‘It means so much’: Robbo’s incredible act for star who missed grand final
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He might not have taken the field in the NRL grand final, but Connor Watson will forever be a Sydney Roosters premiership winner.
To make it official, coach Trent Robinson made a selfless yet unsurprising gesture following Sunday’s grand final, giving away his premiership ring to the sidelined star.
Connor Watson with his premiership ring. iPhone/Liam O'Loughlin
Watson was devastatingly ruled out of the decider due to concussion, after he was forced from the field in last weekend’s preliminary final against the Dolphins.
The 30-year-old fought tooth and nail to try and get cleared for Sunday’s clash, but ultimately admitted that the “rules are in place for a reason” and had to live with the decision, missing out on his final game for the Roosters.
Robinson’s touching gesture softened the blow for Watson, who was overcome with emotion and opened up on the tumultuous, rollercoaster week.
“It meant so much honestly – Robbo didn’t have to do it, but he wanted me to have it and that means a lot,” the departing utility told nine.com.au in the sheds.
“He’s been a big part of my career and this club has meant a lot to me for a very long time. Yeah, I didn’t get to end my career at the Roosters the way I wanted to playing in a grand final, but it still feels good to know I’m part of the squad.
“It was a tough week man. This is everything you dream about, playing a grand final. This is my 11th season of NRL now and this was my first grand final, but the situation was what it was and it was really important for me to accept it.
“I was obviously feeling gutted and disappointed, but once I was able to deal with it and get around the boys, it made it a lot easier.
“I would’ve loved to be out there, but I’m glad the boys were able to get it done.”
Watson said he doesn’t know how close he came to gaining a clearance, but said in his mind he was “always playing” even if the doctors said he couldn’t.
“In reality, whether it was close, probably not,” he said.
“The rules are in place for a reason and that’s the protocol we’ve got to follow ... but in my mind, I hadn’t even contemplated not playing.”
Watson, who will join the Dragons next year before moving to the PNG Chiefs for their inaugural 2028 season, had to watch from the sidelines as his close mate Kalyn Ponga streaked away to give the Knights an early 12-0 lead.
But the Chooks fought back, courtesy of some Mark Nawaqanitawase magic on either side of half time, to claim a dramatic 19-18 victory.
Even when the scoreboard was against them, Watson felt the Roosters had some level of ascendancy and knew the tide would turn eventually and felt that the middle forwards, led by Naufahu Whyte, were dominating against Newcastle.
As he prepares to start a new journey in Wollongong next season, the tough State of Origin star reflected on a journey at Bondi that spanned two separate stints and nearly 140 matches, culminating with a premiership triumph.
“The first stint was living out a childhood dream, but this second stint I had both Robbo and Nick Politis talking to me about coming back to win a premiership and become an Origin player and I was able to tick them both off,” Watson said.
“I’m super grateful for those guys, they’ve supported me through injuries and all sorts of things. I love this club, I’ve made so many great memories and met so many great people and I think about people like Cathy King and Alex Phillips, two amazing women involved ... they really are the backbone of this club.
“I’m excited for everything. The next few days and weeks celebrating are gonna be great and going down to the Gong next year makes me really excited.
Naufahu Whyte. Getty Images
“I’m very fortunate and I have to pinch myself sometimes, I get to do what I love and live in all these amazing places and experience things.
“Going down to the Dragons next year is awesome, I’ll be making sure I buy in completely and make the most of my time at the club.
“Then we go over to PNG, which is going to be the experience of a lifetime.”
