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Connor Watson will learn by Friday whether he can play in the NRL grand final after the Roosters requested a review of his category-one concussion grading.
Connor Watson will find out by Friday whether he is free to play in Sunday's NRL grand final against Newcastle. An independent concussion consultant is prepared to allow the Sydney Roosters hooker to take the field.
Watson Faces NRL Concussion Review
Watson underwent testing with a specialist on Thursday morning and was due to have further examinations on Thursday night. The Roosters expect a ruling by Friday at the latest, ahead of their main training session. Watson was concussed last Friday in the preliminary final win against the Dolphins. He was initially ruled to have displayed category-two symptoms, which was later upgraded to a category-one concussion.
That grading automatically forced Watson to stand down from training and playing for 11 days under the NRL's concussion protocols. The mandatory rest period essentially ended his grand final dream unless the grading is successfully reviewed or he is cleared by the independent consultant. The Roosters monitored Watson's condition on Saturday and in the days that followed. The club asked the NRL to review the category-one grading and hopes it will be reclassified as a category two.
A category-two grading would remove the mandatory 11-day enforced rest and allow Watson to play against his former side. One of the country's top neurologists, Mark Parsons, stressed the risks involved in rushing Watson back. He told a masthead at the start of the week about the dangers of returning too soon after a concussion. Roosters coach Trent Robinson stressed the decision was in the hands of professionals.
He said the club would have an answer by Friday at the latest, when the Roosters are due to hold their main training session. Robinson spoke about Watson's situation at the grand final press conference during a fan fest on Thursday in Martin Place. He had an appointment this morning that went well and he has another one this afternoon, Robinson said. It is out of our hands.
Roosters Await Final Fitness Ruling
We will get a ruling on that tonight or tomorrow. He will either be in or out. It is pretty simple from our end. Watson was all smiles at the grand final fan day event in the Sydney CBD on Thursday as the club continued to have faith in his fitness.
James Tedesco led the Roosters out at Thursday's Fan Fest in Martin Place, where Robinson addressed fans about the situation. Connor has played his key role in the balance of our team in the middle of a game, Robinson said. He has really done that well. He is fit, plays multiple positions, and he is in our 17 every week for a reason.
That is a really important in for us. If he is out, I have got other players who will step in who have played many games and are really clear on their roles. Connor, we want him to play, he deserves to play. Whether he is fit to play will get decided by someone else, then we will adapt.
Robinson also dropped hints about who could replace Watson if he is deemed unfit. I do not think it would take too much to work out what plan B is. We have some really good hookers, he said. Benaiah Ioelu has played some really good footy for us this year.
Ioelu Emerges as Watson Backup
He brings a lot of energy, and he will come into consideration. Should Watson be ruled out of what would be his final game at the club, Robinson said Benaiah Ioelu loomed as the logical plan B to be the second dummy-half on the bench. Newcastle captain Kalyn Ponga will relish the chance to line up against his former flatmate in the biggest match of their careers.
Ponga is one of Watson's best friends from their days playing together at the Knights and spoke highly of him ahead of the decider. He is one of the hardest-working blokes I know, Ponga said. The injuries he has had to overcome over the years, the adversity, he is one of the most deserving blokes to be in a grand final. His Roosters teammates know just how hard he works, how committed and dedicated he is to rugby league.
If he gets cleared, I will be stoked for him. Obviously if he does not, then he has to take care of his health first. One player whose grand final hopes have already been dashed is Phoenix Crossland, the Newcastle hooker who was ruled out. Watson was knocked out on Friday night and his condition has been closely monitored since by the Roosters medical staff.
Watson's Future and Grand Final Chance
The club has been in regular contact with the NRL as it seeks clarity on the grading and Watson's availability. Watson's future beyond this season is already settled, with deals to join St George Illawarra in 2027 and the Papua New Guinea expansion side from 2028. That makes Sunday's grand final his last chance to play for the Roosters if he is cleared in time.
Whether Watson is in or out will be decided by the independent professionals, with the Roosters ready to adapt either way.
7NewsSydney 
theage:‘He deserves to play’: Roosters sweat on Connor Watson concussion verdict 
brisbanetimes:‘He deserves to play’: Roosters sweat on Connor Watson concussion verdict 
smh:‘He deserves to play’: Roosters sweat on Connor Watson concussion verdictThis story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.
NRL Connor Watson Sydney Roosters Grand Final Concussion Protocol NRL Grand Final Trent Robinson Newcastle Knights Connor Watson Concussion Benaiah Ioelu
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