“The first time I appeared I was in the background playing pool. I knew when the episode was coming up,and I told all my mates to watch it. I never met Alf[Stewart]. Sally[actor Kate Ritchie] might have been in the scene.

“But this has been the dream,to play Origin. It’s been one of the biggest dreams ever. To stand here now is pretty wild.”

When shown the photos of himself with a young Watson during the filing,Hindmarsh,a Parramatta legend,told this masthead:“I remember that day. I remember Connor. He was very polite and a chatty kid.

“I think we shot the ad in Balmain. I had to run. There was a lot of running involved. I was about 20kg lighter. It’s pretty cool to know he was in that ad. It was also pretty cool he was on our show[Sunday Night with Matty Johns] the other night when he got the news he was playing.

“He was about to go on air. We all congratulated him. He will do a great job. We’ve seen how he’s handled several positions for the Roosters and Knights. I don’t think the Chooks would be where they are at the moment without his contribution to the side. He’s a tough bugger who will go all day.”

Watson’s mother Jodie could not be prouder of her son,but often wishes he had pursued a career in film,given life in front of the camera was far less hazardous than playing NRL.

“I much prefer watching the ads than football,” Jodie said with a laugh. “I go to the games to support him,but I do get nervous watching.

“He’s had a lot of injuries,which had made it tough for me as his mum watching. And they haven’t been little injuries,they’ve been significant ones.

“Twelve months ago we didn’t see this happening. He didn’t even have a contract or know if he would play again. He only started running in January. We’re very proud of him.”

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