Good news Roosters fans. Star half Sam Walker is set to remain in Bondi for at least two more seasons.
The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield reported the news on Monday night’s episode of NRL360, with Walker’s two-year extension set to be made official in the next couple of weeks.
It means the Roosters won’t let Walker, who was under contract until the end of 2025, hit free agency on November and give him the chance to liaise with rival clubs.
Walker missed this year’s finals series after suffering a knee injury in the Round 26 loss to Canberra and isn’t expected to return until midway through next season.
Rothfield said that Walker’s new deal will run until the end of 2027 and the added years will be worth $1 million a season.
“It will be announced either this week and next week before other clubs can get to him, not that they haven’t anyway and expressed some sort of interest,” Rothfield said.
“It’s a good contract, it’s two years, it’s a million dollars a year.
“They could have gone longer but what I love about the Roosters and the way they manage their cap is they would not pay him more than James Tedesco who is captain of that club and has been such great player.
“Teddy (James Tedesco) is on $1.15 million, they weren’t going to give Sam more than that.
“The Roosters have been particularly generous as he’ll miss half of next season but it’ll break within the next couple of weeks, Sam Walker is staying at the Roosters.”
Veteran journalist Brent Read said that Walker’s willingness to not sign earlier worked out in the end, with the Roosters upping their offer.
“He’s had a win there by holding out because the initial offer was $900k.”
With Walker out to start next season and Luke Keary heading to the Super League, the Roosters will likely unveil a new halves combo in Cowboys recruit Chad Townsend and Sandon Smith.
