Connor Watson
{{Short description|Australian rugby league footballer (born 1996)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2016}}
{{Use Australian English|date=August 2016}}
{{Infobox rugby league biography
|name = Connor Watson
|fullname =
|image = Connor Watson.jpg
|imagesize = 288
|caption =
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1996|5|31}}
|birth_place = Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia
|height = {{convert|177|cm|ftin|abbr=on}}
|weight = {{convert|89|kg|stlb|abbr=on}}
|position = {{rlp|HK|LK|FE}}{{cite web|url=https://www.roosters.com.au/teams/nrl-premiership/sydney-roosters/connor-watson/|title=Connor Watson |publisher=Roosters }}
|club1 = Sydney Roosters
|year1start = 2016
|year1end = 17
|appearances1 = 38
|tries1 = 9
|goals1 = 0
|fieldgoals1 = 0
|points1 = 36
|club2 = Newcastle Knights
|year2start = 2018
|year2end = 21
|appearances2 = 66
|tries2 = 14
|goals2 = 0
|fieldgoals2 = 0
|points2 = 56
|club3 = Sydney Roosters
|year3start = 2022
|year3end = present
|appearances3 = 52
|tries3 = 8
|goals3 = 0
|fieldgoals3 = 0
|points3 = 32
|teamA = Country NSW
|yearAstart = 2017
|yearAend =
|appearancesA = 1
|triesA = 0
|goalsA = 0
|fieldgoalsA = 0
|pointsA = 0
|teamB = {{nowrap|Indigenous All Stars}}
|yearBstart = 2020
|yearBend = 25
|appearancesB = 2
|triesB = 0
|goalsB = 0
|fieldgoalsB = 0
|pointsB = 0
|teamC = New South Wales
|yearCstart = 2024
|yearCend = present
|appearancesC = 3
|triesC = 0
|goalsC = 0
|fieldgoalsC = 0
|pointsC = 0
|retireC =
|updated = 1 June 2025
}}
Connor Watson (born 31 May 1996) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a {{rlp|hk}} for the Sydney Roosters in the National Rugby League (NRL), the Indigenous All Stars in the All Stars and as a utility for New South Wales in the State of Origin series.
He previously played for the Sydney Roosters and the Newcastle Knights in the NRL. He represented NSW Country Origin in 2017. A utility player, Watson began his NRL career off the bench before starting at {{rlp|fe}}, {{rlp|fb}} then as a {{rlp|hk}} and then as a {{rlp|lk}} in 2021.
Early life
Watson was born in Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia and is of Indigenous Australian descent.{{cite web|author=NRL|url=http://www.roosters.com.au/team/profiles/connor_watson.html|title=Connor Watson|publisher=Roosters|date=|access-date=2016-04-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160421160722/http://www.roosters.com.au/team/profiles/connor_watson.html|archive-date=21 April 2016|url-status=dead}} At the age of five,{{cite web|url=http://www.nrl.com/connor-watson-a-star-on-the-rise/tabid/10874/newsid/95088/default.aspx|title=Connor Watson a star on the rise|date=2016-02-28|publisher=NRL.com|access-date=2016-04-24}} he moved to Avoca Beach.
He played his junior rugby league for the Terrigal Sharks and Kincumber Colts, before gaining an Australian Indigenous Education Foundation (AIEF) scholarship at Knox Grammar School and playing rugby union. In an interview on the Marlee & Me podcast, Connor described being an AIEF Scholarship Student as "so good...[AIEF] do such a terrific job".{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXDCG2SjDmg&t=893s | title=Connor Watson dives into life outside of Footy: Marlee and Me - Ep 4 | NRL on Nine | website=YouTube | date=22 September 2024 }} While playing rugby union, he spent part of his time playing rugby league with the South Eastern Seagulls. He was then signed by the Sydney Roosters.
Playing career
=Early career=
In 2015 and 2016, Watson played for the Sydney Roosters' NYC team.{{cite web|url=https://nycdatabase.org/players/w/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161017074928/https://nycdatabase.org/players/w/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=17 October 2016|title=W|publisher=Nyc Database|date=|access-date=2016-04-18}}{{cite web|author=NRL|url=http://www.roosters.com.au/news/2016/03/01/nyc_team_talk_round_.html|title=NYC Team Talk | Round 1|publisher=Roosters|date=March 2016|access-date=2016-04-18}} In July 2015, he re-signed with the Sydney Roosters on a two-year contract.{{cite web|author=Published by Rocco Luca|url=http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/roosters-find-wing/|title=Roosters Find Next Wing|publisher=Rugby League Week|date=2015-07-18|access-date=2016-04-18}}
=2016=
In round 7 of the 2016 NRL season, Watson made his NRL debut for the Sydney Roosters against the Penrith Panthers.{{cite web|url=http://www.nrl.com/updated-team-lists-roosters-v-panthers/tabid/10874/newsid/94981/default.aspx|title=Updated team lists: Roosters v Panthers|publisher=NRL.com|date=2016-02-28|access-date=2016-04-18}}{{cite web|author=NRL|url=http://www.roosters.com.au/news/2016/04/18/nrl_late_mail_round_.af_news.html|title=NRL Late Mail | Round 7|publisher=Roosters|date=|access-date=2016-04-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603183625/http://www.roosters.com.au/news/2016/04/18/nrl_late_mail_round_.af_news.html|archive-date=3 June 2016|url-status=dead}} In round 13 against the Wests Tigers, he scored his first NRL try.{{cite web|url=http://www.nrl.com/roosters-down-tigers-in-big-wet/tabid/10874/newsid/97718/default.aspx|title=Roosters down Tigers in big wet|publisher=NRL.com|date=2016-02-28|access-date=2016-06-05}} In December, he extended his Roosters contract from the end of 2017 until the end of 2018.{{cite web|author=Roosters.com.au|url=http://www.zerotackle.com/connor-watson-extends-roosters-24758/|title=Connor Watson extends with Roosters|publisher=Zero Tackle|date=2016-06-05|access-date=2016-12-18}}
=2017=
At the 2017 NRL Auckland Nines in February, Watson was named player of the tournament after the Roosters won the final.{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/connor-watson-stars-as-roosters-roar-to-2017-auckland-nines-success/news-story/fb4caf4a02692980ff696c01616fee88|title=Connor Watson stars as Roosters roar to 2017 Auckland Nines success|publisher=Heraldsun.com.au|date=2017-02-05|access-date=2017-02-05}} On 7 May, Watson played for Country Origin against City Origin off the interchange bench in the 20–10 loss in Mudgee.{{cite web|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/city-down-country-2010-in-final-version-of-annual-rugby-league-fixture/news-story/e4979a3c283f8adb56a1c3c78f84d2c1|title=City down Country 20-10 in final version of annual rugby league fixture|website=www.couriermail.com.au}} On 24 July, he signed a 3-year contract with the Newcastle Knights starting in 2018, after seeking a release from the final year of his Sydney Roosters contract.{{cite web|url=https://www.zerotackle.com/connor-watson-join-knights-28408/|title= Connor Watson to join Knights|publisher= Zero Tackle|date=2017-07-24|access-date=2017-07-24}}
=2018=
In round 1 of the 2018 season, Watson made his debut for Newcastle in their 19-18 golden point extra-time win over the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles.{{cite web|url=https://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news/2018/03/09/late-mail-knights-v-manly/|title=Late mail: Knights v Manly|date=9 March 2018|publisher=|access-date=9 March 2018}} In round 2 against the Canberra Raiders, Watson scored his first try for the Newcastle club in their 30–28 win at Canberra Stadium.{{cite web|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/mitchell-pearce-kalyn-ponga-lead-newcastle-knights-to-3028-win-over-canberra-raiders/news-story/954c09c57801994cf458206b75889f90|title=Mitchell Pearce, Kalyn Ponga lead Newcastle Knights to 30-28 win over Canberra Raiders|website=www.dailytelegraph.com.au}}
=2020=
After suffering a number of ankle problems during Newcastle's 2020 NRL season, Watson suffered a ruptured achilles playing against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in the Round 11, 18–12 loss, ending his season.{{cite web|url= https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/07/26/knights-hooking-stocks-stretched-after-watson-mccullough-hobbled/|title= Watson, McCullough out for season as O'Brien blasts 'entitled' Knights|website=NRL.com|date= 26 July 2020}}
=2021=
After playing over 60 games for the Newcastle club, Watson chose to knock back a contract extension and instead signed a two-year contract to return to the Sydney Roosters in 2022.{{Cite web|url=https://www.roosters.com.au/news/2021/08/17/connor-watson-to-return-to-roosters-in-2022/|title=Connor Watson to Return to Roosters in 2022|date=17 August 2021|website=Sydney Roosters}}{{Cite web|url=https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/watson-reunite-roosters-2022-041948781.html|title=Watson to reunite with Roosters in 2022|website=au.finance.yahoo.com}}{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/knights/like-hugging-a-corpse-coach-reveals-cost-of-stars-exit-lashes-illinformed-rumours/news-story/89d3df562788c3c3541880c52051bb0d/|title='Like hugging a corpse': Coach reveals cost of star's exit, lashes 'ill-informed' rumours|website=www.foxsports.com.au|date=19 August 2021 }}
=2022=
Watson played a total of 21 games for the Sydney Roosters in the 2022 NRL season including the club’s elimination final loss to South Sydney.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2022-sydney-roosters-season-review-ins-and-outs-team-news-trent-robinson-matt-lodge-joseph-sualii/news-story/382f8d30c3ace5024a0c4f25d1920153/|title=Robbo switch that woke sleeping giant as full extent of cap crunch laid bare: Brutal Review|website=www.foxsports.com.au|date=12 September 2022 }}
= 2023 =
Watson was ruled out for the 2023 NRL season due to suffering a patella tendon injury during Roosters training.{{cite web | url=https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/news-2023-connor-watson-injured-sydney-roosters-training-session/3bb8047f-78d4-4663-a1ea-6c7d45cd12f5 | title=Roosters star suffers horror blow in training | date=6 January 2023 }}
=2024=
On 16 June, Watson was selected by New South Wales for game two of the 2024 State of Origin series.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/jun/17/state-of-origin-qld-maroons-teams-squad-announcement-nsw-blues-game-2-queensland-selection-reece-walsh-latrell-mitchell-2024#:~:text=New%20South%20Wales,Olakau'atu%2C%20Spencer%20Leniu./|title=Maroons pick Walsh as Mitchell gets Blues recall|newspaper=The Guardian|date=16 June 2024 }}
Watson played in both games two and three of the series as New South Wales won the shield 2-1.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-2024-round-20-early-mail-ins-and-outs-players-cut-team-selections-mitch-moses-injury-origin-injuries-and-suspensions/news-story/3e5722f6dc03717ef36a97b9aa3823aa/|title=Eels' worst fears; image Kevvie won't want to see in Broncos' brutal Origin blow — Late Mail|website=www.foxsports.com.au|date=21 July 2024 }}
Watson played 21 matches for the Sydney Roosters in the 2024 NRL season as they finished third on the table. Watson played in all three finals matches for the club including their preliminary final loss against Melbourne.{{cite web|url=https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/news-2024-sydney-roosters-season-review-the-mole-analysis-20241001-p5kesz.html/|title=The Mole's end of season review: Maligned signing suddenly looms as Roosters saviour after exodus, injuries|website=www.nine.com.au|date=30 September 2024 }}
=2025=
In round 2 of the 2025 NRL season, Watson scored two tries for the Sydney Roosters in their upset 38-32 victory over Penrith.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2025-penrith-panthers-vs-sydney-roosters-live-scores-teams-videos-blog-stream-round-2-nathan-cleary-james-tedesco/news-story/e8f7633a049d51e0eebb3e195dc64b92/|title=‘Upset of the season’: $11 Roosters’ boilover as Panthers miracle comeback falls short|website=www.foxsports.com.au}}
Statistics
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Year !Team !Games !Tries !Pts |
| 2016
| rowspan="2" |{{Leagueicon|Sydney|16}} Sydney Roosters |16 |5 |20 |
| 2017
|22 |4 |16 |
| 2018
| rowspan="4" |{{Leagueicon|Newcastle|16}} Newcastle Knights |15 |7 |28 |
| 2019
|21 |4 |16 |
| 2020
|5 |1 |4 |
| 2021
|25 |2 |8 |
| 2022
| rowspan="3" |{{Leagueicon|Sydney|16}} Sydney Roosters |21 |3 |12 |
| 2024
|21 |2 |8 |
| 2025
|9 |3 |12 |
| |Totals
|155 |31 |124 |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.newcastleknights.com.au/teams/telstra-premiership/newcastle-knights/connor-watson Newcastle Knights profile]
- [http://www.nrl.com/telstrapremiership/playerstats/playerprofile/tabid/10898/clubid/13/playerid/7129/seasonid/45/default.aspx NRL profile]
{{Sydney Roosters squad}}
{{Sydney Roosters 2017 Auckland Nines Champions}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Watson, Connor}}
Category:Australian rugby league players
Category:Indigenous Australian rugby league players
Category:21st-century Indigenous Australian people
Category:Country New South Wales Origin rugby league team players
Category:Newcastle Knights players
Category:Sydney Roosters players
Category:Junior Kangaroos players
Category:New South Wales Rugby League State of Origin players
Category:Rugby league five-eighths
Category:Rugby league fullbacks
Category:People educated at Knox Grammar School
Category:Rugby league players from Dubbo
Category:Rugby league players from Gosford, New South Wales