Sam Walker’s season-ending ankle injury has complicated his contract situation but led to one NRL great to float a potential scenario which could leave the Roosters high and dry.
Walker recently turned down a massive contract extension offer from the Roosters, instead wanting to focus on the club’s run to the finals.
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In an unfortunate twist, Walker will miss several weeks with an ankle injury suffered on Saturday against the Dolphins.
It now begs the question whether it’ll have any impact on what deal he could sign.
CODE Sports journalist Brent Read believes that Walker shouldn’t “lose out” because of his injury setback. In fact, it could give the playmaker more “leverage” in negotiations.
“I thought they were a little bit unders to start and I still believe they are. That hasn’t changed even though Sam is out,” Read said.
“The potential now is that they capitulate in the finals, then his price goes up potentially goes up as a result of that. Doesn’t that show how important he is to them and it gives him more leverage?
“I don’t think Sam loses out here.”
While the Roosters are the favourites to keep Walker, other clubs have been linked to the half, notably PNG.
Nathan Cleary remains the Chiefs’ top target with the Panthers superstar to hit free agency. But NRL360 host Braith Anasta wonders if Walker makes a bold move to leave the Chooks and lock down a “once-in-a-lifetime” tax-free deal.
“We hear all this talk about Nathan and PNG and we’ve heard the Chiefs are interested in Sam and want one of them at the club but if either one of them want to go there, it’s a race on,” Anasta said.
“Does Sam think now that ‘the Roosters won’t budge, I think I’m worth more. If I go to November 1, Nathan’s going to be there and I’ll be competing with him for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity’. Does Sam jump early?”
Read says it’s possible, but thinks the Chiefs will be all in on Cleary, who is set to hit free agency on November 1.
“I don’t think PNG will pull the trigger on Sam Walker unless they know they won’t get Nathan Cleary. He’s clearly their priority … They’ll wait to see what Nathan Cleary does,” Read said.
