Connor Watson

[roosterproud]

Straight from the horses mouth.
im going nowhere

[2 weeks]

He seems like he is a good kid, and particularly close to Latrell, so he will be a loss.

[ccfc bondi]

Every time he comes on, his enthusiasm and speed lifts our attack. I think something has to be done to keep him. The cap shouldn't be a problem, with so many leaving. If it comes to finding him a starting position, that's what needs to be done. Like someone else said, I don't mind him at hooker ahead of Friend.

[Vasco]

I disagree. I see him as a utility because he can adequately cover a lot of positions. As you said, he can play 6 and do an adequate job at fullback. He was also close to man of the match playing hooker against the Tigers. That will do me for a utility.

I'm yet to see Matto excel at 5/8th or centre. He does a reasonable job in both positions but 'you wouldn't want him to ever play those positions regularly'

He reminds me a bit like Nat Wood.

Would be an awesome touch or oz tag player.

[Half time]

Straight from the horses mouth.
im going nowhere

You found a horse that talks? That show Mr Ed was one of my favourites back in the 70s

[Steakface]

Like someone else said, I don't mind him at hooker ahead of Friend.

I don't buy this line of thinking at all.

For the role of hooker, the only area where i think Watson has Friend beats is quick and effective scoots out of dummy half. As far as all the other elements go - defence, service, passing game, kicking game, leadership etc - Friend has him beat in all those aspects.

I hope Watson stays as i am a fan, but i can't see it happening as aside from 'bench utility' there is nowhere for him to fit into the squad.

[Guest]

I don't buy this line of thinking at all.

For the role of hooker, the only area where i think Watson has Friend beats is quick and effective scoots out of dummy half. As far as all the other elements go - defence, service, passing game, kicking game, leadership etc - Friend has him beat in all those aspects.

I hope Watson stays as i am a fan, but i can't see it happening as aside from 'bench utility' there is nowhere for him to fit into the squad.

Exactly. Any talk that Watson may be a better hooker than Friend is really quite silly.

[John Corey]

Every time he comes on, his enthusiasm and speed lifts our attack. I think something has to be done to keep him. The cap shouldn't be a problem, with so many leaving. If it comes to finding him a starting position, that's what needs to be done. Like someone else said, I don't mind him at hooker ahead of Friend.

There is a major reason our defence is so good around the ruck. Jake Friend.
I agree CW would be great in attack there tho. But it's only half the game. Not saying CW can't tackle, but our defence up the middle wouldn't be anywhere near as good.

[Headless Chook]

He reminds me a bit like Nat Wood.

Would be an awesome touch or oz tag player.

I said somewhere he reminds me of a Brett Kearnet/Brad Watts type player but Nat Wood is an even better example. I couldn't agree more.

[ithepact]

Well my worst nightmares have come to fruition. Even though he won't be a Rooster I shall keep tabs on him and wish him well and hopefully he won't make us regret it when we play the Tiges. Farewell young Connor and good luck in your career.

[roosterproud]

You found a horse that talks? That show Mr Ed was one of my favourites back in the 70s

I spoke to connor today and he said its all media bs. He is staying put

[PeeGee]

Young chook off to Tigers?










THE Wests Tigers bus appears to be heading in two different directions.



The club on Monday reportedly picked up Connor Watson on a deal that will see the promising star break his contract with the Roosters one year early to link with the Wests Tigers next season.





The Tigers have reportedly signed Watson under the pretence the 21-year-old will step into James Tedesco’s No. 1 jumper next season — when the Blues fullback moves to the Bondi club.

Watson has reportedly been offered a bumper deal worth up to $500,000 per season, but Channel 7 reported on Monday night the promise of a spot in the starting 13 of an NRL club was the driving reason behind his departure.

The elephant in the Tigers’ sheds is that star recruit Tuimoala Lolohea was given the same promise just two months ago when the Tigers signed him as their long-term fullback option to replace Tedesco.

This month’s great white hope.Source:News Corp Australia





Making the situation even more awkward was the public declarations Lolohea made that he moved to the Tigers from the Warriors because coach Ivan Cleary promised him the chance to play at five-eighth or fullback.

Since then the club has also signed Bulldogs five-eighth Josh Reynolds as part of their spending spree since it was announced Tedesco, Aaron Woods and Mitchell Moses would be leaving.

The Tigers have picked up Russell Packer, Ben Matulino and Taane Milne as well.

With Moses moving to the Eels, Lolohea has been moved to five-eighth before he was initially expected to return to the No. 1 jumper next year. Now, Watson is grabbing for the same jumper.

Lolohea suddenly finds himself at the exact same position that saw him fall out of favour and dropped from the Warriors at the start of the year.





Suddenly, Ivan Cleary’s words to his star recruit must be sounding pretty empty from where Lolohea is sitting.

“One thing I took into consideration [coming to the Tigers] was a better pathway for me,” Lolohea said of his decision to join the Tigers.

“Ivan has given me a pathway to play in the halves and he’s not expecting to chuck me in there and do some magic. He’s going to let me build my game. That kind of sold it for me. The pathway was a better opportunity for me.”

Awkward.Source:News Corp Australia





“No more in the outside backs. I didn’t play there in my career coming through as a young fella. Ivan has given me a chance to play in a position and make it mine for the rest of the year.”

He told The Daily Telegraph earlier this month his inability to find a specific role in the Warriors’ backline was his reason for asking for a release.

You can only imagine how awkward it must be now.

“I finally realised I wasn’t enjoying footy playing on the wing,’’ Lolohea said.

“It’s a bit tough, I’ve been all over the place in first grade playing different positions, and I finally came to a point where I had had enough of it. I wanted to play in a position I could get better and learn and focus on that position.

“Ivan had that specific pathway for me and told me the opportunity was mine if I wanted it, and I had to grab it.’’

It seems he has not grabbed it hard enough.

The awkwardness of the situation has not been lost on NRL fans.

The Wests Tigers’ front office has recently been heavily criticised for its handling of football and commercial operations. The signing of Watson, despite the Roosters star being a hugely talented prospect, does not reflect well on the Tigers front office.

[King Salvo]

I spoke to connor today and he said its all media bs. He is staying put

I find it hard to believe that he would be staying as 500 or 600k means he will own at least one property virtually outright by 25 in Sydney - may negative gear others into the future as well??- Tigers deal is 500 or 600k for 4 years- be 25 with still say 8 years of footy to go- more properties to negative gear unless the commo's change it - Negative gearing what a great idea