NRL 2022: Rooster ready for shot at ‘favourite position’

Connor Watson hasn’t started an NRL game since March, but he’s keen to double that tally in the biggest grudge match of the season.

Victor Radley was at training on Monday. Picture: Richard Dobson

You’d have to go all the way back to the opening weekend of the season for the last time Connor Watson started a game, but the Roosters utility says he’s ready to wear the No.13 jersey for the Round 25 blockbuster against the Bunnies.

Watson’s first year back at the club started with him playing plenty of dummy-half when Sam Verrills was out injured, but the former Knight has switched to a ball-playing lock and has done a terrific job coming off the bench.

The 26-year-old has officially started eight games at lock – all of them last season – but he could be thrust into the starting side for Friday’s game at Allianz Stadium as Victor Radley recovers from a sickening head knock against the Storm.

Connor Watson could earn his second start of the season. Picture: Ian Hitchcock / Getty Images

“It’s probably my favourite position because it’s tough, but it’s enjoyable because you get the ball a lot and you get to run a lot, and those are two of the things I think I’m best at,” Watson told NCA NewsWire when asked about playing lock.

“I’m happy to do either. I started plenty of games in this role for the Knights last year and I’ve come off the bench plenty of times as well. I just enjoy playing footy, so I don’t mind what happens.”

Radley was in good spirits at Roosters HQ on Monday afternoon, but he won’t play against South Sydney after his head ended up in an awkward position while making a tackle.

Radley was attended to by medicos after the tackle.

The hard-hitting forward was convulsing on the ground and was stretchered from the field, but was then walking around in the sheds shortly after.

“He’s surprisingly fine,” Watson said.

“It was such a scary hit, just the way he was after it.

“But he’s fine, he’s bounced back and he reckons he could play this week.

“I wasn’t far away from it when it happened. It was a weird one. He started convulsing and I saw him and it’s hard because you’ve got to stay in the game, but I felt for him because it didn’t look good.”

Radley isn’t the only Roosters star who will be missing when the team sheet drops on Tuesday afternoon.

Lindsay Collins has accepted a four-game ban for a hip-drop tackle, while Daniel Tupou injured his groin against the Storm and won’t be back until the finals.

It means makeshift left centre Drew Hutchison will need a new partner out wide as he adjusts to life in his new role.

Drew Hutchison has kept established centres out of the starting side. Picture: Scott Gardiner/Getty Images

“It’s a big loss for us,” Hutchison said.

“He’s been so incredible for 10 or 12 years here, but we always speak about that next man up mentality at this club, so whoever takes his spot will be licking their lips at the opportunity to play in such a big game.

“We have a few options on the wing and we have full faith in whoever comes in.”

Hutchison is getting ready to play just his fourth game in the centres and is keen to repay the faith coach Trent Robinson has shown him in recent weeks by picking him ahead of guys who have played that position for years.

He says the toughest part is making the right defensive reads after spending the bulk of his career playing closer to the action in the halves.

“I would’ve said no chance,” he replied when asked if he thought he’d be playing centre five years ago.

“But the older I’ve got and the more aware I’ve become with my skills and what I can bring to a team, it allows me to be a lot more comfortable because I’ve put in the hard work to be across multiple positions.

“To have the coach approach you and talk about changing positions and having the confidence in you to play different positions is great.

“I speak to Robbo about it and it certainly makes you feel quite proud of yourself, knowing that he has the faith in you to cover a number of roles.”