Roosters sad to see Crichton take mental health leave

"It's been really sad to see (him go on break), I've got nothing but love and support for him at the moment," said back-rower Nat Butcher.

"I'm just wishing that he's at the right place getting the right treatment and then he'll be back soon."

The 27-year-old is currently seeking professional help after his father Charlie Crichton confirmed his diagnosis last week. 

"He's just stepped away and recognised that he needs to get help," said prop Lindsay Collins. 

"He's getting the help that he needs and when he's right, he'll be back."

Crichton will be absent along with star centre Joey Manu (facial fracture) when the Roosters begin their 2022 campaign with an away trip to the NRL newcomers at Suncorp Stadium. 

The sides will compete for a cup named in honour of Immortal Arthur Beetson, who played for both clubs. 

The Dolphins have struggled to land big-name signings since getting admitted into the NRL, but the Roosters have had no such issues.

Penrith premiership prop Spencer Leniu and Newcastle winger Dominic Young have both agreed to join the club next season, which has led to conjecture surrounding the Roosters' salary cap.

Brisbane legend Gorden Tallis labelled the club's continued ability to land top-shelf signings as a "running joke" on Monday.

But Collins said the lure of playing for a winning club was why the Roosters, who added New Zealand hooker Brandon Smith over the off-season, continued to attract big names. 

"Those who come here play their best footy and I think we have some really great coaching staff who strive to be the best which feeds down to us striving to be the best," he said.

"If players look into squeezing the juice out of the lemon as much as they can, they probably want to see what the talk is about and come here and experience it.

"The more you get professional, the less you worry about money and the more you worry about winning."

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