Watson is weighing up a reported three-year deal to re-sign with the Knights but has also been granted permission to negotiate with rival clubs.

The versatile 25-year-old revealed recently that he had reached out to coaches at rival clubs to gauge their interest, and he has a close relationship with Robinson after starting his career at the Roosters, before joining Newcastle in 2018.

"There's been discussions with Connor but that's as far as I'll say," Robinson said on Wednesday. "I've known him and known him as a player.

"I've talked to him but I've also tried to help him as well in other places because I've known him as well.

"We talked about two things - whether there was an opening at the Roosters but then also what are the best options for him.

"I've kept in contact with Connor for the last four years since he's been away. And I'm always there for him and other players if they need advice as well."

Meanwhile, a frustrated Robinson claims he no longer understands how the NRL interprets crusher tackles as the Sydney Roosters prepare for a run to the finals without Angus Crichton.

NSW Origin star Crichton was banned for three games for a crusher tackle on Penrith's Liam Martin last weekend, with loading from prior offences adding to the punishment.

Robinson is adamant that pressure was only applied to the neck because Martin fell and bounced backwards into the tackle, leaving Crichton with little room to move.

The Roosters did not challenge the ban at the judiciary, with Robinson admitting once there is evidence pressure is applied to the neck it is very hard to overturn. Of the 35 crusher tackle charges handed out since the introduction of a separate crusher tackle category midway through last year, only one has been challenged by a player.

"I thought I did understand what a crusher tackle is," Robinson said.

"But from one end they [the match review committee] will put out an excuse that there was mitigating factors therefore someone didn't get charged.

"And when there is mitigating factors on the other end they'll say that that was a traditional crusher.

"This one, there was pressure on Liam in that tackle, but we thought that he worked his way into that position and we thought that they could see that.

"But they obviously couldn't."

Robinson believed the league too had become confused on the issue since the crackdown began last August.

"It's so varied on where they're going to get to, they're more varied than they've ever been before." Robinson said. "They're more unsure of what a crackdown looks like."

"Our game is multiple people tackling people who are spinning and ducking their head to get to ground.

"These things are going to happen at different times and we don't want them.

"But we also understand what's going to happen in a game and for someone to miss three games is just incredible."

Robinson's comments came on the same day Daily Telegraph data revealed that the Roosters have won just 29 per cent of penalty counts since he took over as coach in 2013.

He maintains he has no idea why his team can't get on the right side of referees, with the worst penalty differential in the competition in that period.

"I've asked what we need to do differently and that hasn't come back the other way," Robinson said.

"We've been living with this for a long time so we've got to find a way to obviously improve our discipline.

"And it would be helpful if there was some areas that should be looked at. But It doesn't matter."