An NRL star who is about to make his Origin debut for New South Wales on the hallowed turf of the MCG began dreaming big almost two decades ago after appearing in a television commercial alongside two blues greats, Nathan Hindmarsh and Matt King.
In 2006, the in-form utility man and his younger brother Fletcher were part of the NRL football cards announcement alongside NSW duo and Queensland pair Petero Civoniceva and Justin Hodges.
With long blonde hair, the star looked like he belonged more in the surf than on a football field, and now, in a coming-of-circle moment, King, 28, reminded him of the TV ad, which is one of Michael Maguire’s assistant coaches at the Blues camp.
Roosters star Connor Watson (pictured, front right) appeared in a 2006 television commercial for football cards alongside two Blues greats, Nathan Hindmarsh and Matt King (pictured, main) .
Your name? Connor Watson.
“The Origin announcement was epic, it was filmed in a parking lot of this huge industrial complex,” Watson told the Sydney Morning Herald.
‘We had Matt King’s football card, and then ‘Kingy’ ran by. Those guys were legends. After that I loved Kingy and Hindy even more.”
Hindmarsh fondly recalled taking part in the commercial and recalled that Watson, who was later an extra on Home and Away, was a “very polite and talkative boy”.
The decorated backrower, who represented NSW in 17 games, is also in no doubt that Watson will take charge in the Origin arena after he finally cracked the team this week.
Fast forward to 2024 and Connor Watson is set to make his Origin debut for New South Wales on the hallowed turf of the MCG on June 26.
The Roosters utility man has been in excellent form after missing all of last season with an injury that left him behind the eight-ball when this year’s campaign began.
Watson is relishing the opportunity to represent his state, and given that he began the year in reserve grade and missed the entire 2023 season due to a kneecap injury, his rapid rise is impressive.
“I’ve always dreamed of playing (Origin),” he said this week.
“It just shows you how fast things move in football. And if you’re playing well, you never know what can happen.”
Watson also believes his patience upon returning from last year’s knee injury has been a factor when it comes to his form in 2024.
“It’s definitely helped me get in a better position,” he said.
“The fact that (the recovery) was so slow meant that when I came back, I was ready to go.”
Watson was one of several changes to the team that lost the first game, with another replacement in Mitchell Moses stating that Nicho Hynes was a “scapegoat” for the defeat.
The second game will be played in Melbourne on June 26 and the Blues will need a win to keep the Origin series alive.