Rugby league legend Cooper Cronk has responded to a report claiming the family of Sam Walker believe he is ‘hamstrung’ by the style of the Roosters’ attack.
Eyebrows were raised earlier this week when Roosters coach Trent Robinson made the shock call to drop Walker to reserve grade.
The 20-year-old has played 52 NRL games since making his debut in 2021 — 48 of those starting at either five-eighth or halfback.
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But after a clunky start to 2023, Walker has been sent back to the Roosters’ reserves to work on his game with Joseph Manu to partner Luke Keary in the halves for the traditional Anzac Day clash with the Dragons.
Following Robinson’s decision, The Sydney Morning Herald reported on Wednesday that “a difference in opinion” over the how the Roosters should attack “has led to tension” between the family of Walker and the club’s coaching staff.
The report claims that the young playmaker’s family is concerned about how much input Cronk has on the style of football Walker is expected to play.
Cronk — a four-time premiership-winner and five-time Dally M Halfback of the Year — is known for being one of the all-time great structured halfbacks.
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He works closely with the Roosters’ attacking players and more specifically, Keary and Walker.
Meanwhile, Walker — the 2021 Dally M Rookie of the Year — has made a name for himself in the NRL as an off-the-cuff style of half.
Cronk was asked about the claims during Fox League’s pre-game coverage on Thursday.
“Is this the time I can get off the stage and get away from this question,” he smiled before throwing his support behind Walker to return to first grade.
“I understand it’s a huge talking point and you need to ask those questions no doubt and you should grill me.
“But the thing about this situation is, I feel like I should defend myself and my position, but it’s not about me — it’s about Sam.
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“I think he’s the most important part in all of this and my job is to help Sam to be the best version of himself — both on and off the field.
“My job is to do that and I’ll do that as long as I can. I’ll give every little bit of energy I can to that. I don’t think it’s about me, this is about Sam and he’ll be back.
“There is room for Sam in every team, in any structure, any play.
“The kid can play and if he puts a couple of things together he’ll be a very dominant half in this competition for a long, long time.”
Walker has inherited his free-flowing style from his father Ben and uncle Shane, who both played for the Broncos before co-coaching the Ipswich Jets to their maiden Queensland Cup premiership in 2015.
Queensland legend Gorden Tallis was asked for his reaction to the claims from the Walker family.
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He believes it’s likely put Walker in a “difficult position” with the Roosters.
“I think they wish that they probably didn’t say (it),” Tallis told Fox League.
“I was pretty lucky, my dad stayed out of my career. Ben’s been a player, Ben’s been a coach and when he coached, I’m not sure he’d like those headlines about his coaching style as well.
“So I think it puts Sam in a difficult position and the coach is always right. The style that suits the team… If he were James Tedesco I would understand, but he’s not James Tedesco.
So I think there’s bigger players at the club where it’s their team and you slot in until you become that man — you don’t just get the team given to you… I think you’ve got to wait your time.”
