A good friend of footy star Connor Watson has revealed why he verbally abused the Sydney Roosters hooker during an NRL match.

Watson’s mate Joey Wheatley confirmed he made a phone call when a few beers deep.

The Manly Sea Eagles fan was furious at Watson for ‘cheating’ against his side, mainly for performing an illegal strip in the recent match at Brookvale Oval.

‘You are cheating blatantly. Two in the tackle, you strip the ball (and) change the game on its head,’ Wheatley said in the heated phone call.

‘Connor, they don’t even want you there (at the Roosters). Come home (to Manly).’

The diehard Sea Eagles supporter has since jokingly reflected on his aggressive behaviour.

A good friend of footy star Connor Watson has revealed why he verbally abused the Sydney Roosters hooker during an NRL match

Joey Wheatley (pictured) took aim at Watson for an alleged ‘cheating’ action in the clash at Brookvale Oval

Watson (pictured left, with Sydney Roosters captain James Tedesco) played a starring role in his team’s 36-16 victory on March 26

‘Look, that’s not something I’m super proud of,’ Wheatley told Sportscafe Media.

‘I was a little bit inebriated at the time, but I still stick with everything I said.

‘He (Connor) did steal the ball, and it was illegal, and it wasn’t in the spirit of the game, which is how he’s played his whole career. 

‘As you know it’s been a couple of years for us (Manly)… and to see that, by a friend… more than anything, I found it most disappointing.’

Watson, 29, is contracted to the Sydney Roosters until the end of the 2027 NRL season.

But he has been linked with a move to the Sea Eagles in recent weeks, with his long-term future up in the air.

He’s set to line up for the Roosters, when they face the winless St George Illawarra Dragons on ANZAC Day at Allianz Stadium.