Sydney Roosters and Newcastle Knights Name NRL Grand Final Squads Amid Injury Concerns

The Sydney Roosters and Newcastle Knights have announced their squads for the upcoming NRL premiership final. Key concerns include Phoenix Crossland facing judiciary action for a hip-drop incident, leaving the hooker spot uncertain, while Connor Watson must pass an independent medical assessment after failing a head injury assessment in the preliminary final.

The Sydney Roosters and Newcastle Knights have named the squads that will battle it out for ultimate glory on Sunday when the two sides face off for the NRL premiership.

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Phoenix Crossland has been named despite already pleading guilty to his hip-drop on Nathan Cleary and will face the judiciary tonight to learn how many games he could be facing on the sidelines. It means the Roosters will be guessing to see who will line up at hooker, with Harrison Graham the logical replacement but Thomas Cant also floated as an outside chance of starting.

Elsewhere, Connor Watson failed a HIA last Friday night but will see an independent neurologist on Thursday as he hopes to be cleared for the grand final.1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4.

Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Daly Cherry-Evans 7. Sam Walker 8.

Naufahu Whyte 9. Reece Robson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Salesi Foketi 12.

Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Connor Watson 15. Angus Crichton 16.

Nat Butcher 17. Spencer Leniu 18. Hugo Savala 19. Cody Ramsey 20.

Benaiah Ioelu 21. Tommy Talau 22. Egan ButcherThe Roosters are unchanged from the squad that smashed the Dolphins in Brisbane last week, but bench utility Connor Watson, who failed a HIA in the preliminary final, still must get a clearance from an independent neurologist on Thursday to take his place in the team. His Category 2 was upgraded to a Category 1 last week and he didn’t return to the field.

Sideline reporter Jake Duke told Fox League audiences during the game that the club wasn’t happy with the independent doctor’s upgrade. Roosters coach Trent Robinson said earlier in the week that the club would give Watson every chance to play after it was reported that he was feeling fine post-match.

“He’s in the middle of doing his tests now to see where he’s at so it’s still watch this space on Connor,” Robinson said. Benaiah Ioelu, Tommy Talau and Egan Butcher have been named in the extended squad. If Watson is ruled out, it’s expected that Ioelu will come onto the interchange bench.1. Kalyn Ponga 2.

Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6.

Fletcher Sharpe 7. Sandon Smith 8. Tyson Frizell 9. Phoenix Crossland 10.

Cody Hopwood 11. Jermaine McEwen 12. Francis Manuleleua 13. Mathew Croker 14.

Harrison Graham 15. Lachlan Crouch 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Dylan Lucas 18.

Fletcher Hunt 19. Thomas Cant 20. Kyle McCarthy 21. Diesel Hagan 22. Elijah Leaumoana

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