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Roosters coach Trent Robinson says there is no need for a week off before the NRL grand final despite Connor Watson being ruled out by concussion protocols. Robinson says Watson took the news stoically as the Roosters prepare to face Newcastle.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson maintains there is no need for the NRL to schedule a week off before the grand final despite the absolute devastation of Connor Watson being ruled out of Sunday's clash against Newcastle.
Connor Watson ruled out
The match would have doubled as Watson's farewell Roosters game before he joins the Dragons next season. Watson was ruled out after initially displaying category-two symptoms and then being upgraded to a category one. It meant he would be unable to play or train for 11 days under the NRL's concussion protocols, effectively ruling him out of the grand final.
There is a provision under the rules that allowed the Roosters to seek a reclassification or exemption based on independent medical advice, although the club ultimately opted not to do so. It has raised debate over whether the NRL should give grand final teams a week off to avoid the situation that ended Watson's dream of a fairytale club farewell. But while Robinson felt for his star utility, he was not in favour of any change.
I'm more for the week off before the finals than I am before the grand final, Robinson said. I feel like momentum is built throughout the finals series, and the attrition part of it is a part of our game, so I understand that. Robinson had no issue with the protocols that resulted in Watson's scratching, given they were implemented to protect the health of the players. The three-time premiership-winning coach added that Watson had taken the news stoically.
It's probably who Connor is, Robinson said. Connor's a good man, a strong man, he's his own man, and so he had to control all of that. He knew we were in the middle of a training session. The absolute devastation that it is for him and all the work that's gone into his football career for him, his family, and friends, and then you get news like that - it's quite tough.
But then he spoke to the group quite clearly about how this is about the group, and he passed that on. You can have all the pain in the world, and in the present moment, that's a lot of pain for him. But he also knows who he is, what he's done, his role in this team, and what he wants from this team.
Newcastle eyes another upset
Someone as stoic as Connor is going to hold that emotion, give positive energy to the crew, and move on. That's exactly what he did. The Roosters will go into the grand final as overwhelming favourites, but Newcastle believes it has one more major upset in them. Knights coach Justin Holbrook - who has twice worked as an assistant to Robinson - dismissed suggestions his team had played their grand final early.
My response to the critics is that last week was a prelim, it wasn't a grand final. We know that, Holbrook said. Someone said it the week before after the Warriors game, that it was our grand final, but we knew it wasn't. We know the grand final is tomorrow, so we're not silly.
I can understand it because we've got on a roll and gone up the ladder over recent weeks if you want to look at it that way. But that's irrelevant now. We're so happy and excited to come to training and play, so we get another chance to do that tomorrow. We understand tomorrow is the grand final, and we've always known that.
Roosters prepare without Watson
Watson's absence is a major blow for the Roosters as they chase the premiership. His versatility and experience made him a key part of the team, and his farewell appearance will not happen as planned. The Dragons will welcome him next season, but his immediate focus will be on recovery under the concussion protocols. The debate over a week off before the grand final continues, but Robinson's stance is clear.
He believes the current system is part of the game and that momentum through the finals series is important. The Roosters will now need to adjust their lineup for the grand final against Newcastle. Newcastle, meanwhile, remains confident despite being underdogs. Holbrook's team has built momentum in recent weeks and believes it can cause an upset.
The Knights are excited for the challenge and ready to play in the grand final. Both coaches have faced questions about the buildup, but their focus is on the match. The Roosters will aim to win without Watson, while Newcastle will try to complete a remarkable run. The grand final is set to be a dramatic conclusion to the season.
theage
smh:This story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.
NRL Connor Watson Trent Robinson Grand Final Concussion Protocol NRL Grand Final Justin Holbrook Concussion Protocols
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