Rugby League's worst kept secret has been confirmed. Angus Crichton will be leaving South Sydney in 2019 after signing a deal with another club.
Although the Rabbitohs statement did not say where he would be signing, it is all but confirmed he will be headed to Bondi to play for the Sydney Roosters.
Ignoring the question of how the star-studded, all rep Roosters manage to fit Tedesco, Cronk and Crichton into one of the NRL's best rosters will be the theme for the day. That is another hair thinning argument for another time.
With Crichton signing away, the Bunnies fans now have the absolute pleasure of 'enjoying' the single most ridiculous situation in professional rugby league. They get to cheer on their star, young gun weapon, knowing that any development he makes will be enjoyed by their bitter rivals in future years.
That's right South Sydney fans. Angus Crichton makes a break, offloads and sets up a wonderful try in the early rounds. During the off-season, he's developed a right foot step to bamboozle the defensive line.
Enjoy it while you can, cause that same star will be busting through your defensive line in 12 months time. For your most hated of bitter rivals no less.
That's right, the same player your club brought across from rugby union, developed and took a chance on will be cashing in on the start you gave him, and taking a much easier, first-class ticket to glory... at your expense.
Straight up, you can't blame young Crichton.
If someone drove a truckload of money up to your door and shoved a contract in your face, you'd sign it. I sure would.
Forget loyalty. Why be loyal when you can jump straight into a jet boat? A jet boat given a much easier route to your destination.
With all due respect to Souths fans, I can't see the club winning a title in the next few seasons. That's not having a go, but the set up just isn't there. New coach, new system. It will take time.
The Roosters, however, look set for a few magical seasons after signing Cooper Cronk and James Tedesco. Add to that the likes of JWH, Napa, Keary, Friend. They've also got one of the game's most exciting youngsters in Latrell Mitchell.
Once again, who wouldn't sign for the tri-colours?
Souths fans can be angry, but surely they'll understand. It will be tough, but ultimately the club will move on.
It's a shame that they now have twelve full months of having the fact Crichton has signed away rubbed in their faces.
How can Souths fans be expected to pay to go and see a young superstar play, knowing he's already stated that he believes his best chance for a premiership is at the club's rival?
He will never publicly say that, but in signing for the Roosters, that is exactly what he is saying.
He'll take the club's money this season, but has already literally signed a better option. An option that will deliver him his own private island by the sound of it.
Why this ridiculous loophole hasn't yet been shut is well beyond me. It's beyond anyone with any sort of sense at all.
For those who will inevitably cry 'but but but' I offer you this. The AFL, an organisation at very least on par with the NRL in terms of popularity, money, and viewership, manages just fine.
You get the off player making a mid-season switch, you even have players stating their intention to move on, but you don't have Carlton players signing for Collingwood a full 12 months before they're expected to kit up for their first pre-season training session.
Even juicier if the fact that the Crichton once played for the Roosters, in SG Ball. The Roosters let him move on to the Bunnies, as with their seemingly limitless pit of money, they keep who they want. They let the rest go.
They had no interest in young Angus, yet now that he's a genuine star, they open their arms, and chequebooks to welcome him back.
How many Souths fans will be rushing out to Crichton's name embedded on their back of their kids newly unwrapped red and green jerseys after Christmas?
I wouldn't guess too many.
You can't blame Angus, he's doing what he believes is the right thing for his career ... and ambitions to literally swim in a pool of hundred dollar bills.
You can't blame the Bunnies. They did everything they could to hold onto their star.
You certainly can't blame the Roosters who did what they needed to ensure a star player is wearing their jersey in 2019 and beyond.
Who can you blame? How about the multi-million dollar executives who can't pull the trigger on fixing this next-level ridiculous?
Why do you ask? Don't bother. You'll soon be as bald as all masterful CEO.
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