League: Angus Crichton has finger amputated to be fit for start of NRL season

Angus Crichton of the Rabbitohs. Photo / Getty

Angus Crichton might have signed with the Sydney Roosters for 2019 and beyond, but no one will question his commitment to the South Sydney Rabbitohs' 2018 campaign after he amputated a finger to be fit for the start of the year.

Crichton's manager David Rawlings confirmed the back-rower had had the middle finger on his left hand amputated.

Crichton earlier this week confirmed he had signed a three-year deal to join the Sydney from 2019.

The 21-year-old had been told he needed more surgery on the digit, which would mean a three-month layoff.

Instead of surgery, Crichton opted for amputation after being troubled constantly in recent years by the finger.

"My finger has been an ongoing injury I've had since I was playing in the under-20s," Crichton told the PlayersVoice website earlier this month.

"... A while back, I got it fused. I've got no knuckle in it.

"The doctor said I could either cut it off halfway or fuse it. I've had it fused several times now because I keep breaking it.

"I can't bend the finger, so it's like I'm constantly giving people the bird. If I clench my fist, my middle finger sticks out."

Footy is important to me, but it's not all I want to be remembered for. @playersvoice story:https://t.co/xHLnYQFZIT pic.twitter.com/iq7OtWcu1o

— Angus Crichton (@acrichton33) December 3, 2017

After his fourth fusion surgery, Crichton pledged it would be the last such operation.

"I'm going to have it cut it in half because I'm just over it," he said.

Crichton joins others prominent sportspeople including former AFL players Daniel Chick and Brett Backwell in amputating a finger to continue their careers.

Chick had his left ring finger amputated in 2002 after frequent dislocations and, four years later, won a premiership with West Coast.

Backwell played AFL with Carlton and, after returning to South Australia's state league, had his left ring finger amputated in 2005 - a year later, he won the SA state's league Magarey Medal for best-and-fairest in the competition.