The Sydney Roosters may have just lost their foothold atop the NRL premiership race, after halfback Sam Walker was felled by a high-grade syndesmosis injury that will keep him sidelined until next season.
Walker will immediately go in for surgery on his ankle this week after suffering the injury in a 26–12 defeat to the Redcliffe Dolphins on Saturday evening.
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The 24-year-old had been having a season to remember for the tricolours, but that came to a screeching halt after his ankle was awkwardly caught in a tackle by Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13 minutes after the half-time break. His Queensland teammate accidentally slid and made contact with Walker’s foot, bending it badly.
The Roosters halfback was helped from the field after staying on for some minutes. “It’s one of those ones you get caught in the tackle,” James Tedesco said afterwards. “I had a similar one as well, so yeah, it’s tough.”
There had been some hopes it was nothing serious, with Trent Robinson saying as much in the post-match presser; however, it quickly became clear he needed surgery.
The Roosters will be left struggling to find spine replacements for Walker, and for hooker Reece Robson, who also went off injured late on. The No.9 may be more of a chance of playing next week, though, Robinson has said.
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The team will definitely need him, especially with Walker out and first place still technically up for grabs. The Panthers, on 40 points, lead now, and the Warriors could join them Sunday if they beat the Knights. The Roosters and Dolphins are two points behind, 38 each.
The Roosters next play arch-rivals the Rabbitohs in Round 27.
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