It’s not everyday a 22-year-old halfback, who is already a bona fide NRL star and destined to play State of Origin, hits the open market.
But Roosters playmaker Sam Walker is determined to head to November 1 and learn his value, a figure that is growing with every performance.
The Roosters have offered Walker a two-year extension worth $900,000 per season, plus all the trimmings that comes with playing for the NRL’s most glamorous club.
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The Tricolours allure isn’t so much their state-of-the-art facilities but rather billionaire chairman Nick Politis, whose influence dates back decades and earned the praise of Ron Coote after he became an Immortal this week.
But for all the business connections and post-footy opportunities that Uncle Nick provides, nobody leaves $500,000 per season on the table – just ask Jarome Luai.
That number will grow even higher if Walker proves his mettle in big games this September and clubs will throw upwards of $1.4 million per season at the exciting No. 7.
That’s because, as has been the case for most of this century, there is a shortage of elite NRL halfbacks and clubs are willing to break the bank to secure one.
That investment often pays dividends – the past decade has been littered with big-name halfbacks making highly-successful moves to rival clubs.
Nicho Hynes won the Dally M Medal in his first season at the Sharks, while Adam Reynolds took the Broncos from the wooden spoon to the grand final.
Mitchell Moses steered the Eels to their first grand final in 13 years after Cooper Cronk landed at the Roosters and guided the club to back-to-back premierships.
Ben Hunt (Dragons), Chad Townsend (Cowboys) and Shaun Johnson (Warriors) all turned around their respective clubs.
However, with the exception of Moses, none of those players were as young as Walker is now when they made their moves.
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The Roosters seldom lose a player they want to keep but Walker dances to the beat of his own drum and is heavily guided by his former NRL player father Ben.
Walker Sr knows better than most just how cut-throat the business of rugby league can be, having changed clubs six times throughout his career.
Walker Sr will no doubt be telling this son that playing professional rugby league represents only a small period of your life and the opportunity to set up your family cannot be ignored.
Walker is only contracted until the end of next season which means he’ll be free to negotiate with rival clubs for 2026 and beyond from November 1.
Here foxsports.com.au analyses the five most-likely clubs in the running to sign Sam Walker.
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BRISBANE BRONCOS
You can take the boy out of Queensland, but can you take Queensland out of the boy?
Walker grew up in Brisbane aspiring to play for the Broncos like his old man and famous uncles Chris and Shane.
But the club left a bad taste in the family’s mouth when they didn’t prioritise Walker in his teens, which saw the rising star pack his bags and head to Bondi Junction.
Red Hill ain’t Bondi but the opportunity to play alongside some of the most exciting young talent in the NRL – Reece Walsh, Ezra Mam and Pat Carrigan – would be seriously tempting.
The Broncos would struggle to fit Walker into their cap but the club is famous for its third-party deals and the cost of living is significantly less in Brisvegas.
MANLY SEA EAGLES
Daly Cherry-Evans can’t play forever.
DCE is still one of the NRL’s elite halfbacks but he’ll be 38 in 2026 and Manly will need another star No. 7 to make the most of the club’s Trbojevic era.
The Sea Eagles’ have one of the best rosters in the NRL and their premiership window will stay open as long as the Trbojevic brothers are at the club.
Walker and Luke Brooks could prove a formidable halves duo, with speed to burn outside them in Jason Saab and Tolu Koula.
The problem is that Anthony Seibold was the Broncos’ coach when Walker’s path was blocked back in 2020. People have long memories in rugby league.
SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
This would be a juicy one.
There are people at the Rabbitohs who are still filthy about losing Luke Keary to the Roosters and they’d love to poach a playmaker back from their arch rivals.
The drawcard for Walker here is playing under Wayne Bennett, who his father and uncles all played under at the Broncos.
The problem is the roster. Cody Walker isn’t expected to still be playing in 2026 while Latrell Mitchell is reportedly once again considering giving the game away.
Souths will have the cash to splash on a player like Walker but he’s unlikely to join a club where he could be a one-man band.
ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
You get the feeling Shane Flanagan is building something special in Wollongong.
He took the Sharks from second last on the ladder to premiers in six seasons and he did it thanks to some big-name signings.
James Maloney, Mick Ennis and Ben Barba just to name a few.
If Flanagan is going to deliver the Dragons first premiership since 2010 then he’s going to need some special players like Walker.
It would be an enormous coup for the club but Flanno is considered one of the best recruiters in the game – just look at the Ben Hunt saga he completely reversed.
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Kalyn Ponga can’t do it all himself.
The Melbourne Storm created a dynasty by building their team around the Big Three and the Knights would be wise to attempt something similar.
They already have one. Walker makes two. Then they just need a hooker. Brandon Smith would be a great fit in Newcastle but that’s a story for another day.
The Knights current halves situation is a shambles, under pressure coach Adam O’Brien has tried six combinations this season to no avail.
It’s time to trade them all in and start again, with Walker the No. 1 priority.
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