Roosters utility Connor Watson has one more box to tick before a decision is made on whether he’ll line up on Sunday night.

Meanwhile, the suspension of Knights hooker Phoenix Crossland has opened the door for an extremely rare 90-year first potentially occurring in this Sunday’s decider.

Read on for all of the Grand Final Early Mail!

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SUNDAY OCTOBER 4

Sydney Roosters vs. Newcastle Knights at Accor Stadium, @ 7.30pm

Roosters: 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 Butcher

Players cut:

Early Mail: Roosters coach Trent Robinson has revealed that Connor Watson met with an independent doctor on Thursday morning and has one more meeting on Thursday night before a decision is made on whether he’ll play on Sunday. The club hope to have his category one HIA downgraded to a category two so he can play in Sunday’s decider. Watson is said to have recovered well from the head knock he received against the Dolphins last Friday night but whether he plays will depend on the opinion of the NRL’s independent neurologist. “He had an appointment this morning that went well and he has another one this afternoon and we’ll get a ruling on that either tonight or tomorrow. He’s either in or he’s out so it’s pretty simply on our end. He deserves to play we want him to play,” Robinson said. Back up hooker Benaiah Ioelu is in the frame for a call up to the game day squad while the versatile Hugo Savala is also an option as well. When asked for his ‘plan B’ if Watson can’t go, Robinson indicated Ioelu is a live chance. “Ah Plan B… I dont think it will take much to work out what Plan B is but we’ve got some really good hookers in our… Benaiah Ioelu has played some great footy for us this year and brings a lot of energy to us as well, so he will come into consideration,” the Roosters coach said. Soon after coming from the field, Watson’s HIA was upgraded from a two to a one, which angered the Roosters, who are reportedly planning on challenging the classification. Players who are ruled to have suffered a category 1 concussion must be stood down for 11 days but there is past precedent of clubs receiving exemptions. Manly star Tolu Koula lined up for the Sea Eagles eight days after failing a HIA in an Origin match. While Watson, who heads to the Dragons next season, is desperate to play, a leading neurologist says he can’t “justify” Watson being cleared. “I’d be very surprised if an independent neurologist would clear him. I’ve seen plenty of NRL players over the years. They’ll tell you they are fine, but now we can do neurophysiological tests to give objective evidence of how the brain is functioning,” Professor Mark Parsons told the Sydney Morning Herald. “A lot of expert authorities suggest 11 days isn’t long enough when there has been a category one head injury where there has been a loss of consciousness. Looking back at the replays of the incident on Friday night, he definitely got knocked out and lost consciousness.”

Connor Watson looks on at Roosters training on Monday.Source: News Corp Australia

Knights: 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

Players cut:

Early Mail:Phoenix Crossland copped a four-match suspension for his ugly hip drop tackle on Nathan Cleary and will miss the grand final. According to coach Justin Holbrook, Harrison Graham is poised to replace Crossland in the starting hooker role. If he does, it’ll be just his fifth NRL start. “Obviously Harrison Graham has played a lot this year and I’d say that’s who will start,” Holbrook told media at Thursday’s grand final press conference at Martin Place. Crossland was understandably shattered to miss the decider, but he was named in the No. 9 jersey out of respect for his contribution this year. Following Monday night’s judiciary hearing, Crossland indicated Graham would be the man to replace him.“As soon as I walk out of this building, my focus goes to the Newcastle Knights and winning this grand final, helping Harrison Graham prepare as best he can and to get a win on Sunday,” Crossland said on Tuesday night.The 25-year-old Graham has been a strong contributor off the bench behind Crossland this season. Crossland’s ban and Graham’s promotion does open the door for 19-year-old Diesel Hagan to potentially make his NRL debut off the bench. Hagan, a Knights junior, has been named in the extended squad and Holbrook told reporters on Thursday that the teenager is “in the frame”. A talented dummy-half, Hagan has been in the game day 19 on several occasions this season without being used. Champion Newcastle hooker and Knights assistant coach Danny Buderus revealed a little bit about Hagan on NRL360. “Diesel is a fantastic kid. He’s someone that wants it yesterday. He’s just so hungry to be a part of being a Newcastle Knight and that’s his dream, to play in any NRL game. He’s yet to debut for the club. I know how much it just burns him to feel that, he’s been on standby probably four or five times this year. He’s got an amazing attitude. He’s a fantastic young kid with great values and someone that’s got a big future at the club,” Buderus said. “Harrison’s been so great for us … the different style between Harrison and Phoenix is pretty evident when Harrison comes on and it’s a good blend. We’ve got Harrison there and Diesel if anything does happen.” If Hagan does take the field, he’ll be the first player in 90 years (since 1936) to debut in a first grade grand final.