Jimmy Brings, James Hooper column, Angus Crichton return, Sydney Roosters, Jack

Sydney Roosters backrower Angus Crichton will make an earlier-than-expected return to playing rugby league in round seven of the NSW Cup after receiving a clearance from independent doctors, coach Trent Robinson and the Tricolours club doctor.

In a major development for the Moore Park-based club, Crichton has been back in full training for the past three weeks at Roosters headquarters and individually under the tutelage of one of the Tricolours high performance team offsite.

Crichton, 27, was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in February and has twice attended a mental health facility as he works on the road to recovery.

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The NSW State of Origin and Kangaroo Test forward attended last Thursday night’s win over the Parramatta Eels and was in the Roosters dug out during the game and the Allianz Stadium dressing rooms afterwards where Chooks powerbrokers all went out of their way to welcome Crichton back into the club.

There were initial fears the Roosters forward’s career may have been in jeopardy but since a return to training the backrower has made positive progress.

All things being equal Crichton will return to playing in the NSW Cup in round seven when the Roosters play Newtown at Henson Park on Saturday April 15.

Provided everything goes according to plan the NSW Origin and Test backrower is then expected to spend a fortnight or possibly more in NSW Cup before an NRL return is right on the cards.

It’s a huge development for Crichton personally and the Roosters as a club.

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WHY RICKY IS NOT A PROTECTED SPECIES

THE usual suspects are out and about trying to question why Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart gets a protected species run in the national capital while the Wests Tigers are routinely barbecued every other week.

For the record, the champion NSW and Australian halfback who has been at the helm of the Raiders for ten seasons now is no koala bear.

Let’s compare the pair – the Raiders and last year’s wooden spoon club.

The Wests Tigers are currently in the midst of the NRL’s longest finals drought having failed to make it past August dating all the way back to 2012.

That’s 12 seasons and counting as some of the protesters are preparing to tell club management at the Easter Monday match against Parramatta.

In contrast, Stuart piloted the Green Machine to an unlikely grand final appearance in 2019 and then backed it up in 2020 when the Raiders made it to within 80 minutes of another grand final in a prelim final.

Canberra also went on a late season run last season to qualify for September before…