Sydney Roosters forward Angus Crichton has backed emerging halfback Sandon Smith to hit the ground running in his first game in the No.7 jumper for the season on Friday night.
The 21-year-old has been thrown into the hot seat after Sam Walker tore his ACL in a horror afternoon for the club last Sunday.
The halfback was one of four players to suffer injuries in the loss to the Raiders, with Brandon Smith, Victor Radley and Nat Butcher also ruled out of this week's regular season finale against the Rabbitohs.
Smith has been handed the crucial halfback role and will play alongside Keary in the halves. The position comes with high expectations but Crichton said the senior players in the squad must play a crucial role in easing the pressure throughout the week.
Brandon Smith leaves the field
"In a leadership sense I'll step up a little bit more," Crichton said. "I love to lead through my actions and help the boys make sure we've got that strong belief. I'll be putting that faith in those younger guys or the less experienced guys that step in.
"Letting them know we believe in them and we've got their back. That's half the battle, making sure the team believes they can go and do something, then we've just got to execute it."
Crichton's comments came after he was named the 2024 Brad Fittler Medal winner on Monday night, capping a remarkable rise from NSW Cup to the Blues' best in the space of six months.
The back rower is proud of the achievement but has one more goal to tick off before he can sit back and reflect on the year. A premiership with the Roosters.
That task became significantly tougher last weekend when Walker and Smith suffered season-ending ACL injuries.
Radley fractured his scapula and while he has avoided surgery in the short-term, he remains at long odds to feature again this year. Butcher suffered a concussion in the loss to the Raiders and is set to return in the opening week of the finals.
Sandon Smith has played in 10 games this year, largely as a utility off the bench but started at halfback six times last season. In total he has worn the No.7 jumper 42 times in the NRL and NSW Cup since 2022 and the Roosters are developing him into Walker's long-term halves partner.
Connor Watson has been named at hooker for Friday's clash with the Rabbitohs, with Sitili Tupouniua to start at back row and Naufahu Whyte at lock.
Match: Rabbitohs v Roosters
Round 27 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
16th Position
away Team
Roosters
3rd Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Utility Zach Dockar-Clay comes on to a new-look bench alongside Terrell May, Siua Wong and teenager De La Salle Va'a, who is in line to make his NRL debut.
There have been a number of changes across the league with Tolu Koula named to replace Tom Trbojevic at fullback for Manly's clash with Cronulla. Clayton Faulalo has been selected on the wing for the injured Jason Saab.
The Sharks have named a full-strength backline for the first time since Round 17, with centre Jesse Ramien and winger Ronaldo Mulitalo returning for the crucial game at 4 Pines Park.
The Rabbitohs will be without Jack Wighton for Friday's clash with the Roosters, with Dean Hawkins to partner Cody Walker in the halves.
Trent Robinson's side can finish anywhere from second to fourth depending on results this weekend and they have their sights set on a home final in the opening week of the playoffs.
Adding to the importance of the next few weeks is the team's desire to send a number of departing legends out on top, with Keary, Joey Manu and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves among the veterans leaving at the end of the season.
"It's just a backs against the wall [mentality]," Crichton said. "We're still trying to send out some of those legends on a high and with some great memories.
"We're going to go down swinging. There's no way we're going out without a fight, we've got such a great squad with so much depth in so many positions. We believe in what we can do.
"We saw Zach Dockar-Clay do a great job at hooker last week, Sitili Tupouniua has been playing outstanding the last couple of weeks. It's a really good opportunity for guys who have been missing out narrowly the last little bit, guys like Siua Wong.
"My heart hurts for those [injured] guys, I send them my love and we'll get around them but we've got to look forward and focus on the task ahead."
Crichton knows the injuries mean his individual form is even more important and he can't afford to drop off over the coming weeks.
The edge forward has been one of the most dominant players in the game this season, despite starting the year outside the Roosters17 and being told he was surplus to requirements for 2025 and beyond.
All aboard the Gus Bus
Crichton's form surge, and David Fifita's backflip on a move to Sydney, saw the Origin star ink a new two-year extension and he's eager to ensure this year's output is not a flash in the pan.
"It's a long year and it's tough to do," he said. "I've got to keep on trying to do it week to week, month to month and year to year.
"That's the thing with footy, you don't just want to come in and burst on the scene then fizzle out. You want to keep on working to be that consistent player that your teammates love playing with.
"That's my goal every day. I work hard to get myself in a position to do my job for my team and help my team win games and if I do that, I'll be happy."
