NRL finals: Sam Walker on Roosters future, being dropped to NSW Cup

Banished to the NSW Cup and dealing with injuries, talk about Sam Walker’s NRL future wouldn’t go away. He takes you inside the toughest period of his short career and talks with the Roosters.

Joseph Suaalii, Corey Allan and Sam Walker. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images.

A defiant Roosters halfback Sam Walker has opened up over damaging rumours he wanted to walk out on the club after a shock axing to NSW Cup, declaring: “I wasn’t going anywhere.”

A shattered Walker was dumped to reserve grade after a round seven loss to Cronulla before then spraining his ACL in late April. He only returned to the NRL a fortnight ago.

While playing NSW Cup, speculation swirled that Walker had met with Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett and wanted a return to his home state of Queensland.

There were also suggestions he was considering a code-switch to rugby union.

The conjecture was hurtful and harmful for a player who claimed he was always committed to his club.

Walker was contracted at Bondi until the end of 2025 after signing a two-year extension at the end of last year.

“There were a lot of rumours that were starting to circle about me at the club,” Walker told Roosters Radio.

“I was being really transparent with the club and they were being really transparent with me.

“As long as we were both on the same page, it made it really easy for me. I knew exactly where I sat and I knew I was dedicated to the club.

Sam Walker slides in for a try. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

“I wasn’t going anywhere and they were the same way with me.

“The noise was there but it wasn’t affecting me and the club knew exactly where we both sat.”

Walker has been in sublime form since returning to the Roosters NRL side two weeks ago and will play a key role in Saturday night’s elimination final against Cronulla at PointsBet Stadium.

He was voted players’ player against Souths last weekend.

And Walker will again form a lethal combination with halves partner and in-form Luke Keary.

“He (Keary) has comfortably been one of our best players this year,” Walker said.

“He has been on fire. I have tried to come back in and not take away from his game.

Walker’s future at the Roosters was in doubt. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

“We had a few chats before I came back in and he was able to allow me to play my game and I am just trying to bounce off the back of him as well. He has been leading the team around.

“(Keary) is in the best form I have seen him in. It’s exciting, especially at this time of the year, to play with someone that has the experience that he does. He thrives on the big moments and takes them by the horns.

“The whole team was extremely welcoming when I came back. I came back in when they had three or four wins in a row. You can feel the intensity and excitement building in the club.”

Walker has endured a challenging season but friends claim he never sulked, nor complained.

“The journey through being dropped, and then the knee injury, within a week’s span, was definitely tough,” he said.

“It’s been a longer year than I would have expected but it’s awesome to be back. And I don’t think there’s a better time to be back playing footy.

“We’re back in the finals, the boys are humming and playing really good footy. It’s all part of the journey and I wouldn’t change it. I’m happy and enjoying my footy.

“There was more time for me to spend in the gym (while injured) and there were a lot of areas that didn’t involve me kicking a footy or stepping. I worked on a lot of little skills and I could also sit back and watch more footy.”

Originally published as NRL finals: Sam Walker on Roosters future, being dropped to NSW Cup