NRL 2021: Sam Walker thriving under Luke Keary as Roosters march to unlikely top-four spot

He may not have played since round three but Luke Keary hasn’t been forgotten by the Roosters, especially Sam Walker, as the young gun helps guides the club to the finals series.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 13: Sam Walker of the Roosters during the round 22 NRL match between the Brisbane Broncos and the Sydney Roosters at Suncorp Stadium, on August 13, 2021, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

From 1000km away, three-time premiership winning playmaker Luke Keary is helping to steer the Sydney Roosters into the final series.

And he’s doing it will a little help from teen prodigy Sam Walker.

Walker has stepped in to fill the role vacated when Keary, who hasn’t travelled with the team to the Sunshine Coast, suffered a season ending ACL injury in round three.

The 19-year-old has show skill and maturity beyond his years to keep the Roosters in touch of the top four leading into September.

But it hasn’t been without Keary’s guidance.

“He [Keary] is always helping me, he’ll even give Robbo [coach Trent Robinson] a call to push me in a certain direction. He’s been enormous for me,” Walker said.

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Sam Walker is making the most of the long-distance advice from Luke Keary. Picture: NRL Images

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“Kez is obviously playing the same position as me as a halfback and he has been enormous, especially when I was back home in Sydney.

“I think he has gone through it as a halfback as well and he has always been there to help me as well.

“He is always there for a chat and if I ever need to give him a call, he’s a halfback as well and there is no better person to talk than someone you are usually around every day.”

Walker burst onto the NRL scene in round four this year and has catapulted into rookie of the year contention.

Walker admits Keary’s influence on his game has been enormous. Picture: Getty Images

The attention is enough to distract a teenager but Walker revealed both his father Ben and uncles Chris and Shane are no strangers to the limelight as former NRL stars.

“My old man and my uncles went through it when they were coming through and they have been there to tell how to handle it and that’s made it a lot easier for me,” Walker said.

“I guess it’s tougher for players who haven’t had the same up bringing. But for me it has been an easy transition.”

Roosters enforcer Victor Radley has accepted a three-week ban after pleading guilty to grade two dangerous contact for a charge down attempt on Brisbane’s Albert Kelly.

Radley joins the slew of Roosters unavailable through suspension or injury including Angus Crichton, Josh Morris, Joseph Suaalii and Linsday Collins.

“He’s all good. Obviously it’s disappointing. We all know our role, it’s next man up. He’ll miss three weeks but he’ll be back ready for finals,” Walker said.

“The rules are there in plays, obviously the way he plays, and we love the way he plays, it goes get him in trouble a couple of times.

“The judiciary is there but we wouldn’t want him to change the way he plays. I think we have to keep encouraging him and he’ll be back even better for us.”

 

Originally published as NRL 2021: Sam Walker thriving under Luke Keary as Roosters march to unlikely top-four spot