NRL: Connor Watson Ruled Out of Grand Final After Concussion Clearance Fail

2 hours ago - The Sporting Base

Sydney Roosters utility Connor Watson will miss Sunday’s NRL grand final against Newcastle, with Channel 9’s Danny Weidler reporting he has failed to clear the concussion hurdles that stood between him and a farewell appearance at Accor Stadium.

According to Zero Tackle, Weidler revealed on Friday that Watson “has now failed one of the hurdles and will miss the decider at Homebush.” The report said Watson had been fighting to avoid the NRL’s mandatory 11-day Category 1 concussion stand-down after a head knock in last week’s preliminary final win over the Dolphins.

How the clearance fight unfolded

NRL.com reported on Thursday that Watson suffered a head knock in the preliminary final and needed NRL clearance to take his place in the grand final. Roosters coach Trent Robinson said Watson had appointments on Thursday and that a ruling was expected “tonight or tomorrow” — “he’ll either be in or out.”

The Sydney Morning Herald reported Watson was initially assessed with category-two symptoms before the grading was upgraded to category one, triggering the 11-day stand-down. The Roosters had sought a review in the hope of a reclassification. At the time of writing, NRL.com had not yet published a Friday confirmation note matching Weidler’s report — TSB is treating the Channel 9 update, as carried by Zero Tackle, as the breaking attributed source.

What it means for the Roosters

Zero Tackle said Watson had been named on the bench and that 20th man Benaiah Ioelu is the likely addition, with Nat Butcher or Angus Crichton also options for increased lock minutes. The report also noted Watson has already agreed to join St George Illawarra for 2027 and that Friday’s outcome ends his Roosters career without a grand final farewell.

TSB will update if the NRL or Roosters issue an official Friday statement confirming the ruling.

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