- Crichton calls on police to be more tolerant of football fans
- Bulldogs fans have been celebrating
- The Bulldogs will play Manly in Sunday’s elimination final
Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton has called on NSW police not to fine fans who celebrate in the street if Canterbury win Sunday’s elimination final against Manly.
Diehard Dogs fans have been out in force in recent weeks celebrating their team’s success by honking car horns, beating drums and singing songs on the streets of Belmore.
It is the club’s first appearance in an NRL final since 2016 and some fans have found themselves in trouble with police, who have issued $400 fines and demerit points to fans who honk their horns.
Crichton believes that police should not fine passionate fans.
“Yes, I think so,” he said. News Corporation Asked whether police should reconsider fines.
‘Celebrations do not come with bad intentions.
‘They’ve been coming out in the last few weeks to support us, it’s been crazy to see.
“Our fans have been through some tough years before this one and all the kids love the fact that this year they have something to smile about. But we respect the work of the police.”
Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton has called on NSW police to be tolerant of fans celebrating in the street if Canterbury win Sunday’s elimination final against Manly.
Dogs fans have had reason to celebrate in recent weeks with the club making their first final appearance since 2016.
Dog lovers have also expressed surprise at the severity of the fines.
“A $400 fine for honking? Really?” one supporter told the Daily Telegraph.
“I would never be against the police doing their job. We are glad the police are there for security reasons. But they should be more lenient with us, the fans.
“If we get to the grand final, I’ll have to camp at Burwood Road all week.”
The losers of Sunday’s clash see their final dreams dashed, while the winners advance to a semi-final against the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium next Saturday.
Crichton avoids the suggestion that he is the Bulldogs’ best buy in 20 years.
Instead, it sheds light on coach Cameron Ciraldo and what he has done since arriving as the Bulldogs’ coach early last year.
Crichton first played with Ciraldo at under-20 level at Penrith, and compares his relationship with him to that of father and son.
The center also makes no secret of the fact that Ciraldo’s appointment to the Bulldogs was a big reason for his own move.
Bulldogs fans have been taking to the streets of Belmore to celebrate.
“The trust he places in me to go out and do my job is enormous,” Crichton said.
We definitely wouldn’t be here without him.
“He’s exactly the same as he was then, the confidence he transmits to the players and the way he trains us.”
After spending so much time relegated to the bottom of the table, Ciraldo has taken the Bulldogs from a disaster on the field to a legitimate force.
Employing the same defensive system he installed at Penrith, the Bulldogs were ranked No. 1 in the league in that department until the final two weeks of the regular season.
Eight times this year they have kept an opponent scoreless in the second half, with Ciraldo adapting Penrith’s old system to Canterbury’s smaller, more mobile pack.
“I was planning to sit down with him and reflect on this year,” Crichton said.
“I don’t think he realises what he has done for the club. I’m very happy that he is finally getting the recognition he deserves.”
“Nobody knows the defensive system like he does. It’s good to finally see the credit he deserves and the recognition everyone is giving him.”
“I’m very proud of him.”