Angus Crichton's Sydney Roosters teammates are uniting around the off-contract second-rower as David Fifita's arrival leaves his future at the club in doubt.
Crichton has already said he is not interested in playing second-fiddle to Fifita who arrives in Bondi in 2025 and is likely to play the left second-row spot where Crichton has excelled at this season.
After last week's win over the Warriors, Crichton claimed the Roosters had not yet broached the topic of his future.
Crichton has long been linked with a move back to his boyhood game rugby union, though Penrith have more recently emerged as a suitor within the NRL after their failed bid to secure Fifita.
On Tuesday, teammates were tight-lipped when quizzed about Fifita's arrival on big money next year and are hopeful in-form Crichton may not yet be lost to the Roosters.
"I love Angus," said forward Victor Radley.
"He's kind of the benchmark back-rower this season, especially this last month. You obviously want to keep him.
"That's up to the club and Angus to deal with. For the meantime, I just want to see him be his best, which he's been doing."
Roosters prop Terrell May, now an elite front-rower, recalled the positive influence Crichton had ahead of his NRL debut in 2022.
"When I first came here, he was one of the boys that I look up to," the 25-year-old said.
"I love Angus, and I wish he stays, but obviously no one wants to be second to anyone. I hope he does what's best for him, and like I said, I got a lot of love for that dude."
Winger Dom Young doubted whether the Roosters playing group would hold a grudge if Crichton made the choice to move on for better money or opportunities.
"You've got to do what's best for yourself because it's a business at the end of the day," he said.
"I wouldn't hold any grudge against him. Hopefully there's a way we can figure out for him to stay as well."
Radley was hopeful Crichton would be considered for a NSW State of Origin recall this season amid his resurgent form.
The 28-year-old made the most recent of his 11 Blues appearances in 2022, but has emerged as a viable option for the Blues given Cam Murray's hip injury.
His ability to play on either edge or in the middle from the bench looms as an enticing prospect as well.
"He definitely should be there," Radley said
"He's been so hard to handle, he's done it before, he's obviously the Australian back-rower at the World Cup. He's world class. He should be there I think."
