Walker intends to play with Roosters next year despite contract spat
Sam Walker intends to fulfil the final year of his Roosters deal next season despite the spectacular fallout from the unravelling of his contract negotiations.
Contract extension negotiations broke down on Monday when the Roosters pulled their three-year $4.2m extension offer. Club chairman Nick Politis was so incensed that the Walker camp asked for more time – he had been offered $1.2 million per season with a ratchet clause – that it was unclear whether the relationship was still tenable.
If the salary cap increased by 25 per cent – which is what most clubs are budgeting for – that would have taken Walker’s wage to $1.5 million. Paying any more than that was not an option for the Roosters, who privately feel the Maroons and Kangaroos playmaker wasn’t in their top-four players this year.
Sources not authorised to speak publicly believe Walker sat behind superstars James Tedesco, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Robert Toia and Naufahu Whyte in the club’s talent pecking order.
Despite that sentiment, the Roosters’ offer to Walker – before it was rescinded – would have outstripped what any of the quartet can earn.
The Roosters also feel that while Walker justified his million-dollar wage this year, steering them to a premiership behind a stacked forward pack, he still isn’t in the top echelon of NRL players.
Walker, who is in camp with Australia for the World Cup, hasn’t spoken to coach Trent Robinson since his offer was pulled.
Given the ill feeling on both sides, it’s highly unlikely the parties will get back to the negotiating table. However, Walker has told those close to him that he intends to report to pre-season training once his Kangaroos commitments and mandated holiday period is completed.
While the Roosters are prepared to move on immediately with a halves pairing of Hugo Savala and Toby Rodwell – although speculation persists that a player swap with Cowboys star Tom Dearden could eventuate – there is still a possibility that Walker could be at Bondi in 2027 if he doesn’t find a new home.
Dearden hasn’t asked for a release from North Queensland, but he has long been linked to a move to Sydney that would suit his partner, who has just given birth to a girl.
While Walker’s situation has piqued the interests of rivals, none of them can afford 24-year-old without moving on players. South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett has said there’s no space for Walker in 2027, while the Broncos – who let the Maroons playmaker slip through when he was a junior – are also close to their salary cap limit.
While it’s been suggested Melbourne could target Walker if they lose Cameron Munster, the Storm is still hopeful of retaining their pivot.
Perth is armed with a 20 per cent marquee salary cap allowance, and are the beneficiaries of a new rule that says the Bears can have first crack at any player who doesn’t fulfil his contract. However, the incoming franchise still has four roster spots that need to be filled, meaning they couldn’t accommodate Walker unless he is heavily subsidised. The Bears have opened negotiations with Matt Burton’s management in a bid to reunite him with former Bulldogs halves partner Toby Sexton.
The Roosters have made it clear they will not be paying a significant amount to get Walker off the books, a stance that could result in the parties being stuck with each other for a further 12 months.
The PNG Chiefs could turn their attention to Walker if they miss out on Penrith’s Nathan Cleary or Gold Coast tyro Zane Harrison. However, it’s unclear if Walker would be prepared to shift to Port Moresby from 2028.
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