Connor Watson Ruled Out of NRL Grand Final

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The Sydney Roosters have suffered a huge blow ahead of Sunday's NRL Grand Final, with utility Connor Watson officially ruled out of the decider against the Newcastle Knights.

Watson suffered a Category One concussion less than a minute into the Roosters' preliminary final victory over the Dolphins last Friday night.

The 30-year-old was subsequently removed from the field and placed under the NRL's mandatory 11-day concussion stand-down.

Despite Watson reportedly testing well during the week and undergoing further assessment with an independent specialist, he was not cleared to return in time for Sunday's Grand Final.

The decision is particularly cruel given the circumstances.

Watson has never played in an NRL Grand Final, and Sunday's match would have been his final appearance for the Roosters before departing for the St George Illawarra Dragons next season.

He has played 25 games for the Roosters in 2026, predominantly operating from the interchange as a hooker/lock option, and has been an important part of Trent Robinson's side throughout the season.

It also creates an unusual situation given Watson has previously played for the opposition.

He spent three seasons with Newcastle between 2018 and 2021, meaning he would have faced his former club in the biggest game of his career.

With Watson unavailable, young hooker Benaiah Ioelu is expected to come into the Roosters' 17.

Ioelu has made five NRL appearances this season and has generally provided energy from the bench.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson had already indicated that Ioelu was the obvious option if Watson failed to receive medical clearance.

“Benaiah Ioelu played some great footy for us this year,” Robinson said during the week.

The change means Reece Robson is likely to carry the bulk of the hooking responsibility, with Ioelu providing cover.

That is a very different proposition from having Watson available. Watson gives Robinson enormous versatility because he can play hooker, lock and effectively change the shape of the Roosters' interchange rotation.

Ioelu is considerably less experienced at NRL level, making Watson's absence another significant tactical headache for Robinson.

The Roosters aren't the only side heading into the Grand Final without their regular hooker.

Newcastle lost Phoenix Crossland before the week even began.

Crossland was sent off during the Knights' preliminary-final victory over Penrith following a hip-drop tackle on Nathan Cleary that left the Panthers halfback with a fractured leg.

Crossland subsequently pleaded guilty at the NRL judiciary and received a four-match suspension, ruling him out of Sunday's Grand Final.

Crossland's absence is particularly significant because he was named the Knights' 2026 Danny Buderus Medal winner, recognising him as the club's player of the year.

He was therefore losing his place in the biggest game of the season immediately after being recognised as Newcastle's best player for the year.

The man stepping into the breach is Harrison Graham.

Graham replaced Crossland after the hooker was sent from the field against Penrith and helped Newcastle complete one of the most remarkable wins in the club's recent history.

He is now expected to start at No.9 against the Roosters. There is an added emotional element to the selection.

Graham and Crossland are close friends, and Graham has spoken about how difficult it has been to watch his teammate miss out.

“He's been our best player all year so if he's not playing I've got massive shoes to fill,” Graham said.

The Knights have also been considering their options beyond Graham.

Teenager Diesel Hagan could potentially come onto the interchange if Holbrook wants additional hooker cover. If Hagan were to take the field, he would become the first player to make his NRL debut in a Grand Final since Eddie Lockhart in 1936.

Sunday's decider was already a fascinating clash between a Roosters side chasing another premiership and a Newcastle team attempting to complete its extraordinary rise from the 2025 wooden spoon.

Now, both teams will have to do it without their original hooker plans.