Roosters ‘concerned’ as Broncos ‘absolutely’ looking at $1m Walker to replace Reynolds
The Brisbane Broncos are reportedly considering making a big play for Roosters halfback Sam Walker who will become a free agent on November 1.
The Roosters want to avoid Walker hitting the open market and are trying to re-sign the 22-year-old playmaker but haven’t locked him down yet.
Both Walker’s father Ben and uncles, Shane and Chris, all played for the Broncos who Sam grew up supporting.
Walker was at the Broncos as a teenager but the club prioritised other young playmakers in their system and he was eventually released to the Roosters.
Brisbane’s veteran halfback Adam Reynolds will retire at the end of next season which is when Walker is currently contracted to at the Chooks.
The young gun is considered Queensland’s next State of Origin halfback and his value is increasing every week on the back of a career-best season.
Walker is among the NRL leaders for try assists (18, tied-3rd) and points scored (130, tied-4th) and has guided the Roosters into the top four.
There have been suggestions Walker could earn over $1 million per season on his next contract and the Roosters have to decide how high they’re willing to go to keep him.
“Sam Walker… there are a few murmurs around, because he hasn’t re-signed yet, that he could go to November 1, there’s a bit of concern that he could go to the open market,” Braith Anasta said on NRL 360.
Journalist James Hooper said he has “absolutely” heard the Broncos are interested in signing Walker as Reynolds’ replacement.
“He’s such an exciting young player to do what he’s doing at 22 years of age as a halfback,” Hooper said.
“Clearly he’s going to be a player who’s in demand, now the Roosters rarely get it wrong when it comes to recruitment and retention and in this case it’s retaining Sam.
“I think they’re going to have to try and strike the right price because Adam Reynolds was brought to the Brisbane Broncos to try and win them a premiership, he’s still there next year but it’s unknown beyond that.
“Sam is from Queensland, he’s an Ipswich kid, I’m sure that the Brisbane Broncos would be heavily, heavily looking (at him).
“I’d be stunned if his name hadn’t been mentioned inside the walls of the Brisbane Broncos.”
Broncos legend Gorden Tallis then asked the panel if Walker was still off the Roosters for dropping him last season.
“He went to NSW Cup then he got a little busted up and was out for an extended period, more than he and the Roosters would have liked,” Hooper said.
“But that builds character and is probably a big reason that he is where is,” Anasta responded.
“They made a tough call and you’ve got to learn your lesson if you’re not playing to the standard. He went back, re-evaluated, worked hard and now he’s even better.”
