'Bizza' (To'o) was the first person I told," Crichton revealed. "He and his partner were pretty emotional. I grew up with them and he's been my best mate ever since footy started.

“It was pretty sad telling him. I told him first out of all the boys, but I’m just trying to lap it up with Bizza and our last few sessions together. We’re heaps tight. Just the bond that we’ve had and success that we’ve had brought us together.

"Just not on the field, but off the field it’s just always fun, always mucking around. Our families are pretty close, too. We go to the same church as well, so we've kind of been together ever since we were young. We’re not brothers by blood, but we are brothers by choice. If I don’t see him for three months, we can catch up one day and it’s like we’ve never been apart.”

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Friendship sparked speculation Brian To'o wanted out of Panthers

To'o said: “It was a bit of mixed emotions when he told me because I was happy for him, but I was also emotional that he was leaving. We’ve been in the system together for a very long time, and even off field he’s like a brother to me and someone that I look up to. To see him earn the rewards for his family by setting himself up for the next few years is great to see, but it does make me emotional because we’ve achieved a lot together.”

There was speculation last month that To'o wanted out of the Panthers, and it all stemmed from conversations he had with Crichton and Luai in NSW State of Origin camp. Crichton and Luai have taken big-money deals with the Bulldogs and Tigers respectively, but To'o is still on relatively little money at Penrith. There's no doubt To'o could get more money elsewhere, but is remaining loyal to the Panthers for the time being.