Crichton leads list of returning Roosters cavalry

Scott Bailey | April 10, 2023

Angus Crichton is on the verge of making his comeback to rugby league through the NSW Cup competition as the Sydney Roosters prepare for mass return of up to seven players this weekend.

Crichton is set to be named for his first game for the Sydney Roosters on Tuesday, and will face Newtown on Saturday at Henson Park after sitting out the start of the season following a bipolar diagnosis.

Fellow second-rower Sitili Tupouniua and centre Billy Smith are also set to join him in reserve grade, as they make their returns from ruptured ACLs suffered last July.

Their returns mark the start of a round of good news for the Roosters.

James Tedesco got through training on Monday on his return from a concussion, and is set to be named to face Cronulla on Friday night. 

Matt Lodge could also be available for the first time since suffering a bad facial injury in round one, after suffering an ugly blow against the Dolphins.

Nathan Brown could also play his first game in NSW Cup for the Roosters or feeder club North Sydney, after signing from Parramatta while battling a hamstring injury.

And Dylan Napa is likely to play in the lower grades this weekend, after returning from Catalans in the English Super League and needing to complete a pre-season.

All lower-grade returnees will come back through either the Roosters in NSW Cup or feeder-club North Sydney, ending any hope of a stacked team running around in reserve grade.

But it is Crichton’s return that will please the Roosters most.

The second-rower last played during Australia’s win in last season’s Rugby League World Cup, and has since revealed his bipolar diagnosis.

The 27-year-old sought treatment on the condition before the start of the season and checked into a mental health facility, before returning to Roosters training in recent weeks.

“It’s good for him,” Roosters centre Joey Manu said.

“I can’t wait to see him back with us. He’s got to get some game time into him and hopefully he will be back up here soon. 

“He is looking good, fit and strong. It’s good to have him around, he has good energy. It’s good to see him back out there, he is happy.”

The Roosters returnees mark a significant turn around from the start of 2023.

At one stage they had seven of their frontline stars unavailable or in doubt for the start of the season, but Connor Watson is now the lone figure in the club’s casualty ward.

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