Six days on from his field-goal heroics in the Dogs' defeat of Manly - and in just his second NRL game in the halves - Crichton showed the poise of a veteran playmaker by guiding Cameron Ciraldo's side to a third win on the spin.
The Samoan international had three assists and kicked five goals on Friday at Cbus Super Stadium, playing on after reeling out of a tackle on Gold Coast fullback Keano Kini late in the first half.
Crichton, who missed game two of the State of Origin series with a shoulder injury, made it to halftime and then soldiered on to put the Titans to bed in the second half.
"That's what we've been seeing at training when he's jumped into that position over the last couple of years," Ciraldo said.
"He's got some really high-level skill that he can bring to that position, but he's learning very quickly on the run as well."
Crichton confirmed after the game that he would be able to accept a NSW call-up if selected by coach Laurie Daley when he names his team on Sunday.
The only injury concern for Ciraldo, as his side claimed a fourth win in five games, was winger Jacob Kiraz, who picked up a rib injury and was replaced by Bronson Xerri.
"The boys have worked really hard to get ourselves back in a position where we're going to have a real crack at the second half of the season," said Ciraldo, whose side are on the bye next week.
"I think tonight, considering the guys we were missing, that was even more impressive."
Crichton was involved in both of Canterbury's first-half tries, creating the space for centre Matt Burton to send Jethro Rinakama in on the left for a 15th-minute opener.
The Dogs captain then showed some wicked deception to set up Josh Curran for his first of the night and give Canterbury a 12-0 halftime lead.
Phillip Sami crossed early into the second half, but a try-saving tackle by Enari Tuala kept the Titans at bay.
After Rinakama notched his second of the game off a crisp Bailey Hayward pass, Crichton came to the fore.
The Dogs No.6 trapped Kini in-goal with a poked kick down the left, and on the ensuing set from the dropout Crichton sent popular prop Max King over for a try on his 150th NRL appearance.
Sami scored two more to seal a hat-trick and cut the Bulldogs' lead to just 12 with seven minutes to go.
But Crichton killed off the game by assisting Curran for his second try to put his side in touching distance of the top eight and bring Gold Coast back down to earth after last week's shock win over Penrith.
"We just played a little bit young tonight," said Titans coach Josh Hannay.
"We searched for a moment to feel good because it wasn't feeling good out there."
8°C