NRL 2026, Injuries, suspension, return dates, casualty ward and key information for the 2026 NRL Telstra Premiership season

NRL Casualty Ward: Watson in doubt for decider

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Fri 25 Sep 2026, 10:45 PM

Roosters utility Connor Watson is in doubt for the grand final after failing a HIA during the first half of Friday night's win over the Dolphins.

Watson was scrapping for a loose ball on the ground in the 32nd minute and copped an accidental hip to the head from Kulikefu Finefeuiaki.

He was sent for a head injury assessment which he failed and was ruled out for the remainder of the match.

"That was a hard one because it came out as a Category 2 and then he went in to do it [the assessment] and they changed it to a Category 1 after a couple of minutes," coach Trent Robinson said post-match.

"He's in the middle of doing his tests now to see where he's at because he got ruled out of the game so I'd say that's still 'watch this space' on Connor.

"We'll see how the tests go."

The 30-year-old will now enter the concussion protocols and is in danger of missing next Sunday's grand final.

Roosters halfback Sam Walker made his return just three weeks after undergoing syndesmosis surgery and played 68 minutes before being given an early mark.

Walker suffered the injury in Round 26 and missed the Round 27 game against Souths and the two finals clashes against the Panthers and Sharks.

Another gun playmaker on track to line up in a preliminary final is Penrith's Nathan Cleary, who sustained a stress-related bone issue in his foot during the qualifying final win over the Roosters.

"Nathan had a pretty quiet week last week, but the week off was certainly nice for him and a few others," said co-captain Isaah Yeo said.

"I'm confident he'll be ready to go.

"If we had to play last week it would have been pretty sore, and he would have pushed through it, but it's settled down a little bit, so hopefully all systems go."

The Panthers welcome back Luke Garner after he was a late withdrawal from the Roosters game due to a minor groin strain.

Also back on deck is utility Jack Cogger after serving a three-game ban for a careless high tackle.

Knights captain Kalyn Ponga left the field for an HIA in the closing minutes at Eden Park following a bone-crunching hit by Leka Halasima.

Ponga passed the assessment and was back on field post-game to celebrate with his teammates.

He has been named as part of an unchanged Knights side to take on the Panthers on Sunday.

Ponga's teammate Dylan Lucas completed a remarkable recovery from a broken and dislocated ankle when he was injected into the contest against the Wahs with 15 minutes remaining.

Dolphins prop Tom Flegler failed a HIA during the first half of his team's win over the Warriors in week one and will take his place against the Roosters having cleared the concussion protocols.

The Warriors were dealt a blow early in the second half when Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad left the field for an HIA and was later ruled out for the remainder of the contest. Teammate Taine Tuaupiki also left the field late in the contest after a head knock.

To view the complete NRL Casualty Ward, please visit the hub page.