After first-choice No.6 Burton suffered a knee injury in Sunday's win over Gold Coast, Dogs coach Cameron Ciraldo had floated Crichton as one contender to fill the void in the halves.
Instead Ciraldo has turned to utility Bailey Hayward to partner Toby Sexton in Sunday's clash with the struggling Eels.
Parramatta coach Jason Ryles has resisted making wholesale changes to his squad, with Ronald Volkman losing the halfback berth to Dean Hawkins.
Former NSW State of Origin forward Ryan Matterson is the 18th man while Josh Addo-Carr is on the Eels' extended bench and could debut against his former club.
Elsewhere, Manly have named Tom Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans to face Canberra despite fears over the fitness of the club's star duo.
Trbojevic (hamstring) and Cherry-Evans (back) were both casualties of last week's 36-16 loss to the Warriors.
The pair have been named to take their place in Sunday's home clash against high-flying Canberra, who are still without captain Joe Tapine for another week due to suspension.
Winger Xavier Savage returns to the Raiders' starting side as youngster Savelio Tamale holds his position on the other flank.
In the opening game of the round, Melbourne could be at full strength for their blockbuster NRL grand final rematch against Penrith with Nelson Asofa-Solomona escaping another ban to take a place on Craig Bellamy's extended bench.
The giant Kiwi missed last year's losing title decider due to a five-week suspension but is free to play in Thursday's AAMI Park showdown.
Asofa-Solomona was put on report for a hip drop tackle while playing for the Storm's feeder club Sunshine Coast Falcons in the Queensland Cup on the weekend but escaped with a warning.
Looking to avenge a 14-6 defeat, the Panthers match could be the first time Asofa-Solomona will line up alongside star front-row recruit Stefano Utoikamanu.
Penrith will be without Dylan Edwards due to a groin issue, with Daine Laurie taking his place.
In Friday's two games, Lindsay Collins, Victor Radley and Spencer Leniu all come straight back in as the Sydney Roosters face an unchanged Warriors in Auckland.
In the later match, Kotoni Staggs is on Brisbane's extended bench as the Broncos face a North Queensland side boosted by the return of Jason Taumalolo.
In Saturday's games, there are no changes for Cronulla as they host a South Sydney outfit, who welcome Jack Wighton back into the centres.
Jahream Bula has been named for Wests Tigers' trip to take on an unchanged Dolphins, despite the livewire fullback sporting a compression boot after Sunday's win over Parramatta.
Alofiana Khan-Pereira's hamstring injury brings Tony Francis on to the wing for Gold Coast against Newcastle in Saturday's late kick-off.
22°C