Unlocking combinations key to Crichton's resurgence

Angus Crichton has adopted a "mystery man" kind of persona, when asked the key to his success in season 2020.

After eight rounds the former Origin second-rower could well find himself back in a NSW Blues jersey such has been the renaissance in his second season at the Sydney Roosters.

In seven games he's accumulated four tries – or as many as James Tedesco and Daniel Tupou.

In defence he's averaging more than 45 tackles and 120 metres in his 80-minute performances.

"I just think it’s playing my role in this team. And sometimes the ball comes to you and sometimes it doesn’t," Crichton said on his improved output since the NRL resumed in late May.

"I’m feeling really comfortable now with the team and I think the best is still yet to come."

Probe a little deeper into why this year Crichton is having a great run in the No.12 jersey when he shared it with Mitch Aubusson throughout last year, and he isn't willing to divulge much.

Crichton will have a rare foray wearing Boyd Cordner's No.11 this week with the Roosters skipper having a spell after copping a heavy knock last Thursday.

Asked if he had tweaked or tinkered with his game, he replied: "Heaps of stuff, to be honest.

"But I won’t tell you guys all the details because then I guess other teams might do it. Tell a few journalists and that’s the rest of the world," he said with a wink and a smile.

"I’ll be careful with how much information I give away but I’ve been doing a lot of hard work.

"I’ve been working a lot with the coaching staff and the style we play here and how I fit into that style. So there’s a lot of hard work behind the scenes."

Head coach Trent Robinson provided a little more detail, without betraying any Roosters trade secrets.

"The big thing he's worked on is his combinations with the guys around him and his understanding of the defensive needs of the Roosters," Robinson told NRL.com.

"He's always been a good player but he's now a year on, much clearer about the footy he wants to play and the footy we play.

"And he's always been a high-quality attacking player so it's just his combinations and defence. He's a hard trainer and studies the game."

Crichton has halfback Kyle Flanagan on his inside and centre Joey Manu on his outside but often finds himself feeding off a sweeping Luke Keary. It is also about how he works with the Roosters' middle men.

"[Crichton] was in and out last year so it’s him standing in that position for longer periods of time and been able to build those combinations," Robinson said.

As for the next assignment for Crichton and the Roosters, it's the Cowboys at Townsville's Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Thursday.

Sometimes clubs can drop off intensity the week after such a gruelling game like the Roosters-Storm round eight encounter at Suncorp Stadium - decided by an extra-time penalty 27-25 Melbourne's way.

Crichton doesn't see that happening even though it's fifth versus 11th on Thursday.

"I have never experienced that myself – might be a bit of a myth – especially for a club like us. There’s no option but to perform at your best week-in, week-out," he said.