Angus Crichton will return from a foot injury for the Sydney Roosters’ elimination final against Cronulla, while halfback Sam Walker has emerged as a chance to play next weekend if his side reaches the preliminary final.
Crichton has been named on the bench for Saturday night’s match at Allianz Stadium after missing last week’s game as a late withdrawal. The NSW and Australia forward has not played since round 15, when he suffered a right navicular injury that required minor surgery.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson said Crichton had overcome the issues that prevented him from returning last week and was ready to resume in a sudden-death fixture.
“I don’t think the standard of the game changes when it comes to Angus,” Robinson said. “I just think it’s the time out with the injury and managing the minutes he’ll get on the field. That’s the only thing, but he’s played enough of these quality games to be ready to go back in.”
“He wasn’t ready to go last week, simply put. That was the truth of it. He still had some issues last week, but he hasn’t had them this week, so he’s ready to go.”
Walker suffered a syndesmosis injury against the Dolphins in round 26 and underwent surgery, with the setback initially regarded as season-ending. Robinson said the 22-year-old was progressing well and had returned to some training and unrestricted movement.
Asked whether Walker could feature in the preliminary final if the Roosters remain in the competition, Robinson replied: “Yeah, he’s a chance. Yep … Most of those guys end up doing straight-line running and all of that, whereas he’s back into some free movement and into some training, so that’s a real positive.”
The Roosters face a six-day turnaround before meeting Cronulla and would have the same recovery period again if they advance. The Sharks have seven days, while the Warriors have eight and the Knights nine.
Robinson declined to expand on the scheduling disparity, saying the Roosters were prepared to play on whatever turnaround was required.
“We’ll do whatever it takes to play finals; it’s as simple as that,” he said. “I think it’s a fair question around how it’s scheduled and why it’s scheduled in this way, but those are the cards we’re dealt. We’re ready to play on six days, five days, four days – whatever it takes. So yeah, let’s go.”
Sharks halfback Braydon Trindall appeared hampered by a shoulder injury during last week’s win over North Queensland. Robinson acknowledged that Cronulla players could be targeted but said the Roosters would remain focused on their own style of play.
“Some of that will be targeting certain players, but it will mostly be through our style of play,” he said. “You have to acknowledge if there are any opportunities, but we want to honour the way that we play at the same time. So it’ll be a mix of both.”
