‘You keep signing everyone’: Roosters star gives it to Gus Gould

A Sydney Roosters star said what everyone was thinking when Bulldogs Phil Gould asked him a pointed question on a TV footy show.

Roosters and NSW star Angus Crichton has taken a cheeky dig at Phil Gould after the Bulldogs supremo pointed out the exodus of senior players from the Sydney glamour club.

The Roosters are 12th on the ladder and have been competitive in what is a transitional year for the club following the departures of Luke Keary, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Joey Manu, Joseph Sua’ali’i, Terrell May and Sitili Tupouniua.

FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer.

They have also been without halfback Sam Walker so far this season as he recovers from an ACL injury, while Brandon Smith has joined the Rabbitohs mid-season.

Appearing on Nine’s 100% Footy on Monday night, Gould asked Crichton about the “drain” of players from the Chooks, and the Roosters star had a cheeky retort.

Gould: “Angus, last year — Joey Manu, Sua’ali’i, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Luke Keary, Brendon Smith, Sam Walker, Sitili Tupouniua — it’s a big drain on experienced talent isn’t it?”

Crichton jokingly replied: “I know, somehow we still don’t have any cash. And you guys keep signing everyone, so I don’t know what’s going on here. There needs to be an investigation.”

Gould looked momentarily stunned before co-host Paul Gallen chimed in, telling Crichton: “You’re more than welcome here any time you want.”

The Oracle wrote on X: “How good was this! Angus Crichton giving it to Gus Gould. And didn’t he have a valid point?”

Watch the Gould vs Crichton exchange in the video above

Angus Crichton took a cheeky dig at Gus Gould. Photo: Channel 9.

The comment left the panel in stitches. Photo: Channel 9.

The Bulldogs have recruited Lachlan Galvin, Leo Thompson, Stephen Crichton, Matt Burton and Viliame Kikau in recent seasons during Gould’s tenure as Canterbury’s general manager of football Bulldogs.

A secret document has revealed Canterbury have the salary cap profile of a premiership winning team, with no players earning more than a million dollars per season, modelling the even spread of talent that saw Penrith win four premierships in a row.

Meanwhile the Roosters have impressed this season with a fairly inexperienced side, handing debuts to Robert Toia, Hugo Savala, Salesi Foketi, Taylor Losalu, Blake Steep, Xavier Va’a and Benaiah Ioielu, while getting more games into Sandon Smith.

“We’ve invested heavily in our young boys and they’ve been doing a great job for us,” Crichton added.

“Blake Steep has been huge for us. Salesi Foketi, and now seeing the young hooker Benaiah (Ioelu) come through, he’s really crafty.

“Robert Toia, he’s been great. I’m so happy he got his opportunity in Origin, he’s just a baller and goes out there and kills it.”

Hugo Savala is one of several young players who’ve impressed for the Roosters. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Crichton also praised the Roosters’ young halves Sandon Smith and Hugo Savala, who have been more than capable playmakers in the absence of Sam Walker.

“Hugo’s kick is what sort of has unlocked our team a bit,” the forward said.

“Being able to kick long and get into those grinds in games. If you play simple and kick to corners, that’s halfway to you winning the game.”

The departure of several senior players has the Roosters well and truly in the mix to sign Daly Cherry-Evans for next season after the Manly skipper said he wouldn’t be at the Sea Eagles beyond this year.

“I don’t know, you guys probably know more than me, I haven’t heard anything,” Crichton said when asked about the DCE rumours.

“Obviously he’s a great player and adds value wherever he goes. I’d just be disappointed if we lose any of our young guys that are doing such a great job for us.

“Sandon and Hugo have been huge for us, hopefully we can make sure everyone can stay.

“The bones of a good strong team are there and putting Sammy (Walker) in will definitely help boost that. He scores tries out of nowhere, points just flow off him. He’s got the best short kick I’ve ever seen.”

After a narrow 26-24 loss to the Raiders last week, the Roosters have the bye this week before taking on Newastle in round 15.

Originally published as ‘You keep signing everyone’: Roosters star gives it to Gus Gould