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- Roosters forward can’t thank wife enough for unwavering support
Sydney Roosters forward Angus Crichton has heaped praise on his wife Chloe ahead of his 200th NRL match.
Crichton, 30, has carved out an impressive career following his first-grade debut in 2016 with South Sydney – while also enduring well publicised mental health issues.
But he credits his wife, who he met in one of the worst periods of his life, for helping him come out the other side.
Just weeks after the pair met in England where Crichton was part of Australia’s triumphant Rugby League World Cup squad in 2022, the footy star was taken to a psychiatric ward.
Crichton suffered a medical episode in the south of France, which related to his bipolar disorder that was undiagnosed at the time.
‘The easiest option for her was to ditch this bloke she had met a month or so earlier, when I was locked in a psychiatric ward,’ Crichton told the Sydney Morning Herald.
Roosters star Angus Crichton (pictured) has spoken candidly about his struggles ahead of his 200th NRL match
Crichton (pictured, with wife Chloe) credits his partner for supporting him through a difficult period of his life
The pair got married in May last year – and are now expecting their first child
‘But she somehow saw the good in me and chose to stay in contact,’ he added.
The couple have been inseparable ever since, and are now set to have their first child together with Chloe 37 weeks pregnant.
‘She (Chloe) eventually ended up my girlfriend, then wife, now the [soon-to-be] mother of our child,’ Crichton said.
Although Crichton’s future looked shaky for a while, the mother-to-be never considered leaving the Roosters star to fend for himself.
‘My Dad, Clem, lost his brother to mental health, and he told me how if he [his brother] had someone to talk to, it might have been different,’ Chloe said.
‘So, ‘Whatever is going on with this guy, just keep talking to him,’ Dad told me.’
Despite the challenges across his almost decade-long journey, Crichton couldn’t be more grateful for the position he finds himself in now.
He also hopes his story can inspire others who are struggling.
Angus and Chloe (pictured) are one of the NRL’s most loved-up couples – and can’t wait to be first-time parents in a few weeks
The 30-year-old (pictured, holding the State of Origin shield) has tasted success at representative level for NSW
Crichton (pictured) has experienced a lot of adversity across his long career – but wouldn’t change his journey
‘If I can help someone feel more comfortable, or feel more normal or seen, that’s a positive for me,’ Crichton said.
‘I’m super blessed to live the life I live. Rugby league has given me everything.
‘To play 200 games, there’s been a lot of reflection and a lot of people I need to thank.’
Crichton has played for 17 Origin games for NSW and 11 Test matches for Australia, and was also a premiership-winner in 2019 with the Roosters.
