SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 04: Angus Crichton of the Roosters is tackled during the round four NRL match between the Sydney Roosters and the New Zealand Warriors at Sydney Cricket Ground, on April 04, 2021, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
Sydney Roosters back-rower Angus Crichton has revealed the financial sacrifice he made to ensure he stays at the Sydney Roosters, claiming a desire to focus on becoming a better player and person helped him knock back bigger offers from elsewhere.
Crichton recently signed a two-year extension at the club he joined back in 2019, letting Tri-colours fans breathe a sigh of relief after talks stalled due to the ongoing salary cap negotiations between the NRL and the RLPA.
The 26-year-old has since confirmed that he willingly took a pay cut to ensure he remained at the Roosters, saying he couldn’t see himself anywhere else.
“Yeah I did (take a paycut),” Crichton, who is currently in England as a member of Mal Meninga’s Kangaroos squad, told the Daily Telegraph.
“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. I said ‘I don’t care what you have to do, I want to get it done.’
“I was so clear in how much I love the place, the area and the people in it.
“I just have such a strong connection to the place and I don’t want to walk away from it. It’s a massive relief.
“There were moments where I didn’t know if it was going to happen. I’m just really happy it’s finalised, because I made it clear there was nowhere else I wanted to be.
“I didn’t get to the point of looking around, but I got to the point where my agent said we might have to.
“I said ‘I don’t want to entertain (any offers), I don’t want to talk to anyone.’
“To get it over the line is a big relief.”
Crichton is due to reach two milestones in the famous Tri-colours kit following his extension. Provided he can remain injury-free he’ll reach both his 150th NRL appearance and his 100th game for the Roosters in 2023.
Source:: ZeroTackle
