The incredible comeback of Angus Crichton: From park footy to Origin believer

Just over 12 months ago, Angus Crichton ran out onto suburban Henson Park in front of a small crowd watching from up on the famous old hill. Now the Roosters forward is in the frame for a fairytale Origin comeback.

Angus Crichton is on the brink of Blues selection.

Rugby League has a storied history of second chances and comebacks.

Angus Crichton might just surpass them all.

Just over 12-months ago, the Roosters forward ran out onto suburban Henson Park in front of a small crowd of plumbers, brickies and stockbrokers watching from up on the famous old hill.

On the comeback trail in the NSW Cup last April, Crichton took the first steps back into the game following his admission into a French mental facility and eventually rehabilitation for his battles with bipolar disorder.

So concerned were Crichton’s closest friends and family that were thoughts that he may never play again.

It’s only fair then, that the chances of Crichton playing State of Origin, let alone NRL again, in the eyes of everyone that watched the strapping backrower play at Henson that day, were deemed impossible.

Yet through desire, character and determination, somehow the 28-year-old is right back in the NSW Origin frame.

If Crichton wasn’t already pressing his own claims, via a man of the match showing in the Roosters huge win over the Broncos on Friday night, the shock omission of NSW Origin forward pack mainstay and Rabbitohs skipper Cameron Murray for the next six to eight weeks with a hip injury has only strengthened his claims.

Angus Crichton returned to the field via NSW Cup at Henson Park last April. Picture: Tim Allsop/Getty Images

After running 144 metres, producing three tackle busts and scoring two tries, Crichton spoke of his desire to represent NSW for the first time since 2022 and also, his relationship with new Blues coach Michael Maguire.

“Madge (Maguire) 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 told AAP.

“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.”

The competition for the Blues lock and backrow position is on.

At lock Isaah Yeo, Cameron McInnes and Jake Trbojevic are all in contention.

Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon was vocal about McInnes’ claims when asked yesterday.

“He’s got that whole Origin flavour about him, doesn’t he, yeah,” Fitzgibbon said.

“I think anyone that knows Cam or has worked with Cam over the course of his career, everyone loves what he’s about don’t they.

“Some players just have a knack of being respected whatever they do, wherever they go and Cam’s no different.”

On the Blues edge, where Crichton is firming for selection by the week, Maguire also has incumbent backrower Liam Martin, Keaon Koloamatangi, Hudson Young and Manly’s Haumole Olakau’atu, as options.

Yet Crichton has heavyweight support from Roosters and NSW captain James Tedesco.

“Definitely, with the way he has been playing,” Tedesco told AAP.

“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.”

Roosters and Blues legend Boyd Cordner is now on the Tricolours’ coaching staff and has been an inspiration and guide for Crichton.

Crichton has been in strong form for the Roosters. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

“He’s had a massive influence on me as someone I’ve always turned to in good and bad times,” Crichton said.

“I took over his position when he finished and that’s why I love playing in the 11 so much, because that was Boyd Cordner’s 11 (jersey).

“To pull on the 11 every week now and play in the position that he played with so much heart and so much courage for so long is something I don’t take lightly, it’s something I take a lot of pride in.

“I was in Origin camp when he retired in 2020, and I sort of took on that left edge role for NSW.”

The big question for the Roosters is, will the hierarchy change their mind in allowing Crichton to leave the club at the end of the season, or do they re-sign him?

“I’m not in a hurry. I’m just weighing up the options … and to be honest, I haven’t got any concrete options on the table yet,” Crichton said.

“I’m letting my footy do the talking at the minute and, hopefully, the longer I keep playing the more options I’ll have on the table, and then we can start making some decisions.

“My focus is solely on winning games for the Roosters and putting my best foot forward here.

“I want to win a comp here.

“I want to send guys like Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Luke Keary out on highs.

“I was here in 2019 and we had a bit of a drop-off since then, and I think we deserve to send them both out on a high.”