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AAP
AAP
George Clarke

No guarantee of Bulldogs No.1 jersey: Crichton

Canterbury recruit Stephen Crichton is happy to play fullback, centre or wing for the Bulldogs. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)

New Canterbury recruit Stephen Crichton hasn't been given any assurances over his position at the club but insists he can make a fist of the switch to fullback.

Crichton wasn't due at training until the new year but the former Penrith star arrived at his new club ahead of schedule earlier this week.

The Samoan international was lured away from the Panthers on the premise he could be transformed into a No.1,  despite the likes of Billy Slater arguing his strengths lay as a centre.

Since signing Crichton the Bulldogs have also added Blake Taaffe and Connor Tracey, both of whom have experience in the fullback role. 

"I think putting my best foot forward, showing what I have to offer will (indicate) the role I'll play," Crichton said. 

"I like playing fullback, centre and wing. 

"I don't really have a position just yet ... whichever position I fall into I want to do my job for the team.  

"I'm probably more experienced now than the first time I played fullback.

"I've been learning how to play the position properly behind one of the best in the game in Dylan Edwards.

"It's not my job to pick my side, I'll just try to be as fit as I can." 

Crichton starred for Penrith and won caps for Samoa and NSW as a centre and was solid if unspectacular in his cameos at fullback for the Panthers.

The 23-year-old already has three rings to his name and said he was eager to link up with former Penrith assistant Cameron Ciraldo along with Viliame Kikau and Matt Burton.

Ciraldo's debut season as Bulldogs head coach ended with questions over his methods but Crichton welcome the coach's hard-nosed approach. 

"It's a similar intensity, the boys have been training for five weeks already," Crichton said. 

"A lot of the boys are buying in and motivated to get better, I think that's a really good sign. 

"There's definitely good signs that we're moving in the right direction."

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