‘It would be a dream come true’: Connor Watson ready for potential Blues Origin call-up 05:59

We turn our attention to State of Origin with the New South Wales side to be announced tonight. We've mentioned that Latrell Mitchell set to earn a recall for the Blues. It looks like Mitchell Moses is the frontrunner to place Nico Hines. One of the other blokes who's being mentioned as a possible bench player is Connor Watson from the Sydney Roosters.

And off the back of their win last night over the Parramatta Eels, this is what Trent Robinson had to say about Connor Watson. Yeah, look, I think he was in contention for game one and, you know, he obviously missed through the throat. And he, you know, I was about to put him out there at centre tonight. He can play hooker, he plays 13, he plays six. But his biggest asset is his energy.

He makes other guys feel really good about the way that they play. His communication skills are high. He's an incredible teammate. So, yeah, I think he put his hand up and see what they decide. Yeah, fair rap from the Roosters coach, Trent Robinson. I personally think Connor Watson's playing some of his best footy in his rugby league career, and I'm pleased to say he joins us on the line. G'day, Connor.

Hey, lads. How are we? Mate, very well. Congratulations, firstly, on the win last night, but also on your form. What would it mean to you if you were to receive a call from Michael Maguire today to represent your state in the Origin Arena? Thank you. Yeah, I mean, it'd be a dream come true if it was to happen. So we'll just see what happens. I'm not too sure. Sort of, yeah, I haven't heard anything yet. But I've just been really enjoying getting back out there and playing footy. Obviously, I missed a lot of footy last year.

didn't get to play a game so for me just getting back out there and playing footy has been the best thing. Hey Connor we just heard your coach there talking about the positions that you can fill in and you played hooker last night have you got a preferred position or are you happy just to sort of play that utility role and fill in wherever Robbo needs you?

Yeah, I've been asked this a lot sort of throughout my career, and I guess my answer to that's probably changed. I think nowadays, you know, I'm comfortable with being that utility player, but first preference is probably to play, you know, 13 and 9 in the same game, to be honest. And that's why...

it's been really good this year, like when we've had Brendan there and it's sort of allowed me to, whether I start at 13 and then once he needs a break, then go to nine, like being able to do both of those roles is, um,

has been good. I've really enjoyed that. But, you know, if I have to play six, like I really enjoyed doing that this year and obviously played a fair bit of footy at one and then just sort of wherever the team needs me. Mate, I agree with, with Levi. I think you're having your best season. You've had a fantastic season. Well,

Being a part of the Roosters sometimes must be a bit difficult because you're always up the, you know, you're up the top of the list when it comes to players. And then other times when you aren't going all that well, you get hammered, you blokes, as well. So what's it like with the Roosters? Because you do have some high-profile players. One bloke I do want you to comment about is Sam Walker, who is still a young man, but, you know, playing in a tough position. But, geez, he's gone to another level this year.

Yeah, I love it here. And I think all the boys do, you know. It's such a good club to be a part of. But like you said, you know, the club aims high. They want to compete for premierships every year. So if the team falls short of doing that, you know, I guess your position comes under scrutiny a fair bit. But I think Sam's done a terrific job. You know, we saw last year, probably didn't have the start of the year that he wanted. Then got dropped and then had to ace the partial ACL. So missed about...

I think three or four months of footy, but then once he got back in there, I think he really showed that he'd matured in that time. And once he's been back in this side, he's really owning it. It's his side now, you know, he gets us around the park and I love playing with him. Connor, you went through some tough times and you were injured and you thought about giving the game away. Can you believe that after all of that, here you are on the verge of origin selection?

Yeah, it's pretty wild, to be honest. You know, like even at the start of the year, I played the first two games of the year in reserve grade. So, yeah, for me...

You know, like it's always a goal is the, you know, as a kid, like I've always dreamt of, you know, you want to play NRL, then you want to play origin. You want to sort of win a comp. That's, you know, the big three. And when I started the year, like it was always still a goal, but it probably seemed so far away, especially when I started playing in reserve grade. But yeah,

my thought process around it all and I guess my mentality was just like, you've missed the whole year of footy. Like, let's just enjoy going back to reserve grade, you know, getting that match fitness and just finding your love for the game again because when you sort of go through those times and you're not playing, you know, you forget how fun it is. Like, and that's why you play, you know, that's why you started playing when you were a kid because of how fun it is and how good it is competing and winning with your mates. So, I don't know,

just getting the love back for that was one of the big things and then just sort of put them back to back performances together and not worrying about selections or whatever is too far ahead but just more enjoying the process and the day to day of playing again. Well I'm sure the listeners would agree, kind of listening to you speak you're an impressive young man, we've

Had the pleasure of meeting you on a number of occasions. Now, if you are to receive a phone call from Michael Maguire today, you certainly deserve it. Keep up the good work, mate, and keep doing that job for the Roosters. Your coach is impressed. That's the main thing. So good luck with it all, mate, and hopefully your name's read out tonight. Thanks, guys. Lovely to speak to you. Good on you, buddy. There he is, Connor Watson from the Sydney Roosters, and potentially earning a New South Wales call-up tonight when that team's announced by Michael Maguire, the Blues coach.