Stephen Crichton has revealed he was granted permission by his wife to play in a potentially season-defining NRL win for Canterbury over the Warriors less than 24 hours after she gave birth to their first child.
After being woken at 4am on Friday, Crichton and wife Leone welcomed daughter Praise into the world at 9.30pm.
Crichton estimated he had four and a half hours sleep between Praise's arrival and his starring role in the Bulldogs' 18-6 win over the New Zealanders on Saturday evening.
The five-eighth celebrated his night off from baby duties with a try and three goals to help move the Bulldogs to within touching distance of the top eight.
"Being there for wifey and seeing what she goes through was a massive motivation for me to come and get strapped up," Crichton said.
"The moment she told me that I could go and play, it was like no matter how tired I was, how sore I was, it probably wasn't as bad as what she was going through.
"To hold my baby last night was the biggest blessing.
"She (my wife) did really well. She's a strong woman and respect to the ladies that go through that."
Crichton marked his try with a cradle-rocking celebration but has already forbidden his daughter from pursuing an NRLW career.
"She's not playing footy, I'm going to put her in soccer," Crichton said.
"To get a try and give that (celebration) to them is pretty cool.
"I've got a lot of nieces and nephews, but it obviously hits different because she's mine, she's going to be a little princess for the rest of her life and I'll be protecting her."
After being stretchered off in the Dogs' loss to Canberra a fortnight ago, Crichton is relishing the chance to help Cameron Ciraldo's men make a charge into the finals places.
Canterbury have won five of their last six games and with Crichton on a left edge that includes back-rower Viliame Kikau and Matt Burton at centre, the Bulldogs captain is buoyed at his side's potential.
"The sky's the limit for the boys, and I'm very excited for the next couple of weeks," Crichton said.
"When I have 'Kiks' outside, you give him the ball and he makes everyone gravitate to him, and then the space kind of opens up for me.
"He's the one making me look good, and also got 'Burto' and (winger) Jethro (Rinakama) so if I can feed them quality ball it's going to make me look good too."
Australian Associated Press
