NRL 2024: Why Brisbane Broncos need to sign Sam Walker when he becomes a free agent in November

As humbling as it is to buy back a talent that was once yours for a higher price, the Broncos simply have to throw everything they have at trying to lure Sam Walker back to Brisbane when he comes off contact in November.

The Broncos should throw all they can at Sam Walker. Picture: James Worsfold/Getty Images

What about the serendipitous timing for Sam Walker.

With the Broncos’ season in tatters, his value goes through the roof when he comes off contact on November 1.

All of a sudden this bright and shiny 22-year-old with all the talent in the world has the aura of a saviour to a club in crisis.

And where there’s demand, there’s big money.

Especially now that the Broncos can’t hide their desperation.

The cashed up Roosters are almost no chance to let him go, and after a man-of-the-match performance in Perth against the Dolphins on Friday night, the Broncos will be throwing everything at him to lure him home.

Sam Walker is set to be a popular man when he becomes a free agent. Picture: James Worsfold/Getty Images

And there’s absolutely no grey area here. They have to.

Adam Reynolds is expected to retire at the end of 2025, and there’s no clear cut replacement for him.

Jock Madden has done the job in interim, but the Broncos need a long-term halfback with star-power to steer the side for the next decade.

That’s Walker. If they have even a minute chance of getting near him.

Friday night’s performance was just another on the resume he’s building as one of the most exciting players in the game with two tries, five-tacklebusts and a line-break as the Dolphins fought for their life in Perth.

The Broncos let him slip through their hands just before he hit the NRL and the Roosters reaped the benefit of it.

And as humbling as it is to buy back a talent that was once yours for a higher price.

It’s even more embarrassing to let him run rampant as he leads a rival team to premierships for years to come.

GOLDEN BOYS

How fitting that it was the Titans who finally put a line through the Broncos.

Des Hasler’s men are a team on the up and there’s plenty of reasons to be excited about their future.

Young fullback Keano Kini is a superstar in the making. He put his Broncos opposite – Reece Walsh – to shame on Saturday afternoon.

Keano Kini won the battle of the fullbacks on Saturday. Picture: Matt Roberts/Getty Images

And even down to 12 men for the start of the first half, the Titans didn’t look like conceding a single try.

They’ve struggled with their resilience in defence this year, and that will take time to build.

But they look a completely different team when they get it right — and still Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is yet to come back next year.

Two weeks in a row now the Titans men and women’s sides have scored the double, and the hope is that winning is infectious.

They’re a scant chance to make finals, facing Cronulla at home this week, followed by the Dragons in Wollongong, the Roosters on the Gold Coast and the Knights in Newcastle.

Penrith in the last round is a killer given they’re not expected to rest any of their big guns, but anything is possible.

They just have to keep winning.

Originally published as NRL 2024: Why Brisbane Broncos need to sign Sam Walker when he becomes a free agent in November