Would RETFs eat crickets using this method...

[Diver]

I'd continue to release the crickets and let them wander so the frogs can hunt. As you are going natural (kudos on that btw!), why not go bio active? If you have springtails living in your substrate they eat any dead crickets as well as mould, faeces etc. It's the method I use in all my vivaria, highly recommend it!