Angus

[Kiwi Rooster]

Is it just me, or has Angus gone backwards this year? He's not half the player he was last year. He looks sluggish, for both Easts and NSW for mine. Hope he can lift his game as we all know what he can do but I've been a bit disappointed in his form this year.

[The Real King]

Definitely gone backwards. The 2023 Angus has returned.
So what is it?
Collins had one good year and now not so good. Angus had one good year and now also not so good.

[tloos1999]

The Angus Crichton cycle:

1) Rumoured to be leaving the club
2) Starts playing elite level rugby league
3) Signs a big new contract
4) Begins to play poorly

Rinse and repeat. Has happened a few times now with us. Sets the world on fire, gets his new deal, then goes back into his shell.

[Chook2]

Not 2023 poor form
not 2024 peak form
Angus is still playing pretty well but nothing like 2024!
Isn’t coming out like the destroyer he was too opposition last year in attack and defence! Still solid making 130mtr on the edge and being consistent without being an enforcer - best backrower in the comp like 2024.
unfortunately he has been like this abit with us - 2026 is going to be interesting coming only a contract year can only presume he will take off again! At $850k though and Wong a lock plus Foketi and steep with Angus past and being on that wage might be not offered anything or a reduced deal.

tbh I have been disappointed with his form, at the bunnies and rugby days we was a mad line runner where now he just goes straight at contact. At the bunnies he was running line, using footwork and was quicker - at that time I thought he was going to be the best edge player for a decade or more

its a hard one as he isn’t playing bad but for a top priced edge and knowing what he can do plus 30 - maybe a 1 year extension if we do or 2 max and any longer is a risk

[Roosterfarian]

Is it just me, or has Angus gone backwards this year? He's not half the player he was last year. He looks sluggish, for both Easts and NSW for mine. Hope he can lift his game as we all know what he can do but I've been a bit disappointed in his form this year.

Yep I was thinking the same thing watching him out on the paddock on the weekend.

His defence in the first half was quite poor but to cut him some slack, he was backing up from Origin (which incidentally he also played poor in)

[MKCS]

Vs QLD on Wednesday night: Ran for 93 metres (Third most for NSW), 3 tackle breaks and made 33 tackles for 6 misses.

Backs up 3 days later where he ran for 146 metres (Most out of any Roosters forward), broke 4 tackles and made 37 tackles only missing 3.

What are we looking for here? I feel like most teams would be really happy with a Crichton like game especially the Dragons game.

[Inflictor]

I think Gussy has been one of our best forwards this year. Maybe the focus is more on the improvements of Whyte, Wong, Foketi, Steep and his efforts are going more unnoticed.
He still hits the line hard and is solid in defence.
He hasn't made as many line breaks or scored as many tries in the past (not that I have checked the previous stats) his effort levels are still there. Maybe teams are marking him more this year.
With Sammy back I would expect those line breaks and tries will come more frequently. He nearly scored off one of those Sammy grubbers on the weekend.

Some hard markers.

FFS

[Roosterfarian]

Vs QLD on Wednesday night: Ran for 93 metres (Third most for NSW), 3 tackle breaks and made 33 tackles for 6 misses.

Backs up 3 days later where he ran for 146 metres (Most out of any Roosters forward), broke 4 tackles and made 37 tackles only missing 3.

What are we looking for here? I feel like most teams would be really happy with a Crichton like game especially the Dragons game.

I thought he had a much better second half on Saturday MKCS..but the sentiments are that he is not making as much impact this season as what we see he is capable of making. Something that you can't argue with. Someone hit the nail on the head when they said he is not 2023 poor form and not 2024 peak form.

[Bates]

Gus is doing ok.

I'd expect him to go up a level now that Sammy is back on deck. Left side attack looks potent on paper with Sammy, Gus, Billy Toops and Teddy chiming in.

Speaking of back rowers. I had a crack at Wong the other week. I got that wrong as we really missed his contribution against the Dragons. Sorry Wongy

[Tennessee Tornado]

Keep in mind that Gus has been playing outside Sandon this year. Not getting the type of ball keary was giving him last year

[rented tracksuit]

The guy is a NSW and Aus rep player. He goes ok.

[milanja]

Keep in mind that Gus has been playing outside Sandon this year. Not getting the type of ball keary was giving him last year

This.

He ran really well off Keary, and has also missed Walker this year.

[Rooster90]

I'm willing to reserve judgement to see how he goes now Walker is back
It would be hard for a guy who's primary job is to run the right lines adjust to playing with 2x rookies halves

I do believe he will be one of the first signings for the Perth Bears in 2027 however.

11. Wong & 12. Foketi is the *near future

[bondi paul]

Angus is heavily marked due to the style he is playing under Robbo’s instructions. Our passing often slow motion by the time he gets the ball. It’s when Connor serves him crisp passing on the blind is when he is most impactful. Walker as good as he is has the Keary esque slow motion pass at times as does Sandon unlike Hugo who has a great bullet like pass that creates space.

[BTRD]

Has scored once this year. Very sluggish. Never makes a break.

In club land, Hudson Young, Eli Katoa and Dylan Lucas seemed to offer a lot more than Angus - at the moment.