Connor Watson is a class act. The Roosters utility knows his place in a star-studded outfit, where he performs best in a number not listed in the starting 13.

A similar premise has been applied to the Origin cauldron. Watson is no new face to the interchange – but it’s more so the role which encompasses his start and stop career.

The 28-year-old has played 75 of 135 NRL games from the bench – starting his tenure at the Chooks as a 19-year-old wildfire.

Watson played eight games as their five-eighth in his maiden NRL season, where he earned a reputation as a line-breaking ball-runner, with dangerous acceleration and a quick shifting frame.

Fast forward to round one of the 2024 season, both he and Angus Crichton were stablemates in the Roosters’ reserve ranks – not getting a seat on the flight to Las Vegas.

Yet, the Knox Grammar graduate knew if he knuckled down, his luck would change.

After spending four seasons at Newcastle, Watson returned to where it all began a couple of years ago – with coach Trent Robinson ready to turn his ability into a NSW weapon.

“I can remember when I was talking to Nick (Politis) and Robbo about coming back and they were both like if you come back we think we can turn you into an Origin player and that was definitely a big part of why I wanted to come back to the Roosters,” Watson told The Roar.

“I’m so grateful for the club, even, last year, out for the whole season and then they re-sign me for two more years and show a lot of faith in me.

“It’s been good to pay them back.”

Watson was thrust around at the Knights as a roaming cover, jumping in at fullback for the injured Kalyn Ponga in 2019 – before moving to lock and hooker.

While he has proven a high quality cover at the Roosters, the utility knows it is the energy he inhibits, which has earned him an Origin call-up.

“Energy and intent, that’s two things I try to bring to every game, every training session,” Watson said.

“Be as energetic and go as hard as I can. Then I think the versatility as well, being able to cover all different sorts of spots.”

His sit and charge role reflects the rollercoaster of his NRL journey to date. Watson battled with an MCL injury in 2019 to his right knee, a ruptured achilles in 2020 – which ruled him out from round 11.

In 2023, the worst of his injuries hit during pre-season training. Watson tore the patella tendon in his left knee, where recovery consisted of keeping his leg straight in a brace for eight weeks. He lost all muscle in his calf and quad and couldn’t run for nearly 12 months.

He was reinstated as a Roosters regular in round three, when the Chooks thrashed South Sydney 48-6. Watson has since built up a combination with Brandon Smith, that he is hoping will generate finals success.

“I don’t want to be anywhere else, so hopefully we can continue that and look to build on our start to the year,” Watson said.

“I feel like we’ve been really good in patches, then sometimes we just haven’t turned up. The Cowboys game was disappointing and the first half of the Dogs game, other than that, it’s been there for us.”

When asked about his upcoming match-up against club teammate and Maroons prop Lindsay Collins, Watson said he won’t be making a bee-line for his mug.

“I’ll just leave him alone. He doesn’t need any more stuff done to his head, he’s pretty beaten up already, old Lindsay.”

Watson has appeared in two high pressure finals games for the Roosters, coming out the worse on both occasions. In 2017, the Chooks were booted 29-16 at home in the preliminary final – by the foot of Ethan Lowe and the Cowboys.

Skip five years and Latrell Mitchell got the better of Bondi, with the Rabbitohs winning 30-14 in the heated qualifying final that “featured” seven sin-bins.

NSW will look to use Watson to combat Harry Grant’s ruck speed and high intensity rate next Wednesday at the MCG. Whether he replaces Reece Robson, Cam Murray or even Jake Trobjevic – whatever Watson does, he will be at full tilt.