Angus Crichton is about to make his long-awaited NRL return on ANZAC Day after Roosters star missed the start of the season following a bipolar diagnosis…
- Angus Crichton is about to make his highly anticipated return to the NRL
- The 27-year-old was diagnosed with bipolar disorder this summer
- Daily Mail Australia provides the latest international sports news
Angus Crichton is about to return to the NRL with the gun forward expected to appear for the Roosters on ANZAC Day.
Crichton, 27, missed the start of the season after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, making his first appearance since the shocking news last week at the NSW Cup at Henson Park.
After making it through that encounter without incident, the Roosters are ready to include Crichton on their team to face the Dragons on Anzac Day, depending on whether he’s in a good place mentally and physically.
However, Crichton’s return was somewhat overshadowed by the abolition of Sam Walker after the youngster dropped to reserve class.
The 20-year-old Queenslander has been touted as one of the game’s future stars, but after a 3-3 start he will need to impress coach Trent Robinson to earn a recall.
Angus Crichton returns to the NRL on ANZAC Day
The Roosters star played in the NSW Cup last weekend following his bipolar diagnosis
“You get to go back to the drawing board and just enjoy your footy and play with a little less pressure,” said Matt Lodge.
“No one can be in shape for 15 years of their career.
“You have to have faith in your coaches in the areas you need to clear… he’ll be back before you know it.
“I’ve played with a lot of halves, but Sam Walker can do things no one else can.
“He’s a special player and the game puts pressure on these young players to make up for every part of their game.
“He’s in the most difficult position on the pitch and history shows it can take a while to get everything right.”
Walker’s abdication means Joey Manu will partner Luke Keary in the halves.
Paul Momirovski starts at center, Crichton moves into the back row and Sitili Tupouniua is benched after recovering from an ACL injury.
Crichton returned to action last weekend in a NSW Cup loss to the Newtown Jets.
“It’s good to see him healthy and happy, personally I like to play with him,” Lodge said.
“I rate him as one of the best back rowers in the comp.”
The prospect of Manu getting his hands on the ball more often will do little to secure the job prospects of beleaguered Dragons coach Anthony Griffin.
Representing New Zealand at fullback, the Kiwi International was a much more damaging threat playing in the backbone.
The 27-year-old will only play if he is mentally and physically in good shape
“He will do a great job, he is a cunning player,” winger Daniel Tupou said.
“He’s versatile and you know he’s going to create.”
Tupou is approaching an overtime with the Tricolors after it appeared his Roosters career was coming to an end.
The Tongan winger has been linked with a move to Super League, but Joseph Suaalii’s defection to rugby union appears to have boosted his chances of staying with the Roosters.
“Negotiations are still going on at the moment, but (I’m) pretty sure things are moving in the right direction,” he said.