Dropped Roosters halfback Sam Walker has opened up on his axing, his relationship with Cooper Cronk and his plans to fight his way back into the Tri-colours’ No.7 jersey.
The Daily Telegraph reported Walker is determined to return to first grade as soon as possible and hopes to stay at the Roosters long-term amid speculation rival clubs are chasing him.
“I never wanted to get dropped, but I will work as hard as I possibly can to get a spot back in the team,” Walker told The Daily Telegraph.
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“I was a bit shocked, but it wasn’t the start to the season that I ideally wanted.
“Robbo’s basic advice for me is to go back (to NSW Cup), get back to the way I play and show the form I did when I first came into grade.
“I haven’t been myself for a little while, but the last two weeks of Cup, I am trying to get back to playing the type of football that I know I can play.
“To be honest, I have lacked a bit at the start of the year and it’s been good to go back and work on my skills again without the pressure and the spotlight of the NRL.”
Walker is signed until the end of 2025, but should he stay in reserve grade long-term, speculation and interest from other clubs will only intensify.
However, Walker is not considering moving clubs and wants to win back his spot in the team.
“I’m not giving up,” Walker said.
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“I will be back.”
“I definitely want to stay at the Roosters. The club has done a lot for me and I have been here for a few years.
“The Roosters is where I want to be and the talk about me leaving … there’s no chance.
“The Roosters gave me a great opportunity coming here and I am extremely grateful for that. I’ve played 50-odd NRL games now and it’s all thanks to the Roosters and the time and effort they have put into developing me as a player.
“I love it at this club. I’m contracted here, and my first goal is to be playing NRL for the Roosters again. I’ve never thought about leaving.”
Walker’s axing sparked rumours of a rift between the 20-year-old playmaker and Roosters halves consultant Cooper Cronk over the pair’s contrasting playing styles.
However, nothing could be further from the truth according to Walker.
“Look, Cooper has been awesome for me,” Walker said.
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“He’s a legend of the game, he’s done it all, and he has been teaching me a lot about the Roosters and the way to manage a game.
“He has put a lot of time into not only myself, but all the halves coming through at the Roosters.
“I’m not the first young guy to be dropped. I’m only 20 and it’s a long year ahead. The challenge for me now is to play my best football and show Robbo I deserve to be picked again.”
Another reason speculated for Walker’s demotion is that his style is too similar to Luke Keary’s and having two small bodies in the defnesive line was hurting the Roosters’ usually staunch defensive wall.
However, Walker is confident he an Keary can coexist and thrive in the same team.
“I feel I’ve got a good combination with Luke,” Walker said.
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“We have played a fair bit of footy together and I think our games work well together. ‘Kez’ is a great player, he’s won premierships, and we spend a lot of time together at training working on our combinations.
“I’m not too fazed where I play really. I am capable of playing both six or seven so I don’t feel where I play affects my game. I’ve always been a team-first sort of guy and if Robbo wants me at six or seven, I’m pretty versatile like that.
“I am always looking to evolve my game. Ever since I came into grade, I’ve got my certain style and it’s important I keep that, but then I need to evolve other areas of my game and I feel I’m doing that in the NRL.”
The Roosters have won two games in a row without Walker and next face the lowly Cowboys, so it will be difficult to change a winning team with every mounting victory.
Walker doesn’t want to be in reserve grade much longer but admits he may have to be patient until he is needed again and his form warrants a recall.
“Obviously, I don’t want to be in reserve grade forever,” Walker said.
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“I have to stay patient. I’m not too sure how long it will take to get back to the NRL, all I can do at the moment is play my best footy in NSW Cup and let the rest take care of itself.
“The Roosters wanted me to go back and enjoy myself and that’s what I’m trying to do. I’m working on all my skills and hopefully I’m back in the NRL this season.
“At the end of the day, I’m only young, I’m 20 years old and I have a lot of learning to do. I’ll be fighting as hard as I can to get back in the team.
“There’s no issue with the Roosters, they have been awesome to me for a long time, as have the guys in the playing group.
“It’s my plan to get back in the NRL team as quickly as possible and I’m doing whatever I can to make that happen.”
