Angus Crichton holds no ill will towards David Fifita despite admitting the Gold Coast wrecking ball almost cost him his job at the Sydney Roosters.
This Friday's NRL clash with Gold Coast would've been Fifita's first against the Titans as a Rooster had he not backflipped on a handshake agreement and signed a new two-year deal to stay put on the Glitter Strip.
When the Roosters were all-in on Fifita last May, it appeared fellow off-contract second-rower Crichton was going to be left out in the cold.
Penrith were one of the clubs with whom Crichton made contact as he began coming to terms with the fact he was no longer required at the club where he won the 2019 premiership.
Instead, Fifita's stunning backflip paved the way for the Roosters to patch things up with Crichton and sign him to a new two-year deal.
"Sliding doors moments, it's funny, I probably could've been talking to you guys in a different jersey if it (the Fifita signing) happened," Crichton told reporters.
"It's funny how the world works and it'll be funny going up against each other again but it's all love."
Fifita and Crichton faced off in round 25 last season after the signing debacle, and caught up briefly while the Titans were in Sydney to face Canterbury earlier this month.
Ahead of their first clash this season, Crichton holds no animosity towards the man who was one swivel of a pen away from forcing him out of the Roosters.
"It's the past," said Crichton, who played alongside Fifita with the Junior Kangaroos in 2019.
"There's no bad blood between me and him at all. Obviously when we've played each other we've had a few little battles.
"I'm sure nothing will be different when we play each other on the weekend. I've got nothing but respect for him as a person and as a player."
A direct player swap with million-dollar man Fifita would've suited Crichton just fine.
"I didn't speak to them (the Titans) but I wouldn't have minded living up on the Gold Coast. Burleigh's quite a nice place, I'll take his pay packet as well!" Crichton joked.
But for now, Crichton is content to remain with the Roosters after years of also being linked with a return to his boyhood code of rugby union.
"I'm obviously signed here for the next two years and that's where I see myself for the foreseeable future," Crichton said.
