'Mentor, mate, coach': How Cordner helped Crichton get back on track

As he prepares for Friday night’s clash with the Broncos, Roosters forward Angus Crichton has revealed the role Boyd Cordner played in helping to get his career back on track.

Crichton, who played for Australia in the 2022 World Cup final, has overcome a rocky 18 months in which he was overlooked for selection the last time the Roosters played the Broncos in Las Vegas in Round 1.

However, after being forced to wait until Round 3 to be selected and Round 5 to start, Crichton has put himself in contention for an Origin recall and he credits Cordner for helping with the turnaround.

Cordner, the former Kangaroos, Blues and Roosters captain, is now a member of the Roosters coaching staff and Crichton turned to him after failing to secure a spot in the Roosters squad until Round 3 and a starting spot until Round 5.

“It was obviously upsetting,” Crichton said. “I would have loved to have played in Vegas, but we sit here now and it didn't happen.

“I’m still grateful for the trip and grateful for the lessons. Sometimes things don't go your way and sometimes you get dealt with different hands that you don't want to be dealt, but you’ve just got to get on with it and and push on.”

The 28-year-old is now one of the first forwards picked by Roosters coach Trent Robinson each week, but he never really received, or asked for, an explanation of why he was on the selection outer.

Instead, Crichton sought the advice of Cordner and worked hard to get back to his best form for the Roosters.

“I'm really tight with Boyd Cordner, he is one of the coaching staff, and I go to him with a lot of stuff inside and outside of footy,” Crichton said.

“I have had a lot of advice from Boydo. He's a guy who I can be open and honest with.

“In my opinion, he is the best backrower to have played for the Roosters and I loved playing with him, I loved playing alongside him and being coached by him.”

Like Crichton, Cordner played most of his illustrious career as a left edge backrower and he was the Australian and NSW captain at the time of his retirement in 2021.

Cordner played 20 Tests, 16 Origins and won three premierships with the Roosters during his 183 match NRL career from 2011 to 2020.

“I want to better myself and who is better to give me advice about playing left edge backrow than Boyd Cordner,” Crichton said. “He’s been there and he’s done it all, and led from the front for years and years.

“He's obviously a good mate as well, so he doubles as that sort of mentor, mate, coach. He’s the full package.

“To be able to go to him and ask what his opinions are, and his thoughts on different stuff, at training or games, and for him to push me and help me has been great.”

Crichton is now finally back to the form that made him a regular member of Kangaroos and Blues teams after taking time away from the game to deal with mental health issues at the beginning of last season.

He made his NRL return in the 2023 ANZAC Day clash with St George Illawarra and 12 months on he has declared his ambition to play State of Origin under new Blues coach Michael Maguire.

“I always love playing in that arena and I'm always ready,” he said.

“It's been a pretty crazy year and I’ve been through a lot, so to be back in this position a year on I think I’m in such a better spot and such a better space, and I think my footy is obviously in a better place.

“I’m keen to keep building on that. I know I'm still not there yet, but I feel that week on week I'm getting fitter and stronger, and getting better and better, and I think that will keep happening.

"There's no secret. I've worked hard to get back to where I am and I’ll keep working hard to get to new heights.

“I think I’ve given my coach no other option but to start me and give me big minutes.

“I had to bide my time there early in the season, but I knew I just had to keep my head up, train hard and do what I know what works for me. Then when you get your chance, you have to take it.”