Stephen Crichton has fallen short in his bid to overcome a serious ankle injury to play in Sunday’s semi-final blockbuster with the Panthers, while Canterbury coach Cameron Ciraldo described media coverage labelling his team the “Temu Panthers” as “ridiculous”.

Canterbury will need to upset premiers Penrith in front of a huge crowd at Accor Stadium on Sunday without their captain.

Crichton lasted just 20 minutes against the Storm last Friday night before hobbling from the field with what was later confirmed to be a syndesmosis injury and a mid-foot sprain. But he was determined to give it his all to play against his former club.

“He had a crack at training last night and didn’t quite get there,” Ciraldo said on Saturday. “He did so well to give himself a chance.

“He was on crutches and

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