Roosters set to open talks with star halfback after State of Origin campaign
The Roosters will begin extension talks with star playmaker Sam Walker and his management after completing the Origin campaign, which will take his market value well over $1 million per season.
After Panthers star and NSW rival Nathan Cleary, Walker becomes the most successful No.7 out of contract in 2027, when a new NRL broadcast deal is expected to increase salary caps and player values by up to 20 per cent.
Walker and the club are yet to discuss his long-term future ahead of November 1, when rival teams could make formal offers for the Maroons No.7.
The preference for both the Roosters and Walker is to sit down after the Origin III decider on July 8; Here the 24-year-old has the chance to claim the Wally Lewis Medal as player of the series if he can lead Queensland to victory.
Walker currently reportedly earns $900,000 a year, but in a market inflated by further expansion clubs Perth and PNG, he has pushed his asking price over the million-dollar mark with two stellar performances at the Maroons scrumbase.
As well as winning the man of the match title and scoring eight goals in as many tries in Origin II, Walker was the best player on the field in game one until Kalyn Ponga was sent off and Cleary led a record NSW comeback.
Walker will play his 100th NRL game against his former junior club Brisbane on Friday night, with playmaking success still ahead of him.
“I thought it was great to watch him play and perform [in Origin] Roosters coach Trent Robinson said on Thursday that he brings with him a passion for how he loves to play the game.
“I loved how you came back [from Queensland duty] last week. He had a really good second game and then came back. [with] “For us, his focus again and the experience he will gain afterwards are very valuable.”
The fact that the Roosters have yet to begin negotiations with the halfback has raised doubts in NRL circles, but Walker has repeatedly fielded definitive questions about his future given he has 18 months left on his contract.
Asked last week how his market value had increased due to his Origin efforts, Walker said: “I haven’t had a single thought about it. I still have quite a bit of time left at the Roosters and luckily even longer.”
Walker described his return to club football after Origin as a learning process, having made his Queensland debut in the Roosters’ crushing 18-4 defeat to Melbourne a month ago.
He was one of seven NSW and Queensland representatives to support the Roosters post-Origin II and put in a strong performance in Sunday’s impressive 27-8 win over Cronulla.
Robinson selected a full-strength team to face the Broncos; because his team had its third and final farewell of the season.
Skipper James Tedesco suffered a badly broken nose against the Sharks but continued to play despite the injury and there is no doubt he will be available for Friday night’s clash at Suncorp.
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Dan Walsh is sports correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect with: X or email.
