‘Sliding doors moment’: Angus Crichton insists there’s no beef between him and David Fifita after last year’s contract mess

Angus Crichton says he has no beef with David Fifita, but his career could have played out differently if the Titans star didn’t pull out of a deal to join the Roosters.

Roosters superstar Angus Crichton insists there’s no bad blood between him and David Fifita, with the barnstorming back-rowers to square off on Friday night for the second time since the Titans star backflipped on a potential move to Sydney where he could have taken Crichton’s spot.

It’s perfect timing in the same week Daly Cherry-Evans informed Manly he wouldn’t be at the club next season, bringing back memories of his decision a decade ago to renege on a deal to move to the Gold Coast.

The Fifita news was one of the biggest stories of 2024, with the damaging edge forward agreeing to join the Roosters on a four-year deal, only for the club to withdraw the offer when they realised he wasn’t as keen as first thought.

David Fifita was set to join the Roosters on a four-year deal before he changed his mind and decided to stay at the Titans. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

If Fifita had headed south, then Crichton could have been on the move, with the Roosters unlikely to be able to pay both men top dollar given the Blues star had an incredible State of Origin campaign where he was named player of the series.

Crichton ended up signing a two-year extension back in May and was crowned Dally M back-rower of the year, with the Roosters left-edge star dominating his showdown with Fifita in round 25 with three tries on the Gold Coast.

This will be their first meeting in Sydney since it all went down, but Crichton insists he’s moved on.

“It’s the past,” he said.

“I’ve played with Dave before, he’s a good fella. I saw him the other week when we were both staying out at Homebush and said g’day to him.

“There’s no bad blood between me and him at all. Obviously, when we’ve played each other we’ve had a few little battles. I’m sure nothing will be different when we play each other on the weekend.

“I’ve got nothing but respect for him as a person and as a player.”

Angus Crichton destroyed the Titans last year with three tries. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Fifita will start the match on the bench but will come on at right-edge forward and line up directly opposite Crichton on Friday night.

It’s a mouth-watering clash between two of the best back-rowers in the NRL, with Crichton revealing he could have easily ended up elsewhere during what was a fairly frosty few weeks last year as he waited for clarity on his future at the club.

“It’s funny how it all worked out. It could’ve worked out in so many different ways,” he said.

“I guess (it was a) sliding doors moment. It’s funny, I probably could’ve been talking to you guys in a different jersey if it happened. It’s funny how the world works and it’ll be funny going up against each other again, but it’s all love.

“I’m obviously signed here for the next two years and that’s where I see myself for the foreseeable future. We’ll see what happens.

“I didn’t speak to them (Gold Coast) but I wouldn’t have minded living up on the Gold Coast. Burleigh’s quite a nice place, I’ll take his pay packet as well! I didn’t speak to them, in all seriousness.”

Originally published as ‘Sliding doors moment’: Angus Crichton insists there’s no beef between him and David Fifita after last year’s contract mess