Why Roosters star Angus Crichton is firming to return for NSW Blues – after well publicised mental health battles
Sydney Roosters second-rower Angus Crichton is back to the form that made him a NSW regular in State of Origin and in line for a Blues recall under new coach Michael Maguire.
An Origin recall would be the ultimate comeback for the Roosters star, after his well publised battles with mental health that resulted in him being admitted to a psychiatric facility in France.
Just before the start of the 2024 NRL season, Crichton opened up about his time in the French psychiatric facility at the close of 2022 and his continued struggles with mental health upon returning home.
There were rumors suggesting Crichton had severely damaged his brain using magic mushrooms abroad, but he clarified these rumors were false, without denying his use of the substance.
While in France, Crichton was put on medication and underwent treatment in mental health facilities. His parents came to France and quickly arranged for his return to Australia.
‘I was just manic. I wasn’t sleeping. I wasn’t thinking clearly or making good decisions. No one got hurt, no one got injured, but I was super energetic and very different to my normal self,’ he said at the time.
Now, Crichton is in what his Roosters coach Trent Robinson agreed was a ‘purple patch’ after he scored two tries and destroyed the Brisbane defence with his blockbusting charges in the 40-18 win over the Broncos on Friday night.
Crichton, off-contract at the end of this season and still to decide whether he wants to make a code switch to rugby union, has a good rapport with Maguire from his South Sydney days.
He said playing for the Blues, who he has represented 11 times, was ‘definitely something I’d like to do’ after last playing for them in 2022.
‘Madge gave me my debut back at Souths in 2015 and was my first ever coach in the NRL, so a lot of good history there and good memories,’ Crichton said.
‘I love testing myself and I love playing in the biggest games.
‘I didn’t go to the (NSW pre-season) camp, but I had a meeting with him and had a chat with him.
‘Madge is really good, personable guy and straight up and tells you how it is.
‘I’ve got a great relationship with him.’
Roosters and NSW captain James Tedesco endorsed Crichton for a Blues recall.
‘Definitely, with the way he has been playing,’ Tedesco said.
‘He has been one of our best for a couple of weeks now so he has definitely found some consistency. He is just so hard to tackle.’
