Roosters move quickly to lock Walker up before rivals can strike

The Sydney Roosters are moving quickly behind the scenes to lock down Sam Walker late into the 2020s before he can talk to other NRL clubs and field what everyone expects will be multi-million dollar offers.

Walker, 22, has been one of the competition’s very best this year and continues to turn eyes around the NRL—a trend that’s been worrying the Roosters brass somewhat recently.

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To make sure no other interested parties can get their hands on the rising Leeds-born Queensland star, the tricolours recruitment team are putting together a hefty long-term package. The Sporting Base understands the opening terms would see him stay at Bondi until at least 2027, when the next competition team will join.

Even earlier than that, clubs like the Cowboys and Dragons—both of whom are watching very closely—could speak to Walker from November 1. He is free to join a new team in 2026.

#NRL whispers 🔵🔴🐓 Sam Walker next on the docket for @SydneyRoosters re-signing run—tricolours know 22yo will easily command $1m offers once interested rivals can open talks in November pic.twitter.com/5rORJHTUQV

— The Sporting Base – NRL (@BaseNrl) July 3, 2024

Word around the league is he could command prices of upwards of $1,000,000 a season for his services considering what he’s done for the Roosters this year. Many see his performances, as well as James Tesdesco’s resurgence, as pivotal to Sydney’s charge into the top four.

While staying at the Roosters would mean he gets a little less coin (and not much less), Walker has very publicly declared several times his top priority is to stay at the Roosters however he can.

He’s so dedicated to the cause that he fought back from NSW Cup to end last season.

All that being said, Walker and his team have yet to verbally accept anything that’s been put in front of them. The Roosters haven’t inked up a proper contract for anyone to sign yet, but early talks have been conducted and Walker’s manager has been involved every time.

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Earlier this week, the Roosters also picked up off-contract Cowboy Chad Townsend. The veteran halfback will play second fiddle to Walker and Smith as the two develop together.