We need to talk about Sam

[The Marshall]

Of all the players who become
free agents for 2024 tomorrow, tbe one that makes me very nervous is Ipswich’s finest, Sam Walker.
I am getting a bit worried about talks dragging on for a month or more.

[Eggspert]

He's mentioned a few times how he loves the club & wants to stay long term.

Where else could he possibly go to further develop his game under a great coach & likely win a premiership in the near future.

It's a no brainer for him to stay.

[roostersrule2]

There haven’t even been whispers of wayno offering something stupid for him

All the noise is he’ll re-sign. Without knowing a thing I’d say he’s on about 400-450k atm, probably re-sign on another relatively short term contract (2 years) for an increased amount but nothing crazy. Could be about 500-550k, but who really knows, after that he’ll probably demand 700k+

[Timmah]

Sammy will re-sign with us- nothing surer. He loves the place.
F U Bennett , you old gank

[FlamingRooster]

He'll probably re-sign for 600 for about 2 ish years. After that we'll see

[DP1990]

He'll re-sign with us for at least 2x years for the same salary or slightly more. The next two seasons will be crucial for him as it will determine his future with the Roosters, his future market value and overall how he stacks up against the likes of 'Cleary' (who is without a shadow of doubt, the number one halfback in the comp and quite possibly his opposite #7 in regards to State of Origin over the next decade).

[Mickie Lane]

I think at this stage Sam is more than happy at the Roosters. Its pretty prestigious playing number 7 for the Roosters, a powerhouse club.
His options maybe the Broncos or Dolphins but neither of those clubs can win the comp over the next 2 years but the Roosters can.

[Dr. Voodoo Man]

IMO the biggest risk of losing Sam Walker is if his father and uncle get a first grade coaching gig. Most of the other teams are bums these days.

[SupermanSupportsEasts4Eva]

I don't see him going anywhere. He is too smart to move away from the Roosters

[bondi.boy]

He's mentioned a few times how he loves the club & wants to stay long term.

Where else could he possibly go to further develop his game under a great coach & likely win a premiership in the near future.

It's a no brainer for him to stay.

What if another club offers him $1m a season for 5 years?
The Storm, for example...or a team in Qld.

We made him, he owes us and should stay.
Ditto Suaalii.

Like Latrell, RTS, ... who departed ...in my eyes Walker owes us at least another contract for 3 or 4 years.

[RoosterFanNZ]

I guess negotiations become a bit harder when the salary cap hasn't been even confirmed for next season

[NorfolkStreetKid]

We need to keep Walker, but he will get plenty of offers and Queensland could be tempting.
But what young half would leave a team with Teddy, Joey, Suaalii, Toops, Keary around you, and JWH, Lodge, Rads, Angus up front?
Only risk is if his dad and uncle get a coaching gig, but even then he might stay. a real gutsy kid, plenty of skill and can read a game and play eyes up..... he reminds me of Alfie, and he's only 20.

Alfie played Origin at age 21, and for the broncos from age 22 and finished at age 36.
They both played Australian schoolboys aged 15 and 17 respectively.
Sam played under 18s Origin for Queensland aged 17.
Both from Ipswich, but Sam is 7 inches taller than Alfie and will probably end up 8 kgs heavier .
I hope he stays for another15 years.

[Andrew Walker]

It would take a massive offer to lure him away We only lose the ones we want to keep if what Ive mentioned happens

[HunchoRooster]

I'm hoping its just similar to the Angus stuff where we take ages to resolve it and announce it. As much as I love Easts, we are notoriously bad at updating the fans on contracts and signings. Usually gets leaked by the media and then announced 3 months later by the club.

It could also be the pending salary cap change. I can only see Sam leaving us if the following occurs:

a) he wins us a comp/grows into a premier halfback in the next 3-4 years and the Dolphins or Broncos throw disgusting money at him. (1.5+)
b) if his uncles get an NRL gig
c) if he fails to deliver for a number of seasons and the club decide to cut him loose if a huge name appears on the market.

Other than that, I can see Sam being a Rooster for the rest of the decade and becoming a club legend. Which is what I hope happens. He loves Robbo and loves the club, grew up supporting us so its a match made in heaven.

[MKCS]

If you're a young player in the NRL there are a few sides that you want to go to that will help you improve as a player, without being biased I think those teams are us, Melbourne, Penrith and MAYBE Souths. Regardless, best track record of young players going to a team and improving are us and Melbourne.

For mine Walker re-signs with us, probably spends the next 5 years with us and then a desperate team such as the Titans, Broncos, Tigers etc will drop huge money on him and then he'll probably simply be a good footballer until retirement.