In form back rower Angus Crichton has reportedly agreed to a new two-year deal with the Roosters worth $800,000 a season.
Crichton is at the peak of his powers at the moment and is coming off an outstanding performance for the Blues in Game II where he was close to the best afield.
According to The Daily Telegraph, Crichton has resisted the temptation to follow teammates Joseph Sua’ali’i and Joseph Manu to rugby union.
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In addition to reportedly knocking back offers from overseas rugby clubs, Crichton also chose to stay at the Roosters despite interest from other NRL teams.
Crichton wasn’t happy with the club after the Roosters’ attempts to sign Titans star David Fifita from next season fell through.
However, Roosters coach Trent Robinson has convinced Crichton to stay put, with the 28-year-old set to receive the same per year pay packet that was offered to Fifita.
Crichton’s new deal is worth $1.6 million for 2025 and 2026, which is a pay rise of $200,000 a season.
The new deal caps quite the turnaround for Crichton, who started the season in NSW Cup following a turbulent 2023 campaign.
CASHED-UP CHOOKS TO ENTER CONTRACT TALKS WITH STAR HALF
The Roosters are set to enter contract discussions with star halfback Sam Walker in the hope of keeping him at the club long term.
Walker, who is contracted with the Roosters until the end of 2025, is keen to remain at the club despite interest from rivals and the temptation of a return to his home state of Queensland.
If he doesn’t sign with the Roosters before November 1, he’ll officially be on the open market for 2026 and beyond, but according to the SMH, the Tricolours don’t want to let that happen.
Walker is in the midst of a career-best season for the fourth-placed Roosters, with the halfback among the league leaders for try assists (18, tied-3rd) and points scored (130, tied-4th).
With each game, Walker’s price tag is becoming more and more expensive.
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“He will now be banging on that $1 million door as the long-term halfback at the Roosters,” The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield said following Walker’s man-of-the-match performance on ANZAC Day against the Dragons.
Due to the lack of quality halves in the game at the moment, Walker is a premium commodity and there will be teams likely willing to offer seven-figure amounts to lure the star playmaker.
The Roosters though, will be able to table a deal worth a pretty penny as well.
With Luke Keary heading to the Super League, Joey Manu and Joseph Sua’ali’i off to rugby union and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves retiring, the Roosters have cash to spend.