A former coach of Sydney Roosters star Angus Crichton says he was a standout playing for the Young Yabbies as a junior.
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Crichton, 23, progressed through the Young Yabbies junior rugby union nursery before attending The Scots College in Sydney, then converting to rugby league when he was signed by Souths Sydney Rabbitohs in 2014.
He played a key role for the Roosters in their win over Melbourne Storm in the preliminary final, helping them book a spot in Sunday's NRL grand final against Canberra Raiders at ANZ Stadium.
John Pattinson coached the Yabbies under 10s about 14 years ago and says Crichton was a "very good footballer".
"He was a standout in the juniors. Not just in Young but in the whole Southern Inland and Riverina rugby area," Mr Pattinson said.
Mr Pattinson said Crichton's first coaches were his wife Jane Pattinson and Helen Hamblin in the under 6s.
He watched Crichton progress through the Yabbies junior ranks playing in gala events against towns including West Wyalong, Cootamundra and Griffith.
Crichton then moved to Sydney to attend The Scots College in 2009. Returning to the family farm during school holidays, Crichton would line-up for the Yabbies senior grades in the Southern Inland competition.
He played three seasons with The Scots College First XV and made the Australian Schoolboys on two occasions.
Mr Pattinson said he watched Crichton's game develop while his son Jock attended Sydney's St Joseph's College.
"My son went to Joeys, he [Crichton] went to Scots. He played three years of Firsts XV with Scots and was always a standout and obviously went on to play Australian Schoolboys," Mr Pattinson said.
"He obviously got better with better coaching and playing a better standard of footy. He's also a bloody good bloke."
Mr Pattinson played with Crichton's father Charlie, who played rugby union for Sydney club Randwick, before moving to Young and playing and coaching the Yabbies senior side.
"He was also an outstanding footballer," he said.
"He played Australian Schoolboys. His career didn't quite reach the pinnacle, but he was the best footballer I ever played with."
Mr Pattinson said he hopes to see Crichton back playing rugby union one day, and wished him all the best in the NRL decider.
"It's a bit disappointing he went to rugby league. It'd be good to see him back, but he's definitely got a few years left in him," Mr Pattinson said.
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