Sam Walker’s contract situation has dominated headlines — but the talented halfback showed he wouldn’t be distracted by the circus in Round 24.
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs have been urged to make some sweeping changes in order to unlock a stuttering spine.
Read below for all the latest talking points out of Round 24!
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WALKER ANSWERS CRITICS AS STAR WINS BATTLE OF HALVES
Queensland halfback Sam Walker has answered his critics in emphatic fashion, producing a composed performance to help the Roosters defeat the Panthers in a huge statement victory.
After knocking back a multimillion-dollar offer from the Roosters earlier in the week, Walker entered the clash against Penrith under enormous scrutiny.
That only intensified with reports he is demanding a new contract worth $1.7 million a season.
While questions mounted over whether his contract situation could become a distraction, the young halfback instead produced a composed display when his team needed him most.
Fox League analyst and former NRL hooker Michael Ennis was particularly impressed by Walker’s ability to block out the outside noise surrounding his future and remain focused on delivering for the Tricolours.
“The build-up through the week went from can the Roosters overcome this treacherous record that they had against Penrith to all of a sudden their star halfback knocks back a deal. You just don’t hear that from the Roosters,” Ennis said on Fox League.
“And Trent Robinson had to front up, and he said, ‘I like it. I like it because he’s focusing on his footy and he’s backing himself’.
“But he had to deliver tonight and he did. And he’s done it multiple times this year when he’s been questioned.”
Walker’s scintillating performance also helped any suggestion that his contract situation was having an impact on the Roosters as a whole.
“The performance of this quality, both in attack and defence from Walker, takes the oxygen out of the potential story,” Fox League commentator Andrew Voss said.
