Roosters stunningly withdraw contract offer to halfback Sam Walker
Sam Walker's future with the Roosters beyond the 2027 season is in doubt. (Getty Images: Matt Roberts)
In short:
The Sydney Roosters have announced that they have pulled their contact extension offer to halfback Sam Walker.
Walker won a premiership for the Roosters this year, while also making his State of Origin debut for Queensland, and international debut for Australia.
What's next?
If he is unable to revisit contract talks with the Roosters, he will be the most sought-after half in the game after November 1.
Sam Walker's future at the Sydney Roosters is uncertain after the club pulled a contract extension offer to the premiership-winning halfback.
The 24-year-old Walker, a Roosters fan as a child, has stated on several occasions in the past month that he wanted to get an extension beyond 2027 sorted at the club.
This year he represented Queensland with distinction on his State of Origin series debut.
He then debuted for Australia in a 36-22 win over Fiji on Sunday night at halfback after winning the NRL premiership with the Roosters, returning a week before the grand final in all-time record-equalling time from a syndesmosis injury.
Walker said before his Kangaroos bow against the Bati that he wanted to get through the match before considering his extension talks.
"My preference is obviously to stay at the Roosters," he said.
That aspiration is now in considerable doubt after the Roosters on Monday night dropped a bombshell statement
"The Sydney Roosters have this evening advised the management of Sam Walker that the club's offer for a contract extension beyond the 2027 season has been withdrawn after the parties were unable to reach an agreement on terms," the statement said.
"The club remains focused on maintaining a premiership-winning roster, with all recruitment and retention decisions made to support the strength, balance and long-term success of the playing squad."
The bottom line is that Walker's management and the Roosters have not been able to reach an agreement on his long-term value.
Walker, who has played 109 NRL games for the Roosters since his NRL debut in 2021, is contracted to the Tricolours in 2027.
If he is unable to revisit contract talks with the Roosters, he will be the most sought-after half in the game after November 1.
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