Roosters’ Crichton makes return after bipolar diagnosis

George Clarke | April 15, 2023

Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson was delighted to see Angus Crichton return to action for the first time since being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, but said there would be no rush to get the star forward back to the NRL.

Crichton’s last game came in Australia’s World Cup final win last year, with the back-rower since undergoing treatment for his mental health.

Saturday’s game was a world away from Old Trafford, with the Roosters’ NSW Cup side going down 40-18 to a tough Newtown Jets outfit at Henson Park.

Crichton looked comfortable on his return to action and was supported by Roosters teammates Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Lindsay Collins and his family and friends.

“I thought he did really well, he got through 80 minutes, had some good carries and defensive movements,” Robinson told AAP.

“It was a really good start.

“We’ve taken our time and talked with Gus and the people we needed to and this (level) was a good place to start.

“I thought he proved that today, he showed some good fitness and movements.”

Crichton was part of a Roosters reserve grade side that included recent Parramatta recruit Nathan Brown and Dylan Napa, who recently came returned from an eventful stint in the Super League.

Robinson wouldn’t speculate as to whether Crichton would play in the NRL on Tuesday week when the Roosters face St George Illawarra on Anzac Day.

The Roosters coach is set to be without back-rower Nat Butcher due to a one-game suspension picked up in Friday’s 22-12 NRL loss to Cronulla.

“We’ll see how he (Crichton) feels after the game and we’ll go step by step over the next couple of days,” Robinson said.

“We want to have his footy on track and make sure he’s in the right space to perform during training in the week.”

In other Roosters news, Brandon Smith escaped with a $3000 fine for his high shot on Cameron McInnes in the loss to the Sharks.

Second-rower Sitili Tupouniua is also nearing a return to full fitness after sustaining an ACL injury last year and is expected to run out for North Sydney on Sunday.