Angus

[Rooster_6]

It would be good to see him hitting holes more often.

Just never been his game, he seems to run at opposition players rather than run into space. Which is fine when he was bumping them off like he was last year but this year it often resulted in slow play the balls.

Hoping Darcy Smith, James Finegan & Lachlan Dooner start putting some pressure on our second rowers next year. All 3 are very natural hole runners with good overs/unders lines and plenty of grit (educated at the school of Boyd Cordner)

Darcy Smith in particular is something special IMO & James Finegan was my favourite player to watch in the SG Ball team, currently on tour with the junior wallabies so hoping we can hold onto him.

[Chook2]

Just never been his game, he seems to run at opposition players rather than run into space. Which is fine when he was bumping them off like he was last year but this year it often resulted in slow play the balls.

Hoping Darcy Smith, James Finegan & Lachlan Dooner start putting some pressure on our second rowers next year. All 3 are very natural hole runners with good overs/unders lines and plenty of grit (educated at the school of Boyd Cordner)

Darcy Smith in particular is something special IMO & James Finegan was my favourite player to watch in the SG Ball team, currently on tour with the junior wallabies so hoping we can hold onto him.

It does frustrate me with Angus
he played his best at Souths where we was a great line runner and best edge in the comp! Also playing centre in rugby helped
in my eyes he has slowly regressed
despite playing like a man possessed last year to earn another contract he does not perform there often and annoying finds faces over spaces making his work harder
tbh I’ll be surprised if we re offer him a contract or if we do it will be a revised $600k ish one

[Rooster90]

Just never been his game, he seems to run at opposition players rather than run into space. Which is fine when he was bumping them off like he was last year but this year it often resulted in slow play the balls.

Hoping Darcy Smith, James Finegan & Lachlan Dooner start putting some pressure on our second rowers next year. All 3 are very natural hole runners with good overs/unders lines and plenty of grit (educated at the school of Boyd Cordner)

Darcy Smith in particular is something special IMO & James Finegan was my favourite player to watch in the SG Ball team, currently on tour with the junior wallabies so hoping we can hold onto him.

Max McCathie is surely next man up in the second row - people forget how highly rated this kid was coming through.
Has had a few injuries that have slowed his progress however

We also have Radley, Watson, Wong, Foketi, Steep, Butcher x 2 to fit into NRL backrow/lock positions

I'm also a big fan of Hayden Barton & Aston Warwick but doubt we will be able to keep both - Warwick is Matt Burton's brother in law and will probably join him over in Perth
We are covered on the edges for years.

[caz]

zero tackle reporting that we're not keen on extending him beyond next year. obviously he's a very good player but is he worth 800k?

[Thirteen]

zero tackle reporting that we're not keen on extending him beyond next year. obviously he's a very good player but is he worth 800k?

In 24 he was. In 25 he wasn’t.

[Waylander]

If he was consistent he would certainly be worth $800K. Maybe sign him for 1 year with additional 1year options in our favour. Then he’s basically playing for his contract year on year.

With Foketi, Steep and the others mentioned above all looking for regular spots in the 17, I can see us letting him go. He could easily be a target for Rugby 360.

[SupermanSupportsEasts4Eva]

He was a beast for NSW last year. Robbo should show him some of those tapes.

[ism22]

zero tackle reporting that we're not keen on extending him beyond next year. obviously he's a very good player but is he worth 800k?

IMO $800k is the price of an above average forward. Gus is a rep forward. It's bargain territory.

That said how much is Whyte worth? Saw the pics of him at awards nights and was thinking 'fark me he's not getting a medal like Marky Mark but my fondest memories of 2025 involve 'Fahu calling for the pill and then leading our team down the park from out front.

IDK. You've got guys like Billy Smith out there who wouldn't look outta place in a rep team... Toia too. Savala! Lotsa guys over performed and would have a serious case for a solid upgrade while the iron's hot.

Just dunno why we'd wanna punt Gus those. Dare I say he out-performed Radley and didn't just get disciplined for cocaine related BS that coulda had him sacked. I know Rads is a local junior and all but so is Gussie.

Emotions about 'victor the inflictor' aside... he's a relatively small guy who plays more of a distribution role as the NRL has made it pretty clear they don't want him charging off his line early with a swinging arm, going for an early hero tackle every time. He's not a hooker (made that pathway clear)... not a half... and I dare say Whyte's a far better #13 (who can play up front as an enforcer too).

Do we ask the question about Rads or is he taking serious unders to stay with us? I suspect he's on close to ~$800k for a dude who defected to England because he couldn't make the NSW team and realised it simply wasn't happening.

Oh and Gussie's finger wiggle try celebration's awesome ;D

[Michael Jones]

One assumes Angus may need to take a pay cut if he wants to stay beyond 2026 although 100 to 150K or so of his contract could be exempt under the 300k Veteran and Developed Player Allowance from 2027.

It will be a players market to some extent come November 1 2025 so he could well be offered 800k by other teams especially Perth Bears for 2027. - Still a current SOO and Australian International Player.

Sydney Roosters players able to negotiate with other clubs from November 1 2025 - under contract until 2026.

• Angus Crichton - 800k - eligible for the 300k Veteran and Developed Player Allowance in 2027 - possible from 2026 - played 8 NRL games for Souths in 2016
• Siua Wong
• Blake Steep
• Hugo Savala - reportedly on a supplementary list contract( formerly Development contract) - max pay 80k
• James Tedesco - 1.1 million or so - reportedly in negotiations for an extension for 2027 - eligible for the 300k Veteran and Developed Player Allowance
• Daniel Tupou - Unknown whether 2026 will be his last season? - eligible for the 300k Veteran and Developed Player Allowance
• Tyler Moriarty - probably won't be re-signed

Siua is 22 and Blake is 20 - both with their best footy in front of them and would be priority re-signings with a pay increase one assumes - Hugo if on 80k as reported would need to be significantly upgraded in pay.

Salary Cap in 2027 ( $ 12,100.00) - $ 11.700.00 ( Base Salary Cap) - $100,00 (Motor Vehicle Allowance ) - $300.00 ( Veteran and Developed Player Allowance)

[Steakface]

I feel Gus is still our best second rower, and is still a permanent rep fixture selection too.

$800k is a fair price. If he wants more, I think we should think carefully.

Reason being - although his stats are not bad, they are not elite. And although I like that he has taken on an enforcer role, his penalty count is seriously concerning.

The back row stocks...

Rads - although still very capable, is a shadow of what he was. much more conservative player these days.
N Butcher - not the same impact on the edges, hopefully gets shifted into the middle where I think he can shine
Wong - has his moments for sure, but still doesn't offer what Gus can.
E Butcher - is improving, but still put him behind the others
Steep - lots of good signs, but still learning in first grade
Foketi - a statistically poorer version of Steep

We've got back rowers out the wazoo, but there are some flaws there & others who aren't yet ready to take a stronger leadership role in the pack.

[Rooster90]

I feel Gus is still our best second rower, and is still a permanent rep fixture selection too.

$800k is a fair price. If he wants more, I think we should think carefully.

Reason being - although his stats are not bad, they are not elite. And although I like that he has taken on an enforcer role, his penalty count is seriously concerning.

The back row stocks...

Rads - although still very capable, is a shadow of what he was. much more conservative player these days.
N Butcher - not the same impact on the edges, hopefully gets shifted into the middle where I think he can shine
Wong - has his moments for sure, but still doesn't offer what Gus can.
E Butcher - is improving, but still put him behind the others
Steep - lots of good signs, but still learning in first grade
Foketi - a statistically poorer version of Steep

We've got back rowers out the wazoo, but there are some flaws there & others who aren't yet ready to take a stronger leadership role in the pack.

We still haven't seen what Max McCathie can provide due to injury and opportunity - he turns 23 next year

I rate him highly

[bondi.boy]

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.

Agree.

[Batemans Bay Rooster]

I'd let him go.

[Bates]

Gus has always been something of an enigma to me. He can go from top-tier to passenger within weeks.

He can be so inconsistent yet is an auto pick for NSW and Australia.

We need him to fire as he's a crucial part of the equation imo.