r/nrl • u/DJPK84 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs • 2d ago
As Nicho Hynes was being heckled by Bulldogs fans as he went up the tunnel, Stephen Crichton ran after him to offer some words of encouragement. He then returned to the field for media duties and to be with teammates. Class act.
https://x.com/app85/status/1806662999123664948?s=46&t=FcpoI_L4h3jxciesScTrKQ130
u/the_orange_president Jamaica Reggae Warriors 2d ago
Legend… my respect for that dude continues to grow
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u/Strong_Ad5188 Illawarra Cutters 2d ago
Critta has been the likely candidate for Captain of the year and this pretty much seals it.
Even the most cynical critic of NRL players who think good sportsmanship is for PR, should see he does this spontaneously, just to check on a fellow player who had a tough loss.
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u/Worried-Category-761 I love my footy 2d ago
Haven't heard one bad thing about Critta. Really respect his attitude.
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u/whyareyouallinmyroom Penrith Panthers 2d ago
He did pull a Raiders player into a try celebration that one time.
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u/len4872 South Sydney Rabbitohs 2d ago
That was objectively hilarious. Just trying to spread the love
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u/whyareyouallinmyroom Penrith Panthers 2d ago
Yeah in the cold light of day it’s extremely strong shithousery.
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u/beasllie North Queensland Cowboys 2d ago
Joe Tapine was it?
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u/whyareyouallinmyroom Penrith Panthers 2d ago
Yep just went back and rewatched it, was indeed Joe. It was a really slick try as well.
Boy that team was exuberant after every try. Compared to the side now that just seem like terminators going about their business they look like they won the premiership every time they scored, the fanatical drive and enthusiasm that’s created this juggernaut is pretty clear to see in retrospect.
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u/McGarnacIe Canberra Raiders 2d ago
Not only one of the best players in the game, but with captaining the dogs this year, I reckon he's maturing into a really good leader too.
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u/Lady_Penrhyn1 Melbourne Storm 🏳️🌈 2d ago
Really starting to like Critta. Outstanding player but more importantly, seems like an amazing young man.
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u/wowzap Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 2d ago
Little known fact about Critta: he's only 23 years old
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u/M_Keating Hamiso 4 Origin 🏳️🌈 2d ago
No one has ever said that. Ever.
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u/spin182 Parramatta Eels 2d ago
He was also a beach sprint sprinter
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u/nounverbyou Brisbane Broncos 2d ago
He always returns his shopping trolley to the correct location when he is finished
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u/JoeyJoJunior Dargons 2d ago
I thought he was 24 and you took a year off, but on he is actually 23. Is he magically getting younger maybe.
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u/wallitron Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 1d ago
When you go back up the tunnel you become a year younger.
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u/toyoto New Zealand Warriors 2d ago
Honestly, I didn't know that until the match thread last night
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u/Lets_Go_Why_Not Penrith Panthers 2d ago
And I only learned that Nico Hynes is 28 today in one of these threads. Big 24 hours for age-related news :)
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u/whyareyouallinmyroom Penrith Panthers 2d ago
That came as a big shock to me. I was sure he was 27.
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u/zeitgeistbouncer NSW Blues 2d ago
Can Critta hurry up and be captain of everything already?
Dude plays like a boss, has winning as his default, and by all accounts seems to be a fuckin' legend.
Legitimately the most impressive 'has everything' player of this generation IMO, and the fucker is still barely getting started.
I sincerely hope we get to watch him be everything these early years hint at being possible, cause Rugby League deserves someone like that at the forefront.
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u/Joh951518 Redcliffe Dolphins 2d ago
I honestly think he should have been NSW captain.
Obviously a good leader, captains at club level, and unlike Jurbo we’re all pretty confident he will be in that team for the next 5-7 years minimum.
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u/mathewl832 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 🏳️🌈 2d ago
Barnett in for Jurbo game 3, Critta captain.
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u/Joh951518 Redcliffe Dolphins 2d ago
As a QLDer, how about you add McInnes back and keep Jurbo please.
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u/Chickenjbucket Auckland Warriors 1d ago
Personally think Yeo is the real captain. Jake absorbs intensity in the first 20, Yeo comes on and controls the game from there. Wouldn’t be surprised if Madge has that written in his playbook
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u/RyanPurdler-Penriff I ❤️ Todd Smith 🏳️🌈 1d ago
Madge also seems to dislike the media …
He’s moved the Origin base from Homebush/Coogee to Leura .. One of the journos that did that AMA here mentioned that as being a big difference between Origin coverage this year vs last …
Freddy basically threw the Origin camp open to the media - and was doing live crosses to channel 9 from within camp, whilst Madge apparently let the journos film the players warm up (cos he had to) then kicked them all out …
Leura is a smart choice really from that perspective , middle of winter you’re not going to get a lot of kids approaching players for selfies , players aren’t out and about in the community and you can limit journos access to the players .. It’s close enough everyone can get there , but far enough away he can keep the camp semi-closed …
I would imagine the NSW Origin captain would have a fair few media commitments…
Having Jurbo and Yeo co-captain makes a lot of sense then … Jurbo gets wheeled out for all the media commitments and starts the game , but only plays 25% of the game … Yeo plays the last 75% of the game and gets to stay in camp when Jurbo is occupied doing media …
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u/hodgesisgod- Penrith Panthers 1d ago
After everything Madge has been through in recent years I could totally understand why he might dislike the media.
Freddy is employed by chanel 9 so I could also understand why he did that. He is live right now on the Sunday footy show. He always knew he had a gig with channel 9 despite what happened with his coaching career.
I agree that the Jurbo / Yeo combo makes sense.
In addition to the reasons you mentioned above, it allows Cleary to become captain in future years if they choose to go down that path without having to take the captain off Yeo.
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u/BigDickBandit89 Wests Tigers 2d ago
Make critta captain go on a run like Pat Cummins when cumdog became captain for Australia.
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u/whyareyouallinmyroom Penrith Panthers 2d ago
I really hope the league pushes To’o, Luai and Critta to the forefront as voices of the enormous Rugby League community they represent. There are no Polynesian or Melanesian personalities in the media or even really administration and coaching.
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u/zeitgeistbouncer NSW Blues 2d ago edited 2d ago
Totally down for that ay. Every one a mad competitor who's crushing it wherever they're at. And next year they'll cover three teams who could all be at the top or heading there again and that'd be sick.
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u/NotAmericanDontCare I love my footy 2d ago
I'm not sure you know where luai is going
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u/zeitgeistbouncer NSW Blues 2d ago
Luai, Turuva, Api, and the crop of young guys coming through have me cautiously optimistic about their prospects.
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u/NotAmericanDontCare I love my footy 1d ago
I love the tigers, but I just don't see it.
Every year they sign a good player
Then they still play badly, and half their team try and leave
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u/zeitgeistbouncer NSW Blues 1d ago
Same with the doggies for about 3 years now. At a certain point, with a winner coming in, things tipped for 'em. Hopefully for the Tigs too.
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u/ThunderShark97 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 2d ago
And they're legends as well, the fact they've said they wear headgears to show junior players it's cool to be safe is awesome.
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u/whyareyouallinmyroom Penrith Panthers 1d ago
Huh did not know that but was wondering. Critta started post that ugly injury and then To’o started wearing it to take the piss but it stuck obviously.
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u/ThunderShark97 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 1d ago
Yep that was the reason they started wearing it, but To'o stated the reason they kept wearing it after annoying Critta and aside from safety was to show kids its cool to wear them
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u/No_Music1509 Penrith Panthers 2d ago
Hard.. they have real good chemistry together, I’d Defs tune in to watch a segment with those boys
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u/guppyroad007 2d ago
Sonny Bill......
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u/whyareyouallinmyroom Penrith Panthers 1d ago
Yeah he really did not cut it as a media personality. I haven’t seen him pop up in a year or two.
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u/squat_bench_press Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 2d ago
Blessed we’ve been able to watch his career grow from a young age. I’m so glad he is our captain.
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u/SanctuFaerie South Queensland Crushers 1d ago
I hope Samoa becomes a Tier 1 nation and he stays loyal to them, purely for Queensland benefit.
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u/TommyToyotama NSW Blues 2d ago
I’m kind of bitter that it took leaving Penrith for everyone to recognise what a legend this guy is.
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u/The_PM Penrith Panthers 🏳️🌈 2d ago
I legit think Nicho may be suffering some kind of depression at the moment. At best he has confidence/esteem issues. He's not the kind of player that deserves heckling no matter how poorly he's going. He's one of the good guys in the game.
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u/mickyb85 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 2d ago
He’s spoken before about his lows of depression. He’s also spoken about how he does better when he feels wanted and people talk him up.
Plus also then the stuff with his mum…
I really feel for the guy hey and hope he comes out on top…
His origin runs have been brutal. This could have well been different if he had latrell as centre over no centre . Plus the way Edwards played over Teddy.
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u/bsixidsiw Dolphins 2d ago
NSW players got to stop doing nice things at this rate Im going to like the whole team.
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u/ApocalypticPanther Penrith Panthers 🏳️🌈 2d ago
Critta really is a class act, mature beyond his years
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u/greywolfau Wests Tigers 2d ago
I heard Critta spends his spare time in Chemist Warehouses across Sydney helping people back to their feet.
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u/ClintGrant Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 🏳️🌈 2d ago
Hynes and Heinz sound the same but it hits different when you read it
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u/merlin6014 Penrith Panthers 2d ago
I miss critta so much - was always and I guess still is my favourite. The other night on origin the commentators said latrell was the best centre in the game - sorry what critta shits all over him. I’m not a hater - I like latrell too - but cmon
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u/bulldogs1974 NSW Blues 2d ago
Critta is the most consistent, by far. Latrell can boss his opponent centre / backrow defences, but his performances fluctuate.
Critta is also younger, and becoming a better player every game. Latrell is or has been at his peak in my opinion.
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u/mathewl832 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 🏳️🌈 2d ago
+1 on the consistency. Latrell/Manu might have higher ceilings but they aren't as consistent and don't always play there. Critta is also the best defender at centre I've seen since Jmoz. It's not just about scoring and breaking tackles.
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u/Tumbleweed-Ornery Penrith Panthers 2d ago
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=a9ev9AgL-8s
Still brings a tear to the eye
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u/bulldogs1974 NSW Blues 2d ago
Critta is the most consistent, by far. Latrell can boss his opponent centre / backrow defences, but his performances fluctuate.
Critta is also younger, and becoming a better player every game. Latrell is or has been at his peak in my opinion.
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u/bulldogs1974 NSW Blues 2d ago
The very best thing about Steven Crichton is it is never about himself. He doesn't come across as an arrogant footballer, even though he is at the top of his game and always improving. He seems extremely humble and even shy when he is questioned about the good things he dies around the game. His team, team mates, club , family all come first before himself. He is just a super solid human with a big heart who cares about those around him. Many young men could learn so much from him, even if he is still quite a young man. His parents should be extremely proud of him. He is a born leader and a man without ego. He is great for our team, our game and our society. Keep it up, Steven!
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u/False_Rice_5197 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 2d ago
Vote for him as Australian of the year confirmed
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u/bulldogs1974 NSW Blues 1d ago
Maybe young Australian of the year.... Seriously! He will be rewarded many times in his career as well as his life.
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u/TRTVitorBelfort Melbourne Storm 2d ago
Critta is going to be the biggest loss for Penrith.
Out of all the players they’ve had to let go I think we’re looking at him being a generational player and someone they probably should’ve found a boat for or something like that.
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u/KazeEnigma Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 2d ago
Man, I hate how much I like Critta, just seems absolute class human.
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u/toomuchsoup Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 2d ago
What a legend. Easily my favourite player that isn’t a Shark
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u/DeeKew005 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 2d ago
Dogs have done a very good job in recruitment in the last 18-24 months, starting with Josh Addo Carr. JAC brought in some much needed hype in the squad and genuinely looked absolutely ecstatic every time one of his team mates scored.
Adding Burton, Critta and dare I say it, Mahoney to the squad and the way the boys all get around each other is a joy to watch after the last few years of disappointment.
Mahoney is just Moicheal Ennois reincarnated, you hate it when he plays for another team but love it when he plays for your team.
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u/squat_bench_press Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 2d ago
So proud of him. He was also an outstanding student at my old high school.
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u/Desert-Noir I love my footy 2d ago
Every new thing I learn about Critta, I like him even more, what a quality human.
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u/joeyfknbrioche Penrith Panthers 2d ago
if critta was still at panthers everyone would be calling him cocky. cos he’s at a struggling club he’s a class act. (i’m not salty he left)
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u/I_Like_Vitamins Brisbane Broncos 2d ago
Great bloke. He can be super competitive on field without being a grub, and does everything right off field.
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u/noplacecold Penrith Panthers 2d ago
Amazing bloke, but I’m glad we kept whoever the fuck we kept and let him go
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u/chris2712 Penrith Panthers 2d ago
His replacement couldn't have been more of a fuck wit if he tried lol
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u/ImpressionFeisty8359 Brisbane Broncos 2d ago
The more you hear about him, the more you can't hate him. He is the ultimate competitor and has achieved it all at 23 a few times over. Also an amazing leader.
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u/ArghMoss North Queensland Cowboys 1d ago
I love guys like Crighton who are quality players, massive pests on the field and seem like quality blokes off the field.
Ronaldo Multialo is another one in that mold.
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u/Longjumping_Map_4670 Brisbane Broncos 2d ago
Realistically the bloke should probs be the kangaroo skipper at some point soon. Much greater leadership ability than Cleary and teddy
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u/copacetic51 National Rugby League 2d ago
Critter should be the NSW captain. If NSW lose the series, the selection of Jake Trbojevic in the team at all, let alone as captain, will be a major reason.
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u/AndySemantic2 North Sydney Bears 2d ago
Based on this news I just know we are going to bend QLD over in a couple of weeks
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u/dhoo8450 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 2d ago
Still wish we had Brenko Lee in that right centre position
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u/wallitron Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 1d ago
If Tony Williams can play 6, he's probably also your best option at centre.
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2d ago
[deleted]
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u/CronksLeftShoulder Eastern Suburbs Roosters 1d ago
Imagine making this about you, especially when the player in question was 14 years old and still kicking around St Mary's and drawing a parallel between an individual and the club he plays for, and the behaviour of fans 9 years ago.
Impressive. Good from you.
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u/96Mute96 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 2d ago edited 2d ago
Wow so arrogant
Edit: Guess the Penrith arrogant jokes are forgotten
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u/mwilkins1644 Brisbane Broncos 2d ago
People on this sub don't understand the greatness of a good, subtle sarcastic joke.
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u/96Mute96 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 2d ago
They acting like they weren’t the ones flooding every Penrith match thread with how arrogant Critta is
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u/stumpyoftheshire Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 2d ago
I'm genuinely curious to how you justify this statement?
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u/Lets_Go_Why_Not Penrith Panthers 2d ago
I'm thinking sarcasm? Dude forgot the /s.
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u/TommyToyotama NSW Blues 2d ago
He didn’t forget it. It should be plainly obvious.
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u/Lets_Go_Why_Not Penrith Panthers 2d ago
The Internet has ruined a lot of things, and the pithy use of well-directed sarcasm is right near the top of the list.
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u/tezzaanator2 New Zealand Warriors 2d ago
“Hey look at this player being a good bloke and helping out an opposing player. He must be arrogant?” Bro how do you make that jump?
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u/tezzaanator2 New Zealand Warriors 2d ago
“Hey look at this player being a good bloke and helping out an opposing player. He must be arrogant?” Bro how do you make that jump?
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u/96Mute96 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 2d ago
That is the joke sir.
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u/tezzaanator2 New Zealand Warriors 2d ago
2/10 on the joke
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u/96Mute96 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 2d ago
The exact same journos were the ones flooding media about how arrogant he is two years ago.
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u/InSuspendedAnimation I love my footy 2d ago
2/10 is probably what the Warriors will be for the rest of the season.
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u/CronksLeftShoulder Eastern Suburbs Roosters 1d ago
I'd say "they're a good chance to beat your team" but you're fairless. Sort it out
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u/ForsakenFox6681 I love my footy 2d ago edited 2d ago
Can definitely be seen as that if you have the ability to go beyond being one dimensional which is almost impossible for most drones these days though 🤣
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u/TobiasFunkeBlueMan I love my footy 2d ago
He also had a go and mouthed off at some of Queenslanders after nsw scored a try. Class act /s
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u/CronksLeftShoulder Eastern Suburbs Roosters 1d ago
Lmao right up there with Thurston feeding Pearce in 2015. Very relevant in this conversation. Keep it up.
Why can't people make a distinction between being competitive and being a good bloke off the field?
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u/ForsakenFox6681 I love my footy 2d ago
I don’t like him. Too arrogant for my liking and quote grubby and disrespectful at times. Dylan edwards though is a good humble mature human as is cam Mcinnis and Jake Turbo. I’ll get downvotes for having a different opinion as that’s frowned upon
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u/Greedy_Assistance_83 NSW Blues 2d ago
So if he was white with blond hair you would like him?
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u/ForsakenFox6681 I love my footy 2d ago
That’s irrelevant to me
My fav player is the hammer by the way....
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u/_Kozik Brisbane Broncos 2d ago
I hate how much I like Critta. Great player, love him in the doggies fit. Hate him in the blues jersey. That said deep down I know he's great