The Sam Walker Appreciation Society

[redwhiteblue]

Speaking of Walkers, nice to see a couple of retired Qld Roosters making themselves useful doing their bit for charity:

https://www.mygc.com.au/watch-chris-...t-for-charity/

[redwhiteblue]

Just thought I'd post some love and respect for Walker's skills against the Dragons.

It's only just sunk in that during his 4th game, he's won MOTM during an ANZAC test. This is after all the pre-season hype about how much it meant for Keary to be 'promoted' to HB, and how he'd have to step up his (already international grade) game to mKe the transition.

On the bus home today I watched the setup for Butcher's try for ~40 minutes on repeat, noticing new details every time. There's so much more to his running than what the stats say IMO!!! At the ground the guy next to me (both sitting right behind the posts where Butch scored) said that this try summed up Walked and I reckon it does. Freakish talent!!!

IMO it's scary that this guy's only played 4 games and has many years worth of development left in him.

Ism, may this thread live long and prosper right through until October..

[The Brain]

Tread carefully with him. Do not burn him out.

[NorfolkStreetKid]

Tread carefully with him. Do not burn him out.

How will anything posted here burn him out. Or anything the club does? He will have ups and downs the same as any player. He will be managed well. Just don't get the point of your post.

[ROC181]

It will be interesting next year when Keary returns. We'll suddenly have two very dominant playmakers, each calling for the ball. I wonder how you manage that?

I believe that Keary was busted coming into the season and had never fully recovered. He was complaining of a leg injury before the souths game and having to fulfil both roles may have been too much. With Walker on one side and Luke back to his left side, there will be points galore but of course they have both shown that they are capable of switching sides at will and also work together. Other halves keep to their side and that's it. We are fortunate have to creative halves for the season who enjoy running and are tough little buggers.

[zac]

as great a player as keary is i think sw is at least as good an organiser. having him there will allow keary to play his natural game, running hard for the gaps while keeping the pass option open.

i'm sweating on the re-signing of sw ...

[Bansai Pipeline]

He wants to watch those lofting cut outs. So far he's managed to throw them perfectly out of reach, but a Knight got a hand to one the other night.

[Johnny73]

If Cronk can train him to be a field general to go with that natural talent, he'll be Jonathan Thurston without the special Centrebet account.

[milanja]

He wants to watch those lofting cut outs. So far he's managed to throw them perfectly out of reach, but a Knight got a hand to one the other night.

He seems very selective when he throws them, no doubt a few might get picked off, but can’t restrict him until they continually cost us any games. Teams will obviously be shown and coached to be aware of them, but when they start to focus on that, he throws an inside ball, or a deft kick to beat them.

Is very exciting to watch.

[roostermcgregor]

I am sure I saw Walker throw a long 20+ metre pass from our left hand side attack to get the ball over to our right edge, against the Knights.
The pass was perfect, and moved the point of our attack to the other side of the field , instantly.
It reminded me of what Ricky Stuart did in his heyday.
I am not too sure if there are many players in the league that can do this.
For an 18 year old, its unbelievable.

[Larry Long Balls]

Its kind of bittersweet this year to unearth not only a player of Walker's quality but a halfback as well. IMO great halfbacks are the rarest of great footy players. Too bad we are facing such a crippling list of injuries.

[BUDDY]

He seems very selective when he throws them, no doubt a few might get picked off, but can’t restrict him until they continually cost us any games. Teams will obviously be shown and coached to be aware of them, but when they start to focus on that, he throws an inside ball, or a deft kick to beat them.

Is very exciting to watch.

His reactions are all in fast motion but it all seems slow motion in his head with 20 different camera angles knowing exactly where our players are, the defenders are and anticipating what everyone is going to do.
An amazing talent and a pleasure to watch and excited that he is ours hopefully for the rest of his career.

You can only hope he and Keary are on the field for every game next year. Imagine one on either side of the field or when they are both on one side and add Teddy, Rads, Manu and Suaalii doing their bit. The opposition won't know which way to look.

Hopefully we can go B2B again next year

[The Sack]

He wants to watch those lofting cut outs. So far he's managed to throw them perfectly out of reach, but a Knight got a hand to one the other night.

Not really. If the defense comes up quickly, he has to throw the ball over the top. He can't throw it through them. Different passes for different situations. Teams are trying to cramp him for room on the outside and rush up. He is too smart for some of these players. He can throw flats balls when needed, just wait and see. At the moment he is playing what he sees, and that is all one can do.

[Jacks Fur Coat]

Not really. If the defense comes up quickly, he has to throw the ball over the top. He can't throw it through them. Different passes for different situations. Teams are trying to cramp him for room on the outside and rush up. He is too smart for some of these players. He can throw flats balls when needed, just wait and see. At the moment he is playing what he sees, and that is all one can do.

Yeah. The high altitude lobs he is doing are specifically to take the intercept out of the equation. Also stops your own inside mate buggering it up until the boys know his game off the cuff.

The flatter bullet like passes are even more dangerous when well executed but carry the risk of interception. But they are so pretty to watch and super skilful. Benji did an absolute screamer right to left on the weekend. I'm sure they are in Sam's arsenal.

Oh, and the other reason for the lob pass is the bloody winger standing too deep and to give him time to get there. Can work out ok though.

[Mickie Lane]

I am sure I saw Walker throw a long 20+ metre pass from our left hand side attack to get the ball over to our right edge, against the Knights.
The pass was perfect, and moved the point of our attack to the other side of the field , instantly.
It reminded me of what Ricky Stuart did in his heyday.
I am not too sure if there are many players in the league that can do this.
For an 18 year old, its unbelievable.

When I went to watch the Roosters train early this year I saw Sam Walker do a round his back flick pass that came out like a bullet & go 20 metres landing perfectly on the chest of Tedesco all happening at full pace.
I would love to see him do it one day during a game.