Angus Crichton

Angus Crichton (born 5 February 1996) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a forward for the Sydney Roosters in the National Rugby League (NRL) and Australia at international level.

He previously played for the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the NRL. He has played for New South Wales in State of Origin, the Prime Minister's XIII. He won the 2019 NRL Grand Final with the Sydney Roosters.

Background

Crichton was born in Temora, New South Wales, Australia.

He played junior rugby union for the Young Yabbies. He then boarded at The Scots College (Sydney), where he played rugby union. In 2013 he was selected in the New South Wales Schools First XV and the Australian Schoolboys XV.

Playing career

Early career

In 2013, Crichton played for the Australian Schoolboys rugby union team, while attending The Scots College.

He spent some time back in rugby league with the Sydney Roosters' lower grade teams in 2014, before again playing for the Australian Schoolboys rugby union team that same year. On 31 October 2014, he signed a 2-year contract with the South Sydney Rabbitohs starting in 2015.

In 2015, he played for the Rabbitohs' NYC team, before re-signing with them late in the year on a 2-year contract until the end of 2018.

2016

In 2016, Crichton graduated to the Rabbitohs' New South Wales Cup team, North Sydney Bears.

In Round 19 of the 2016 NRL season, he made his NRL debut for the Rabbitohs against the Brisbane Broncos.

2017

The 2017 season was Crichton's breakout year where he earned rave reviews in an otherwise disappointing South Sydney side. He finished the season with 22 appearances and 7 tries including a hat-trick against the Gold Coast Titans. On 18 December 2017, after much speculation over his future Crichton signed a 3-year deal to join South Sydney's arch rivals the Sydney Roosters on a three-year deal starting in The 2019 season.

2018

After recurring injuries to his left middle-finger, Crichton underwent surgery to amputate the top half of the digit in the preseason. On 28 May 2018, Crichton was named to make his debut for New South Wales off the interchange bench in Game 1 of the 2018 State of Origin series at Melbourne Cricket Ground. Crichton played in all 3 matches for New South Wales as the blues won their first origin shield since 2014.

2019

Crichton made his debut for the Sydney Roosters against his former club South Sydney in Round 1 of the 2019 NRL season at the Sydney Cricket Ground which resulted in a 26-16 loss, Crichton was involved in a scuffle with Souths player Cody Walker in the second half where Walker called Crichton a "traitor". Crichton scored his first try for the club in Round 4 against Brisbane at the same venue. Crichton was later selected to play for New South Wales in Game 1 of the 2019 State of Origin series which New South Wales would go on to lose at Suncorp Stadium. Crichton was subsequently one of the players dropped from the New South Wales team for Game 2.

Crichton played for the Sydney Roosters in the club's 2019 NRL Grand Final victory over Canberra at ANZ Stadium. It was Crichton's first premiership victory as a player and the club's second consecutive premiership victory.

On 7 October, Crichton was named at second row for the U23 Junior Australian side.

2020

On 22 February, Crichton played for the Sydney Roosters in their 2020 World Club Challenge victory defeating St Helens 20-12.

In round 5 of the 2020 NRL season, Crichton scored two tries as the Sydney Roosters defeated Canterbury-Bankstown 42-6 at Bankwest Stadium.

Crichton played in the 2020 State of Origin series playing all three games in the 2-1 series loss, coming off the bench in the first origin and then started the next two due to Captain Boyd Cordner suffering another head knock ruling him out of the series.

2021

During the Sydney Roosters shock defeat to Brisbane in round 11 of the 2021 NRL season, Crichton was placed on report for a high tackle. He was later suspended for two games.

Crichton played a total of 20 games for the Sydney Roosters in the 2021 NRL season including the club's two finals matches. The Sydney Roosters would be eliminated from the second week of the finals losing to Manly 42-6.

2022

On 19 June, Crichton was selected by New South Wales for game two of the 2022 State of Origin series. Crichton had previously not been selected for the opening match of the series.
In round 23, Crichton scored two tries in the Sydney Roosters 72-6 victory over the Wests Tigers.
In round 25, Crichton became the first player to score a try at the new Sydney Football Stadium as the Sydney Roosters defeated arch-rivals South Sydney 26-16.
In October he was named in the Australia squad for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.
Crichton played for Australia in their 2021 Rugby League World Cup final victory over Samoa. During the second half of the match, Crichton was sent to the sin bin after hitting Samoa's Chanel Harris-Tavita with a raised forearm which left the player knocked out. When Crichton returned to the field, he dropped the ball over the line which cost his team a try scoring opportunity, however Australia would hold on to win the game 30-10.

2023

In February, it was announced that Crichton would be granted indefinite personal leave after it had been revealed he was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. Crichton's father released a statement which said “I can confirm today that Angus is under appropriate professional support and treatment for medically diagnosed bipolar disorder which he has been dealing with for sometime, He is full supported by his family, his management and the Sydney Roosters club as he works towards recovery, while no timeline has been set for his return to Rugby League, we will continue to trust his medical team and know those with the Rugby League community will respect his right to privacy during this time".
Crichton played 13 matches for the Sydney Roosters in the 2023 NRL season as the club finished 7th on the table and qualified for the finals. Crichton played in both of the clubs finals games as they were eliminated in the second week against Melbourne.

2024

In round 9 of the 2024 NRL season, Crichton scored two tries for the Sydney Roosters in their 40-18 victory over Brisbane. The following week Crichton scored another two tries in a 38-18 win over the New Zealand Warriors.
On 26 May, Crichton was selected for New South Wales ahead of the 2024 State of Origin series. On 1 July, Crichton re-signed with the Sydney Roosters on a two-year deal reportedly worth $1.6 million. Crichton started all three games for the Blues and was awarded the Wally Lewis Medal and Brad Fittler Medal. In round 25, Crichton scored his second career hat-trick against the Gold Coast Titans.

Statistics

*denotes season competing

Honours

Source:

Individual

* Jack Rayner Players’ Player: (2017)
* Roy Asotasi Members Choice: (2017)
* The Burrow Appreciation Award: (2017)
* Roosters Our Community Award: (2020, 2022)
* RLPA Dream Team (Second Row): 2021, 2024

Sydney Roosters

* 2019 NRL Premiership
* 2020 World Club Challenge

New South Wales

* State of Origin series: (2018, 2019, 2021, 2024)
* 2024 Wally Lewis Medal
* 2024 Brad Fittler Medal
* 2024 The Daily Telegraph People’s Choice Award

Australia

* World Cup: 2021

Personal Life

In 2022, Crichton opened up a barbershop in Bondi Beach.

References

External links

Sydney Roosters profileSouth Sydney Rabbitohs profileNRL profile

{{DEFAULTSORT:Crichton, Angus
1996 births
Living people
Australia national rugby league team players
Australian rugby league players
New South Wales Rugby League State of Origin players
North Sydney Bears NSW Cup players
People educated at Scots College (Sydney)
People with bipolar disorder
Prime Minister's XIII players
Rugby league second-rows
Rugby league centres
Rugby league players from Temora, New South Wales
South Sydney Rabbitohs players
Sydney Roosters players
21st-century Australian sportsmen