Connor Watson has been ruled out of the Grand Final with concussion in a huge blow to the Sydney Roosters.
The utility lasted less than a minute in the preliminary final before receiving a big hit to his head when diving for the ball along with Dolphins star Kulikefu Finefeuiaki.
Watch every game of the 2026 NRL Telstra Premiership Finals Series before the Grand Final LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
He suffered a category-one grade concussion, which means he was automatically forced to stand down from training an playing for 11 days.
Watson underwent a series of tests this week but has failed to get his category one HIA overturned by the NRL, according to Nine.
Love all things sport? Download our new app and never miss a headline.
Benaiah Ioelu is likely to come into the six-man bench for the Roosters in Watson’s place.
Reports from the Roosters camp this week hinted that Watson was doing okay following his concussion.
But an independent NRL doctor has ruled he is not fit to play at the Accor Stadium on Sunday.
In a cruel twist that means Watson has already played his final game for the Roosters, with the 30-year-old set to join the Dragons for next season.
Watson has had two spells at the Roosters but a three-year stint at Newcastle means he missed the club’s last grand final appearance in 2019.
He has never played in a grand final in a career that has taken him to 193 NRL appearances.
Despite experts expressing doubt Watson would be passed fit, the Roosters remained hopeful, including coach Trent Robinson.
“He [Watson] had an appointment this morning that went well. He has another one this afternoon,” Robinson said at the grand final press conference on Thursday.
“It’s out of our hands. We’ll get a ruling on that tonight or tomorrow. He’ll either be in or out. It’s pretty simple from our end.
“Connor has played his key role in the balance of our team in the middle of a game. He’s really done that well. He’s fit, played multiple positions and he’s in our 17 every week for a reason.
“That’s a really important in for us. If he’s out, I’ve 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’s fit to play will get decided by someone else, then we’ll adapt.
“I don’t think it would take too much to work our what plan B is. We have some really good hookers. Benaiah Ioelu has played some really good footy for us this year. He brings a lot of energy, and he’ll come into consideration.”
Originally published as Sydney Roosters star Connor Watson ruled out of Grand Final with concussion