The Sydney Morning Herald
· collected 2026-09-18 · by Adrian Proszenko
Trent Robinson, coach of the Sydney Roosters, announced that injured player Angus Crichton will return from a six-week absence due to foot surgery for an elimination final against Cronulla on Saturday at Allianz Stadium. Additionally, halfback Sam Walker, who was initially thought to have a season-ending injury, is now being considered as a possible starter if the Roosters advance further in the finals series. Robinson emphasized Crichton’s readiness despite the short recovery period and noted that Walker has made significant progress but needs to continue training before any final decision on his playing status.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-18,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Roosters coach Trent Robinson confirmed that Angus Crichton will return from injury for Saturday night's elimination final against Cronulla at Allianz Stadium. Crichton hasn't played since round 15 due to a right navicular foot injury, which required minor surgery. Despite the long absence, Robinson believes Crichton is "ready to go" and won’t hesitate to use him in such an important match.
Additionally, Robinson mentioned that halfback Sam Walker has a strong chance of playing in next weekend’s preliminary final if the Roosters advance, after suffering from a syndesmosis injury. This news boosts the team's chances ahead of their crucial game against Cronulla.
Written for “Australians Rugby League Match” on 2026-09-18,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson has confirmed Angus Crichton will make a long-awaited return from injury after a false start last week, and also revealed halfback Sam Walker is a strong chance to play in next weekend’s preliminary final should his side progress that far.
asserted
side → confirm → final
Crichton hasn’t played since round 15 after suffering a right navicular (foot) injury, which required minor surgery.
asserted
which → play → surgery
However, he has been named on the bench to take on Cronulla in Saturday night’s elimination final clash at Allianz Stadium after having been a late scratching last week.
asserted
he → name → Stadium
Robinson described the NSW and Australian forward “ready to go” and had no qualms about throwing him into an elimination clash after such a long lay-off.
asserted
forward → describe → off
“I don’t think the standard of the game changes when it comes to Angus,” Robinson said on Friday.
asserted
Robinson → think → Friday
“I just think it’s the time out with the injury and managing the minutes he’ll get on the field.
asserted
he → think → field
That’s the only thing, but he’s played enough of these quality games to be ready to go back in.
asserted
he → ’ → games
“He wasn’t ready to go last week, simply put.
asserted
He → go → ?
He still had some issues last week, but he hasn’t had them this week, so he’s ready to go.”
asserted
he → have → them
Walker suffered a syndesmosis injury against the Dolphins in round 26 that required surgery, a setback that was initially considered season-ending.
asserted
that → suffer → setback
However, Robinson said he had recovered sufficiently to raise hopes of playing again this season.
asserted
he → say → hopes
“Another good progression this week, keep going,” he said.
asserted
he → keep → ?
“There’s a little bit less weight on that ankle compared to other guys in our game, so he’s progressing well.”
asserted
he → ’ → game
Asked if Walker has a chance of playing next week if the Roosters’ campaign is still alive, Robinson replied, “Yeah, he’s a chance.
asserted
he → ask → chance
Most of those guys end up doing straight-line running and all of that, whereas he’s back into some free movement and into some training, so that’s a real positive.”
asserted
that → end → training
The Roosters will go into the Cronulla clash off a six-day turnaround, and will need to do the same again next week if they qualify for a preliminary final.
asserted
they → go → final
That compares to a seven-day turnaround for the Sharks, eight for the Warriors and nine for the Knights.
asserted
That → compare → Knights
Asked about the discrepancy, Robinson said: “That’s a good question.
asserted
That → ask → discrepancy
I’ll probably hold my opinion on that, to be honest.
asserted
I → hold → that
“We’ll do whatever it takes to play finals; it’s as simple as that.
asserted
it → do → that
I think it’s a fair question around how it’s scheduled and why it’s scheduled in this way, but those are the cards we’re dealt.
asserted
we → think → way
We’re ready to play on six days, five days, four days - whatever it takes.
asserted
it → ’re → whatever
So yeah, let’s go.”
asserted
’s → let → ?
Sharks star Braydon Trindall was clearly inconvenienced by a shoulder injury during a successful comeback in last week’s win over the Cowboys.
asserted
Trindall → inconvenience → Cowboys
Several Roosters players, including Robert Toia and Siua Wong, have indicated they will try to target Trindall in defence.
asserted
they → include → defence
“Look, I think in these games you’ve got to know where to get to and what to look at in the opposition, but we want to play our game really well,” Robinson said.
asserted
Robinson → look → game
“Some of that will be targeting certain players, but it will mostly be through our style of play.
asserted
it → target → play
You have to acknowledge if there are any opportunities, but we want to honour the way that we play at the same time.
asserted
we → have → time
The Aporia
