Angus Crichton heads into his fourth year as a Sydney Rooster - and the tearaway backrower is certainly not short of any motivation going into the 2022 season.
Following a breakout year that saw him start all but one of his 20 matches in the second row - scoring a career-high nine tries as a focal point of the Roosters' left-side attack - Crichton is primed for another big season in the Tricolours.
Crichton: "I Can't Wait to Get Back to the SCG"
And the 26-year-old believes there has been plenty of growth in the squad during the pre-season, which he says features a strong mix of familiar and not-so-familiar faces alike.
"I just want to win as many football games for the Club as I can," Crichton stated.
"We've got a new group with a lot of young guys and a lot of new faces have come in. Some old faces have really stepped up, the boys have been training the house down and some guys are in for a big year.
"I don't want to get too carried away with end results and that kind of thing. I want to be the best player I can be, help my team win games and be a good teammate.
"That's where my head is at the minute."
We've got a new group with a lot of young guys and a lot of new faces have come in. Some old faces have really stepped up, the boys have been training the house down and some guys are in for a big year.
Angus Crichton On the 2022 pre-season
Ahead of the side's second and final trial match on Friday night at the Club's home-away-from-home at Central Coast Stadium, Crichton highlighted a number of teammates he is looking forward to seeing on the field - should they be named - including his partner in crime on the left, Sam Walker.
The NSW State of Origin representative also spoke highly of the Club's younger contingent, many of whom took the field against the Raiders in the side's first trial match.
"There are some guys in our team who have had unbelievable pre-seasons; guys like Victor Radley, Sitili Tupouniua, Daniel Tupou. I'm really excited to watch those guys go to work," he said.
"Sammy Walker (now) after a bit more experience in that halfback role, I'm keen to see him take some ownership and play his hand.
"We've got some really good promising young guys coming up who are keen to have a crack as well."
With Roosters Members rallying this week and smashing the 16,000 Member milestone in record time, Crichton was full of praise for the Roosters' faithful and expressed his excitement in returning to the hallowed ground for the Round 1 doubleheader against the Newcastle Knights.
"It's been massive," he said of the recent Membership drive.
"For them to have that loyalty over the last two years; not being able to come to games, having no crowds, (the competition) being relocated up to Queensland and (to see) that they're still buying in shows a lot about our Club and our Members.
"I think it's all going to be paid back when we can go into the new SFS and get some home games pumping.
"I'm excited to be playing back at home in Round 1. It's been a minute since we've been back here.
"I'm excited to get back into the SCG and play some good footy."
