Angus Crichton faced relentless speculation in 2023, as many pondered whether he would ever return to the NRL.
However, within himself, he always held a belief that he would make a comeback, which adds a unique significance to his milestone match against the Rabbitohs on Friday night.
As the Roosters standout enters his 200th NRL game at Allianz Stadium, this latest chapter in the ongoing rivalry takes on special importance for Crichton.
He has expressed gratitude towards his wife, Chloe, along with his family, acknowledging their crucial support throughout his journey.
In 2019, Crichton celebrated a title in his inaugural year with the Roosters, but it was a subsequent World Cup victory that brought him face to face with a daunting challenge.
The representative forward has candidly shared his experience of a manic episode that occurred after the tournament.
This difficult period led him to seek help in an institution and ultimately resulted in a diagnosis of bipolar disorder.