Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton has reassured fans he’s feeling much better after a neck scare during Sunday night’s match, but the star centre admits he’s concerned that ongoing nerve damage could one day lead to a more serious issue.
The incident occurred late in the first half of Canterbury’s 20-0 win over the Knights, when Crichton went down clutching his shoulder and neck after tackling forward Jermaine McEwen. While there were initial fears of significant injury, the 24-year-old managed to play out the rest of the game and is expected to line up in the Good Friday clash against the Rabbitohs.
However, Crichton revealed the problem stems from an injury suffered last year during a game in Townsville, where a tackle by three Cowboys players left his right arm completely numb. He missed the following week and said Sunday’s incident felt eerily similar.
“My body’s felt fine overall, but that nerve issue is something I’ve been dealing with since last year,” Crichton told NewsWire. “It flares up when I get hit in the same spot — it doesn’t have to be a hard hit, but it just makes my whole arm go dead.”
Crichton explained that it’s a nerve near the back of his head that was pinched, affecting the sensation in his arm. Because of its nature, the injury can’t be protected with tape or padding, meaning he has to be extra cautious with how he tackles.
“I had scans and they showed a pinched nerve. It’s the one that connects to my arm and controls the feeling,” he said.
While he’s able to continue playing, Crichton admitted the recurring issue worries him — particularly the possibility that one day the feeling might not return.
“My arm just goes dead and it takes time for the feeling to come back. That’s the scary part — what if one day it doesn’t?” he said. “Once the feeling returns, I know I’m good because it’s happened before, but there’s always that fear in the back of my mind.”
Despite the concern, Crichton remains committed to playing and is hopeful things will stay under control. “I always pray for protection out on the field,” he added. “As long as that continues, I think I’ll be all right.”
