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NRL 2024: The Roosters have signed Queensland sensation Tyson Walker, the younger brother of rising halfback Sam Walker
The Roosters may have unearthed the new version of the famous Johns brothers, after securing one of Queensland rugby league’s hottest young prospects.
The Roosters have signed the younger brother of rising halfback Sam Walker, one of Queensland’s hottest prospects which could deliver the NRL a new version of the famous Johns siblings.
Ipswich sensation Tyson Walker has joined the Bondi club on a two-year deal as he continues his pathway to the NRL.
Tyson, 16, has been training with the Roosters this summer, recently returning to Queensland as he prepares to start Year 11 at Ipswich Grammar School.
A talented fullback or five-eighth, Walker could be a long-term successor to Roosters captain James Tedesco in the No. 1 jersey or join his older brother in the halves.
Andrew and Matthew Johns dominated first grade in the late 1990s with Newcastle, winning the 1997 ARL grand final together.
Now the Walkers – sons of former Broncos playmaker Ben Walker – could create their own piece of family history in the coming years.
The Roosters have signed Ipswich sensation Tyson Walker.“Tyson wants to play footy and with his brother there, obviously he would love to play with Sam at the Roosters,” Ben Walker said.
“They would certainly be a good package deal.
“Tyson will be 18 midway through 2025, so 2026 is a realistic time frame to play NRL. Sam played NRL at 18 so it’s very possible Tyson could play NRL first year out of school.
“It’s certainly a possibility that he and Sam could be in the halves together at the Roosters. It would be great to see that.”
Much like Sam, Tyson has grown up surrounded by rugby league.
His father and uncles Shane and Chris forged significant first grade careers while Ben and Shane co-coached the Jets to the 2015 Queensland Cup premiership.
Tyson featured for Ipswich in the under-16s Cyril Connell Cup last year and said he wanted to make his own mark on the NRL.
Tyson is the 16-year-old brother of Roosters halfback Sam Walker. “I’ve been around this club since I was young, being a ball boy,” he told the QRL.
“My brother helps me out a lot. He asks me about how training’s going and whenever I go down to Sydney he is always there for me.
“Dad is always on my case. He tells me to keep eating, training and sleeping well. It’s good advice.
“I’d like to play in the NRL one day. I’ve still got a long way to go but I’m really keen to keep progressing and getting better.
“I don’t feel like I’ve got pressure on me, but my family’s been doing it for a long time and I’d like to go out there and show everyone what I can do. Hopefully I can make a big mark.”
The Jets have a partnership with the Roosters and Tyson is contracted to the Sydney club until the end of this year.
He played fullback in First XV rugby for IGS last year but prefers the halves in the 13-man code.
Andrew and Matthew Johns dominated first grade in the late 1990s with Newcastle, and now the Walker’s are eyeing their own piece of family history. Sam Walker, 21, burst on to the NRL scene with a remarkable rookie season in 2021 and has now played 56 games, but Ben said Tyson was a different talent.
“I hate comparing kids,” he said.
“To compare anyone to Sam would be unfair really because Sam is out of the box as a halfback. I haven’t seen a better kid ever than Sam and I’ve been around footy a long time.
“No one compares to Sam as a young playmaker, but Tyson plays a similar style.
“He is likely to end up a fullback or five-eighth. He is a bigger build than Sam. He has a build more like his uncle Chris, he will be more of a runner.
“With the ball, he is really skilful and has good vision. He didn’t play much footy last year because the Cyril Connell competition only goes a few months and then the GPS is only 8-10 games.
“Long term, if he is going to be playing with Sam at the Roosters, he won’t be playing halfback, he will be fullback or five-eighth.”
Walker primarily played fullback in Rugby Union, but prefers the halves in League. While the next generation of Walker brothers have dreams of playing in the NRL together, the Roosters must first keep them at the club.
Tyson’s contract expires this year and Sam is a free-agent from the end of 2025.
“Tyson doesn’t turn 17 until July and is going into year 11, so he will have another two years playing firsts for Ipswich Grammar,” Ben said.
“He played for the Jets last year in the lower grades so he’s got a big future.
“He went down and stayed with Sam for December. He played two trial matches for the Roosters under-18s team and trained with their team and did some stuff with Sam as well.
“There’s some interest in him for 2025 and I’m sure he will get a bit more interest if he keeps going on the same path he’s been on for the past 12 months.”
The Roosters may have unearthed the new version of the famous Johns brothers, after securing one of Queensland rugby league’s hottest young prospects.
The Roosters have signed the younger brother of rising halfback Sam Walker, one of Queensland’s hottest prospects which could deliver the NRL a new version of the famous Johns siblings.
Ipswich sensation Tyson Walker has joined the Bondi club on a two-year deal as he continues his pathway to the NRL.
Tyson, 16, has been training with the Roosters this summer, recently returning to Queensland as he prepares to start Year 11 at Ipswich Grammar School.
A talented fullback or five-eighth, Walker could be a long-term successor to Roosters captain James Tedesco in the No. 1 jersey or join his older brother in the halves.
Andrew and Matthew Johns dominated first grade in the late 1990s with Newcastle, winning the 1997 ARL grand final together.
Now the Walkers – sons of former Broncos playmaker Ben Walker – could create their own piece of family history in the coming years.
The Roosters have signed Ipswich sensation Tyson Walker.“Tyson wants to play footy and with his brother there, obviously he would love to play with Sam at the Roosters,” Ben Walker said.“They would certainly be a good package deal.
“Tyson will be 18 midway through 2025, so 2026 is a realistic time frame to play NRL. Sam played NRL at 18 so it’s very possible Tyson could play NRL first year out of school.
“It’s certainly a possibility that he and Sam could be in the halves together at the Roosters. It would be great to see that.”
Much like Sam, Tyson has grown up surrounded by rugby league.
His father and uncles Shane and Chris forged significant first grade careers while Ben and Shane co-coached the Jets to the 2015 Queensland Cup premiership.
Tyson featured for Ipswich in the under-16s Cyril Connell Cup last year and said he wanted to make his own mark on the NRL.
Tyson is the 16-year-old brother of Roosters halfback Sam Walker. “I’ve been around this club since I was young, being a ball boy,” he told the QRL.“My brother helps me out a lot. He asks me about how training’s going and whenever I go down to Sydney he is always there for me.
“Dad is always on my case. He tells me to keep eating, training and sleeping well. It’s good advice.
“I’d like to play in the NRL one day. I’ve still got a long way to go but I’m really keen to keep progressing and getting better.
“I don’t feel like I’ve got pressure on me, but my family’s been doing it for a long time and I’d like to go out there and show everyone what I can do. Hopefully I can make a big mark.”
The Jets have a partnership with the Roosters and Tyson is contracted to the Sydney club until the end of this year.
He played fullback in First XV rugby for IGS last year but prefers the halves in the 13-man code.
Andrew and Matthew Johns dominated first grade in the late 1990s with Newcastle, and now the Walker’s are eyeing their own piece of family history. Sam Walker, 21, burst on to the NRL scene with a remarkable rookie season in 2021 and has now played 56 games, but Ben said Tyson was a different talent.“I hate comparing kids,” he said.
“To compare anyone to Sam would be unfair really because Sam is out of the box as a halfback. I haven’t seen a better kid ever than Sam and I’ve been around footy a long time.
“No one compares to Sam as a young playmaker, but Tyson plays a similar style.
“He is likely to end up a fullback or five-eighth. He is a bigger build than Sam. He has a build more like his uncle Chris, he will be more of a runner.
“With the ball, he is really skilful and has good vision. He didn’t play much footy last year because the Cyril Connell competition only goes a few months and then the GPS is only 8-10 games.
“Long term, if he is going to be playing with Sam at the Roosters, he won’t be playing halfback, he will be fullback or five-eighth.”
Walker primarily played fullback in Rugby Union, but prefers the halves in League. While the next generation of Walker brothers have dreams of playing in the NRL together, the Roosters must first keep them at the club.Tyson’s contract expires this year and Sam is a free-agent from the end of 2025.
“Tyson doesn’t turn 17 until July and is going into year 11, so he will have another two years playing firsts for Ipswich Grammar,” Ben said.
“He played for the Jets last year in the lower grades so he’s got a big future.
“He went down and stayed with Sam for December. He played two trial matches for the Roosters under-18s team and trained with their team and did some stuff with Sam as well.
“There’s some interest in him for 2025 and I’m sure he will get a bit more interest if he keeps going on the same path he’s been on for the past 12 months.”
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