By Michael Chammas, Danny Weidler and Adrian Proszenko
Sydney Roosters halfback Sam Walker is set to sign a two-year extension with the Tricolours that will keep him at the club until the end of 2027.
Walker will end months of speculation about his future by putting pen to paper with the Roosters in the coming days.
Sam Walker and James Tedesco celebrate a try.Credit: Getty
The 22-year-old has been mulling over an extension that has been on the table at the club for a couple of months but has now agreed to recommit his future to Trent Robinson and the Roosters.
It comes just a week out from the November 1 free agency date that allows players who are off contract at the end of 2025 to begin negotiating with rival clubs for 2026.
Walker has been linked to a move back home to Queensland and the Brisbane Broncos but has decided to stay put at the club that handed him his NRL debut as a teenager. While he wouldn’t declare his extension, Walker admitted a deal was close to being announced.
“It’s getting closer,” Walker told Nine News when asked about his contract talks.
Sam Walker after injuring his knee.Credit: NRL Photos
“I’m sure there will be some stuff that comes out soon. I’m looking forward to it.”
Walker will miss at least half of next season after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in the penultimate round against Canberra.
The short-term extension means he is likely to become a free agent at the same time the NRL looks to expand to 18 or 19 teams.
The timing could see him one day become one of the most highest-paid players in the game.
Walker is already contracted for 2025, but has secured two more seasons at close to $1 million a season.
Manly consider halfback raid as Cherry-Evans ponders future
Manly are considering making a play for Gold Coast’s Tanah Boyd, a move that could result in the playmaker auditioning as the long-term successor to Daly Cherry-Evans.
Boyd is contracted until the end of 2025, but the Titans have granted him permission to immediately explore other options given the club has halves Kieran Foran, Jayden Campbell, AJ Brimson and Carter Gordon at their disposal.
Several clubs have been sounded out about the prospect of picking up Boyd, who has made 69 NRL appearances since making his debut in 2019. The 24-year-old’s availability has piqued the interest of the Sea Eagles, initially as a back-up for Cherry-Evans and potentially even as his replacement.
Cherry-Evans is contracted for next year, but is yet to decide whether it will be his last. The Maroons captain is still performing at the age of 35, but it’s unclear how long he wants to play on.
The two players originally earmarked as successors to Cherry-Evans – Josh Schuster and Jamie Humphreys – have both been released and picked up by South Sydney.
Manly have halves cover in the form of Jake Arthur, who missed a portion of last season due to stress fractures in his foot. They also recently signed Australian under-18s rugby flyhalf and captain Joey Walsh, who will step into the club’s top-30 roster in 2025, and Junior Wallaby Onitoni Large from Wests Tigers. Incumbent pivot Luke Brooks is also contracted long-term.
Tanah Boyd in action for the Titans.Credit: Getty
Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold knows Boyd from their time together at Brisbane, where the latter came through the junior ranks. Manly have opened up an additional roster spot by releasing Jaxson Paulo to the Cowboys, in return for a promising prop D’Jazirhae Pua’Avase in their supplementary list.
Manly are also toying with the idea of recruiting John Bateman, who has two years remaining on his Wests Tigers contract. A deal will only go ahead if the Tigers are prepared to significantly subsidise the transfer, making the move an outside chance.
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