Sam Walker opens up on Cooper Cronk relationship in wake of Sydney Roosters axing
Sam Walker’s only interview on being dropped by the Sydney Roosters, his relationship with Cooper Cronk and where his future lies in the NRL.
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Queensland playmaking whiz-kid Sam Walker has declared he is committed to the Sydney Roosters and says he is up for the fight in the battle to salvage his NRL career at Bondi.
In his first interview since being dropped in a Bondi bombshell, Walker opened up about the toughest period of his NRL career after again being overlooked for the Roosters’ Magic Round clash against North Queensland on Sunday.
Less than two years ago, Walker was the new golden boy of the NRL after a magical debut season that finished with the kid from Ipswich crowned the 2021 Dally M Rookie of the Year.
Now, a month shy of his 21st birthday, Walker is out of favour at Bondi after being demoted by three-time premiership coach Trent Robinson, who has opted for a Joseph Manu-Luke Keary halves alliance.
But Walker – a frontline contender to succeed Daly Cherry-Evans as Queensland’s next long-term Origin halfback – says he isn’t throwing in the towel.
“I’m not giving up,” Walker said. “I will be back.”
THE AXING
Coach Robinson dropped the axe on Walker after the Roosters’ 22-12 loss to Cronulla in round 7.
Since Walker’s relegation to the NSW Cup, the Roosters have produced back-to-back wins over St George Illawarra (27-26) and New Zealand (14-0), leaving the youngster on an extended bench for the Magic Round clash against the Cowboys.
Currently in camp with the Roosters on the Sunshine Coast, Walker says he didn’t see Robinson’s big call coming, but concedes he wasn’t at his peak during the Chooks’ patchy opening six weeks.
“I never wanted to get dropped, but I will work as hard as I possibly can to get a spot back in the team,” Walker said.
“I was a bit shocked, but it wasn’t the start to the season that I ideally wanted.
“Robbo’s basic advice for me is to go back (to NSW Cup), get back to the way I play and show the form I did when I first came into grade.
“I haven’t been myself for a little while, but the last two weeks of Cup, I am trying to get back to playing the type of football that I know I can play.
“To be honest, I have lacked a bit at the start of the year and it’s been good to go back and work on my skills again without the pressure and the spotlight of the NRL.
THE ROOSTERS
It’s been reported that a number of NRL rivals are circling Walker, ready to offer a lifeline should the 20-year-old desire a fresh start.
The Roosters first won the battle for Walker’s signature in June, 2019. At the time, the 16-year-old was considered the finest young playmaker in the country.
Walker has since played 52 NRL games for the club and says he has no plans on walking out on the Roosters, who have the England-born playmaker under contract until the end of 2025.
“I definitely want to stay at the Roosters,” he said.
“The club has done a lot for me and I have been here for a few years.
“The Roosters is where I want to be and the talk about me leaving … there’s no chance.
“The Roosters gave me a great opportunity coming here and I am extremely grateful for that. I’ve played 50-odd NRL games now and it’s all thanks to the Roosters and the time and effort they have put into developing me as a player.
“I love it at this club. I’m contracted here, and my first goal is to be playing NRL for the Roosters again.
“I’ve never thought about leaving.”
THE MENTOR
Storm and Roosters icon Cooper Cronk is one of the greatest playmakers in NRL history.
He has been employed by the Roosters to specifically mentor their halves, educating Walker and chiselling away the rough edges to turn him into a finely-tuned game manager that brings premierships to Bondi.
A report last week claimed Cronk’s structured style did not suit Walker’s ad lib, freewheeling ways. But the Australian PM’s XIII representative says he would be foolish to ignore the advice of the Queensland Origin champion.
“Look, Cooper has been awesome for me,” Walker said.
“He’s a legend of the game, he’s done it all, and he has been teaching me a lot about the Roosters and the way to manage a game.
“He has put a lot of time into not only myself, but all the halves coming through at the Roosters.
“I’m not the first young guy to be dropped. I’m only 20 and it’s a long year ahead. The challenge for me now is to play my best football and show Robbo I deserve to be picked again.”
THE SCRUMBASE
There is a view Walker and halves partner Luke Keary aren’t quite jelling at the scrumbase. They have swapped the No.6 and No.7 jumpers over the past 18 months in Robinson’s quest to deliver the Roosters’ first premiership since Cronk’s retirement in 2019.
Since Keary’s return to halfback a fortnight ago, the Roosters have won consecutive games. Walker says he is open to playing halfback or five-eighth.
“I feel I’ve got a good combination with Luke,” he said.
“We have played a fair bit of footy together and I think our games work well together. ‘Kez’ is a great player, he’s won premierships, and we spend a lot of time together at training working on our combinations.
“I’m not too fazed where I play really. I am capable of playing both six or seven so I don’t feel where I play affects my game. I’ve always been a team-first sort of guy and if Robbo wants me at six or seven, I’m pretty versatile like that.
“I am always looking to evolve my game. Ever since I came into grade, I’ve got my certain style and it’s important I keep that, but then I need to evolve other areas of my game and I feel I’m doing that in the NRL.”
THE FIGHTBACK
Walker is naturally confident and insists his self-belief has not been broken by his demotion.
Rated highly by NRL Immortal Andrew Johns, the Queensland Origin hopeful insists he is the right fit for the Roosters and will not be satisfied until he brings premiership success to the club.
“Obviously, I don’t want to be in reserve grade forever,” he said.
“I have to stay patient. I’m not too sure how long it will take to get back to the NRL, all I can do at the moment is play my best footy in NSW Cup and let the rest take care of itself.
“The Roosters wanted me to go back and enjoy myself and that’s what I’m trying to do. I’m working on all my skills and hopefully I’m back in the NRL this season.
“At the end of the day, I’m only young, I’m 20 years old and I have a lot of learning to do. I’ll be fighting as hard as I can to get back in the team.
“There’s no issue with the Roosters, they have been awesome to me for a long time, as have the guys in the playing group.
“It’s my plan to get back in the NRL team as quickly as possible and I’m doing whatever I can to make that happen.”
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Originally published as Sam Walker opens up on Cooper Cronk relationship in wake of Sydney Roosters axing
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