KIERSTEN DUKE: Angus Crichton will be crowing after David Fifita reneged on deal to join Sydney Roosters

Angus Crichton woke up a happy chook this morning after David Fifita told the Roosters he would not be coming south from the Gold Coast after the Titans sweetened his already lucrative $1 million a year contract.

Before the bombshell announcement it was unclear if Crichton would remain at Bondi after declaring he would not play second fiddle to Fifita given they both play the same position.

You’ve got to wonder if Crichton’s not-so-veiled frustrations may have played a role in Fifita’s extraordinary backflip.

Maybe Dave didn’t like the idea of bunking with a man whose job he had taken next season as Crichton rarely misses when he lines up his prey. But then again maybe it was the money, it generally is.

And just because Fifita is not coming does not mean Crichton will not go. The whole affair may have soured him on the club after he said not even coach Trent Robinson had talked to about pursuing Fifita.

The 28-year-old is off contract at the end of the season and is yet to announce whether he will be back in Sydney’s east next year. Penrith are cashed up and Crichton was a firm favourite to head west to make room for Fifita. Maybe he still will.

Dumbledore, Gandalf and Sam Walker. Three men with fantastic beards who produce pure magic.

The Roosters halfback put in another ripper performance in the 38-18 win over the Warriors.

At one point he booted the ball 50 metres across the field to land in the arms of Daniel Tupou who scored the Tricolours’ fifth try in just over half an hour of play.

It was so exciting Warren Smith practically launched himself out of the commentary box yelling “why bend it like Beckham when you can kick it like Cronk?”

It was a fitting victory to celebrate Jared Waerea-Hargreaves’ 300th game on Sunday with Dom Young and, none other than Crichton, both bagging doubles.

Sunday was well and truly a funday across multiple sporting codes, with the NRLW Sky Blues Origin squad spotted courtside at the NSW Swifts-Melbourne Vixens game at Sydney Olympic Park.

In between their intense training sessions, the squad looked to be enjoying some down time cheering on fellow female athletes.

Young fans were bubbling with excitement, taking selfies with Origin stars like Jess Sergis and Kezie Apps, who were more than willing to indulge the young girls.

Despite NSW being the underdogs leading into Thursday night’s first game of the three-game series, the team are positive about upsetting the Maroons.

Yasmin Clydesdale said she was “fitter than I’ve ever been”, undeterred by a perforated ear drum suffered during tackle practice.

Women’s sport isn’t just on the up, it’s skyrocketing and if you haven’t already jumped on the ship then get onboard.

Events including the Women’s football World Cup helped drive up viewing figures, the total for 2023 being one million higher than the previous best year in 2019.

With the Women’s State of Origin expanding to a three-game series for the first time, it’s clear that one of Australia’s greatest sporting rivalry will be bigger than ever.

From a subject that I could write about endlessly to a subject, quite frankly, I’m sick to death of hearing about – racism.

In short, it’s 2024, why on earth does anyone in this day and age lack the mental capacity to understand that racial slurs and abuse are beyond unacceptable.

During Saturday’s loss against St George Illawarra, Rabbitohs duo Lattrell Mitchell and Cody Walker were yet again subjected to racial abuse from a fan in the crowd.

The incident only came to light when another fan reported the vile behaviour to the league after the man in question was able to leave the ground without being pulled up by security.

The fan (who I wish wasn’t anonymous so I could applaud them) admitted to calling the man out following the fifth racial slur.

Can I just point out how incredibly brave of them that was because you’d be worried about how a human that clearly has minimal braincells would react to being pulled up on their behaviour.

Despite the courage it took to do this, security didn’t have the offended fan’s back in spite of the racist admitting and even repeating the abuse originally yelled.

To say this made me feel sick to my stomach would be an understatement. Sport is meant to be a safe space for so many.

Sport is not a space where you should be made to feel less than, unwelcome, isolated, or hated. There is no space for racism, none.