Connor Watson has set a goal to be Newcastle’s lock forward. Coming to Newcastle in 2018 and set to be their five-eighth, Watson has played all over the park since then.
His versatility as a utility is very handy but has led to some inconsistency for him to nail down a spot. There’s an advantage and disadvantage of being a utility for reasons such as this.
However, I personally think as a 13, he’s an extra playmaker on the field and it’s his spot to own. Instead of the big, prop-sized 13s we mostly see, he brings a playmaking X-Factor to it.
Victor Radley and Brandon Smith are two prime examples to say and I won’t look past what I saw from Watson when he came off the bench as a lock this season.
In the past, I have even seen some playmakers play lock forward such as Brad Fittler, Craig Wing and Phil Blake.
Fun fact, Paul Gallen played as a five-eighth in his juniors as did another current second rower in Lachlan Fitzgibbon. Call me nuts but if I had a NSW Dream Team, Brad Fittler would be my lock forward and there’s no way I’ll look past Brett Kenny for the NSW number 6.
In some games I saw in 2019 Connor Watson played fullback. I think the role suited him well but I knew he wouldn’t take the number 1 jersey from Kalyn Ponga.
His quick running game from the hooker role was very effective in a vast majority of 2019 but with Jayden Brailey coming in 2020, it seems like he had lost his spot.
His role off the bench as a lock forward was very effective but it only was for a limited time. I believe he could even be an 80-minute playmaking lock forward. It’s commonly known the spine is fullback, five-eighth, halfback and hooker.
I’m not saying we should add lock into the spine but with the way the game has changing, the playmaking lock forward role is becoming more common so I actually think it’s more an overlooked contribution to the spine like how the drummer is commonly an overlooked member of the band.
As a playmaking lock, Watson’s versatility can be used to his fullest extent and he will be less a lock and more so an attacking fullback/five-eighth combination which can be a massive difference maker.
What do you Roarers think of this shift?
Hairy
Roar Rookie
I actually like Watson at lock, but perhaps off the bench because of Barnett. Could assist with Mann at FE who likes to run the ball. We saw what Hunt was able to do at the lock position in Original 1 with his extra creativity even with two specialist halves and fullback. Watson could unlock this for Newcastle after Barnett makes his initial impact and the game loosens up. Will be a similar role to Cameron Murray. With an unclear FE position, he could be the extra creativity needed to assist Pearce and Ponga who often seem to be swamped.
Albo
Roar Rookie
I'm afraid I can only see Connor Watson playing as a 6 or back up 9, and probably more suitable as a 14. No chance of him playing as an 80 minute 13. You need to be a tough defender for a start . Have a look at all the good 13's now, who have some linking ability, but mostly they need to be tough defenders and metre eaters in the middle third. Look at the likes of Jurbo, Murray, Radley, Fisher-Harris, Finucane, Yeo, Taumololo, Carrigan, Nathan Brown & Tapine. Watson wouldn't last 40 minutes mixing it with these types.
mushi
Roar Guru
I'm liking what's happening to the lock again. After a few years of just your biggest motor middle forward we're getting back to the mix of metre eater, ball player and tacklers. I think it's a result of the 6 again ruck speed ruck speed. I can see a ponga + creative middle working because ponga can be the guy backing up the half break created by the middle's footwork/short pass.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
He just doesnt seem to have the necessary polish, passing, kicking or wider thinking to be in the spine. He's had his fair share of injuries but this year has got to be his year so it looks like 13 or bust.
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
Hi Nat and Forever. Both Clyde and Pearce yeah. Lock has sometimes been the nsw squeeze a talent into the team spot, lol. When they didn’t do this, the guys that got picked, had multiple multiple games at lock was price, Pearce and Clyde. Three freaks right there.
Nat
Roar Rookie
Interesting positional move. Is Freddy the best NSW lock you've seen or are you trying to get all your favourite players on the park?
Mantis
Roar Guru
Watson more then held his own defending in the middle when he played hooker. I reckon with the way the game is going; a faster middle, quicker play the balls and targeting around the ruck repeatedly to get that roll on, we will see more middles in the mould of a cam murray, cheese and radley. Connor Watson fits the bill there for mine. Worth a go.
Joe
Roar Rookie
No, don't think so. 13 are now one of the best defensive players on the field next to 9s and they defend in the middle against the biggest players on the field. Add to that they play like a 3rd Prop in attack and have to be one of the big meter eaters in attack. Storm played Brandon as a Prop at times and Nelson as a 13 the roles are so interchangeable. Watson I don't think will cut it with either of these criteria.
The King of the World
Roar Guru
So would Wayne Pearce, who I’ll shift to second row alongside Steve Menzies. Bradley Clyde can take a spot on the bench. Despite predominantly a lock forward, he also has versatility as a prop and second rower.
Nat
Roar Rookie
Maybe. I'd probably keep him as the utility option rather than start in the middle. I don't think he's showed the defensive steel of Radley/Murray types. Brailey may not need cover but he can fill a few roles. Who's going to be starting 5/8 next year? Fitler at NSW Lock? Brad Clyde might be disappointed.
Willie La'ulu
Roar Guru
Naaaaaah... not very reliable defensively. I would start Barnett over him, 10 times out of 10.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I think there’s some merit that he plays off the bench replacing a middle third forward and playing as a third half. The con argument is they already have Ponga playing fullback who plays as an additional ball player... do they need four players on the field in those roles. Regardless, I’m not sure about an 80 minute role for Watson I’d argue that Smith doesn’t really play as a “ball player” and most of the time he plays that role as a 14. But regardless Smith and Radley are far stronger in defence than Watson and that’s pretty important for that role particularly as a starter Watson was a good pick up for the Knights when they were trying to rebuild but he’s getting pretty close to surplus to requirements now