18-year-old Sam Walker stuns NRL with insane Roosters comeback over Sharks

It was a war of attrition between two clubs that have been hit hard by injuries, but a Roosters’ young gun proved the hype is real.

The Roosters pulled off a miracle win.

The Sydney Roosters’ Sam Walker has shown he is the real deal, lead his side to a stunning 26-18 comeback over the Cronulla Sharks.

As both clubs deal with massive injury lists, with more joining from the game, it came down to rookie half Sam Walker to come up big in his second game in the NRL.

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Having been the second name behind Joseph Suaalii all off-season, Walker moved out of the shadow of his clubmate with an incredible performance.

After a difficult first half where he was targeted by the Sharks and dominated, Walker showed he has a short memory, putting his blushes behind him to lead the Roosters to an incredible comeback win.

Down 18-4, the Roosters bounced back through Drew Hutchison doing it all on his own.

With 11 minutes to go and eight points down, the Roosters needed someone to stand up.

Enter 18-year-old wunderkind Sam Walker.

The youngster channelled Luke Keary, throwing an incredible Harbour Bridge pass to Daniel Tupou to score in the corner.

The conversion was missed but Walker was far from done.

Sam Walker is here for a long time.

Getting the ball at pace and looking as though he was going to Tupou again, Walker ducked under a tackle and went himself.

“He’s over for a try, what a moment for the 18-year-old,” Fox Sports commentator Andrew Voss said. “He scores his first in the NRL. Sam Walker, for 18-all at the famous ground the Sydney Cricket Ground.

“From the pressure he was under early and the missed tackles he made in the first half, I think you’ve seen, 50 or 60 minutes later, the character of the young man. The pass for the previous try, brilliant, and now a try of his own as well, the young fella’s career is off and running.”

The kid can play! 😱#NRLRoostersSharks#TelstraPremiershippic.twitter.com/VVHsDomMXt

— NRL (@NRL) April 10, 2021

The goal was converted this time with Siosiua Taukeiaho converting the goal.

But that wasn’t all.

Next he went the other side to Brett Morris, throwing another pass over the top to hit the try scoring guru for his second of the night.

“Walker’s done it again, he’s got it out to Morris,” Voss screamed. “Oh what a play. Sam Walker. Sam Walker, remember the name. He’s had six or seven minutes from the top shelf of Johns and Thurston. Sets up two tries, scores one himself, he’s 18-years of age.”

Sam Walker is an absolute freak.

Social media lit up as Walker stood up in the championship minutes.

Sam Walker has so much composure for a 12-year-old boy #babyfacedassassin#NRLRoostersSharks

— Jamie Pandaram (@JamiePandaram) April 10, 2021

That’s the best five minutes by a Walker since that bloke strolled across the Sea of Galilee #NRLRoostersSharks

— Dominic Burke (@dominicburke) April 10, 2021

How’s this Sammy Walker 🤯 #NRLRoostersSharks#nrl

— 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐊𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐀𝐑𝐎𝐎 (@makeoutscott) April 10, 2021

Wow Sam Walker shaky start tonight but what a finish he's having!! @iam_chriswalker how good?? #NRLRoostersSharks

— Steve Hart (@SteveHart10News) April 10, 2021

Sam Walker - 😳 🤩 the @sydneyroosters have found another gem #NRLRoostersSharks#NRL

— Mathew Thompson (@MathewJThompson) April 10, 2021

Post-game, Walker heaped praise on his teammates.

“We made it real difficult for ourselves, we all just got into shape and all just executed at the end when we needed to,” he told Fox Sports.

As for his final minutes of inspiration, Walker said he just went for it.

“I saw the space and you can’t hesitate, you’ve just got to go for it, and I guess this time, luckily enough, it paid off,” he said.