Disgusting act towards NSW star goes too far after State of Origin decider

An investigation has begun after a NSW star was involved in an ugly post-match incident following the State of Origin series decider.

NSW utility Connor Watson was almost struck by a full can of liquid in an ugly moment following Queensland’s State of Origin victory on Wednesday night.

In an incident caught on camera, the Roosters star was walking up the first tier of seating inside Accor Stadium after the post-match ceremonies were completed when an object was thrown towards him from above.

As first reported by Code Sports, the object narrowly missed Watson as he shook hands with a spectator on his way to the area at the back of the grand stand.

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The video shows people in the stadium were shouting Watson’s name before the item was thrown.

The item was reportedly a full can of beer.

Members of the stadium security eventually attended the scene.

“Stadium security staff are reviewing CCTV footage and will work with police,” a stadium spokesman said.

Watson has told Code Sports he was “shocked”.

Connor Watson was almost struck. Photo: Code Sports.

“I’ve had to go up there, my family and friends were up there,” Watson said.

“One of my mates is in a wheelchair, and he can’t come down the stairs, so I have walked up there to go see him.

“As I’m walking, a can of Canadian Club lands right next to me and it’s like someone had thrown it at me.

“If they did throw it... the words I want to use for it... I can’t say right now.

“If it was thrown, it’s disappointing to think someone thinks it’s OK to do that.

Trent Loiero is tackled by Connor Watson. Photo by Izhar KHAN / AFP.

“If that got me in the head... it seemed like it came from the top level.

“These younger guys, came up to me saying they have footage of the incident, of me walking and the can land right next to me.

“It’s disappointing to be honest.

“I’m just going up to visit my family and friends, I shouldn’t have to worry about someone throwing a can at me.

“If someone has done it, they should do something about it.”

The offender faces a ban and police may investigate.

Australian sports journalist Mark Gotlieb posted on X the person responsible should be “banned for life”.

The Blues have come under fire from rugby league commentators since Billy Slater’s Maroons came back to win the series after losing the opener at Suncorp Stadium.

NSW coach Laurie Daley and captain Isaah Yeo have been nothing but classy in the aftermath of the Maroons’ stunning 24-12 victory.

Galvanised by Cameron Munster’s brave decision to play days after his dad’s passing, the Maroons defied the odds to blow NSW off their home ground in Sydney in a blistering first half.

Nathan Cleary also showed great class in congratulating Queensland, but it has not stopped the No. 7 from a barrage of criticism.

Cleary has won three State of Origin series, but he is still yet to dominate the arena like the great rugby league halfbacks, including Andrew Johns, Johnathan Thurston and Allan Langer.

Cleary has won four premierships with Penrith and a World Cup with the Kangaroos, but he is now winless in the three Origin deciders he’s played in. Mitchell Moses has looked the most damaging NSW playmaker in recent seasons, but he missed the last two games of the year with injury.

Channel 9 caller Mat Thompson said: “He’s yet to win one. There are very few things that the 27-year-old champion halfback has not achieved in the game, but piloting his state to a victory in Game 3 is one.”

Phil Gould was scathing of NSW’s attack and the lack of spirit shown by the Blues, saying on Nine post-game: “Origin is different to club football and it looked like an Origin side playing against a club side.”

After the Blues’ shocking first half, when they trailed 20-0, Gould said: “Credit to Queensland, they’ve played perfect Origin football.

“I can’t say the same for NSW in attack. They’ve looked very predictable. They’ve looked rushed. There’s been no cohesion in defence. They’re really disconnected all up and down the field, not just on their goal line. NSW just look so predictable. There’s nothing dangerous coming at you and Queensland are really connected.

“They’ve played perfect Origin football and I don’t know what NSW are doing to be honest.”

An emotional Cleary told Nine post-game: “Shattering to be honest. Just wasn’t good enough. And at the end of the day, we probably didn’t react well enough to their rushing defence. And they saved tries, they scrambled and we struggled to do that.”

Originally published as Disgusting act towards NSW star goes too far after State of Origin decider