Robson ready to soak up 'surreal' Anzac Day moment

Eight years after he went within a whisker of playing in his first Anzac Day match, Reece Robson can't wait to experience the goosebump moments that one of the NRL’s most important games delivers. 

Just 19 at the time, Robson was part of Paul McGregor’s extended Dragons squad for the 2018 Anzac Day clash but didn't make the final 17.

He would go on to make his NRL debut the following week in a 34-14 win over the Storm at Kogarah.

This week the 27-year-old will line up in the Roosters starting 17 to finally experience the goosebump moments that one of the NRL’s most important games delivers. 

His former club, the Cowboys, reside in a military town with two Army battalions stationed at Townsville’s Lavarack Barracks. 

“It’s such an important part of our Australian life – for a lot of countries really – having that connection with our military and coming from a garrison city like Townsville I really got to appreciate that,” Robson told NRL.com.

“So to be in an Anzac Day game with the Roosters, with all that tradition, is going to be unreal. 

“No matter who you are, or what team you play for, everyone sits down to watch that Roosters-Dragons match. As fans of rugby league we all know it’s such a big moment in our year. 

“To get that opportunity to run out and play in that game is pretty surreal. 

The nerves will be higher as you hear all the stories of what the soldiers have done for us. To go out and represent on such an important occasion is pretty cool

Reece Robson

Robson has another ‘occasion’ of a different style that he also wants to be a part of – a fourth Origin campaign since making his debut in Game 2, 2023. 

This year he has a few hooking contenders nipping at his heels including Cronulla’s Blayke Brailey and Wests Tigers Api Koroisau, who played four Origins between 2021-23.

Robson missed the opening two rounds of the season due to a broken thumb but has been a central part of the Roosters' three wins in a row, including the second-half resurgence last weekend against the Knights.

“It’s great to be back in and playing more footy with these boys – it’s feeling more comfortable each time and we’re growing those connections,” he said. 

“The last few weeks we’ve definitely been scoring some points (107 in three games conceding 42), but there’s always room for improvement.” 

That kind of form should help Robson’s case to wear the Blues jersey for a ninth time. 

“That’s obviously a byproduct of your footy at clubland. Every year there’s always going to be people saying someone else is close, but I’ll focus on the footy I play," he said.

“Api is going very well and is a great player, so he’s obviously an option there. I’ll just keep improving my game each week and from there I’ll hopefully get to wear that Blues jersey again.”