Walker dropped

[Steggles]

Sam Walker carved up in his 33 minutes for the Roosters’ reserve grade side. Walker left the field for a HIA, which he passed, and then got an early mark to get ready to be 18th man for the NRL game.

Walker scored the Roosters’ first try and then set up two more. He also got a linebreak, two linebreak assists and 71 running metres, while also making seven tackles with zero misses.

A recall could be on the cards for Walker if Paul Momirovski’s injury forces Trent Robinson to move Joey Manu back to the centres. However, Billy Smithwas impressive in his first 80 full game since returning from an ACL injury.

Smith scored for the Roosters’ other Cup side, the Bears, he also got a linebreak, seven tackle busts and 141 running metres.

Another option is 27-year-old Junior Pauga, who is on a train-and-trial with the Roosters. Pauga started the season in the centres for the Bears but has spent the last three games on the wing. Pauga was enormous in the 29-28 win, scoring a double, setting up another try, getting three linebreaks, nine tackle busts and running for 243 metres. The Roosters would have to get an exemption to play him though given he’s not in the Top 30.

It’s an easy answer then……

1. Teddy
2. Suaalii
3. Smith
4. Manu
5. Paulo
6. Keary
7. Walker

but the coach will likely go for……

1.Teddy
2. Smith
3. Suaalii
4. Hutchinson
5. Paulo
6. Manu
7. Keary

[BillyBonkers]

I'd go with Billy Smith, might as well, now is as good a time as any.
Far too good a player to keep out of the limelight.
Please no more ACL's.

[DP1990]

I can't see Walker being picked for magic round (as I don't think Robbo will shift Manu back into right centre when Sam still requires more time to train/develop etc), so this is my predicted line-up. Brandon Smith will most-likely be rested this week due to his neck injury scare and Billy Smith will come into the side to replace Paul Momirovski. Players in my line-up from 18 - 21 could be in any variation, but I think my starting 17 will be close to what will be picked on game day.



1. Teddy
2. Allan
3. Aukuso-Suaalii
4. Billy Smith
5. Paulo
6. Manu
7. Keary
8. JWH
9. Turpin
10. Collins
11. Egan Butcher
12. Nat Butcher
13. Radley

14. Hutch
15. Crichton
16. Sitili
17. Lodge

18. Walker
19. Baker
20. Whyte
21. Brown


PS: Just my personal opinion/view

[Inflictor]

I can't see Walker being picked for magic round (as I don't think Robbo will shift Manu back into right centre when Sam still requires more time to train/develop etc), so this is my predicted line-up. Brandon Smith will most-likely be rested this week due to his neck injury scare and Billy Smith will come into the side to replace Paul Momirovski. Players in my line-up from 18 - 21 could be in any variation, but I think my starting 17 will be close to what will be picked on game day.



1. Teddy
2. Allan
3. Aukuso-Suaalii
4. Billy Smith
5. Paulo
6. Manu
7. Keary
8. JWH
9. Turpin
10. Collins
11. Egan Butcher
12. Nat Butcher
13. Radley

14. Hutch
15. Crichton
16. Sitili
17. Lodge

18. Walker
19. Baker
20. Whyte
21. Brown


PS: Just my personal opinion/view

I think that will be close.

I would be hoping for something like this:

1. Teddy
2. Billy Smith
3. Aukuso-Suaalii
4. Manu
5. Paulo
6. Keary
7. Walker
8. Lodge
9. Smith/Turpin
10. Collins
11. Crichton
12. Nat Butcher
13. Radley

14. Hutch
15. Egan Butcher
16. Sitili
17. JWH


Actually I hope it's this but this is millions.

1. Teddy
2. Paulo
3. Billy Smith
4. Manu
5. Aukuso-Suaalii

[NorfolkStreetKid]

Leaving Walker out and having Handbrake in is stupid and stubborn .

[The Marshall]

I can't see Walker being picked for magic round (as I don't think Robbo will shift Manu back into right centre when Sam still requires more time to train/develop etc), so this is my predicted line-up. Brandon Smith will most-likely be rested this week due to his neck injury scare and Billy Smith will come into the side to replace Paul Momirovski. Players in my line-up from 18 - 21 could be in any variation, but I think my starting 17 will be close to what will be picked on game day.



1. Teddy
2. Allan
3. Aukuso-Suaalii
4. Billy Smith
5. Paulo
6. Manu
7. Keary
8. JWH
9. Turpin
10. Collins
11. Egan Butcher
12. Nat Butcher
13. Radley

14. Hutch
15. Crichton
16. Sitili
17. Lodge

18. Walker
19. Baker
20. Whyte
21. Brown


PS: Just my personal opinion/view

Looks about right to me. The only other way it could
go is if they play Hutch at centre and Walker at 14. Definitely not my preference.

[King Salvo]

I can only recall Billy Smith playing left centre so he may play left wing perhaps - played the last game and a half at left centre in NSW Cup for the Bears - so can it mean another run at centre for the Hutchinator- Happy Days for his "fan" base on here

[King Salvo]

Sam Walker carved up in his 33 minutes for the Roosters’ reserve grade side. Walker left the field for a HIA, which he passed, and then got an early mark to get ready to be 18th man for the NRL game.

Walker scored the Roosters’ first try and then set up two more. He also got a linebreak, two linebreak assists and 71 running metres, while also making seven tackles with zero misses.

A recall could be on the cards for Walker if Paul Momirovski’s injury forces Trent Robinson to move Joey Manu back to the centres. However, Billy Smithwas impressive in his first 80 full game since returning from an ACL injury.

Smith scored for the Roosters’ other Cup side, the Bears, he also got a linebreak, seven tackle busts and 141 running metres.

Another option is 27-year-old Junior Pauga, who is on a train-and-trial with the Roosters. Pauga started the season in the centres for the Bears but has spent the last three games on the wing. Pauga was enormous in the 29-28 win, scoring a double, setting up another try, getting three linebreaks, nine tackle busts and running for 243 metres. The Roosters would have to get an exemption to play him though given he’s not in the Top 30.

Those are the type of stats Coach Robinson would want to see from Walker

40 passes
14 runs
Pass to run ratio - 2.93

Your running halves need to be in the 2 to 3 pass to run ratio range

Walker was nearing 6 - 5.95

Happy days for the opposition D if Walker is just passing the ball as they can concentrate their D against the players he passes the ball to.

It's like defending against a team that solely runs from dummy half or one off the ruck - any decent defence will easily accommodate that type of offense

If Walker gets his running game in order it is not so easy then for the D as they won't know if he will run / pass or even kick as he does at times.

You need to put doubt into the D's mind set.

[Thirteen]

Even if playing I don’t reckon Walker will be named in the starting side today.

[BigCok007]

Holmes for a double with Hutch opposing him

[MKCS]

Holmes for a double with Hutch opposing him

I think that's kind, minimum hattrick if Hutch is out there against a motivated Holmes...

[SupermanSupportsEasts4Eva]

With all this talk regarding Walker I don't think he is going anywhere. He is only 20. We, nor the media, have any idea what Robbo and Coops have asked Walker to work on in reserves. All Robbo has said is that "Walker IS part of our long term plans." Unlike other players who find themselves in this situation, Walker, his manager, or anyone at the club haven't come out saying he is kicking stones or wants out. He is contracted till the end of 2025 so he can't talk to other clubs now anyways. At that point Kez probably will retire so and naturally Walker will take over. This is all just media BS. Even the other day at the dogs Kyle Flanagan, his coach, Gould and the club had NFI idea who started the rumour that he wanted out. Some in the media have no leads and so create their own stories.

[JAF]

Sam Walker is committed to Sydney Roosters despite being dropped


Sam Walker’s only interview on being dropped by the Sydney Roosters, his relationship with Cooper Cronk and where his future lies in the NRL.
Peter Badel
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@badel_cmail
5 min read
May 3, 2023 - 4:00PMNews Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

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Queensland playmaking whiz-kid Sam Walker has declared he is committed to the Sydney Roosters and says he is up for the fight in the battle to salvage his NRL career at Bondi.

In his first interview since being dropped in a Bondi bombshell, Walker opened up about the toughest period of his NRL career after again being overlooked for the Roosters’ Magic Round clash against North Queensland on Sunday.

Less than two years ago, Walker was the new golden boy of the NRL after a magical debut season that finished with the kid from Ipswich crowned the 2021 Dally M Rookie of the Year.

Now, a month shy of his 21st birthday, Walker is out of favour at Bondi after being demoted by three-time premiership coach Trent Robinson, who has opted for a Joseph Manu-Luke Keary halves alliance.
Sam Walker dropped back to the Roosters reserve grade team. Picture: Damian Shaw
But Walker – a frontline contender to succeed Daly Cherry-Evans as Queensland’s next long-term Origin halfback – says he isn’t throwing in the towel.

“I’m not giving up,” Walker said. “I will be back.”
THE AXING


Coach Robinson dropped the axe on Walker after the Roosters’ 22-12 loss to Cronulla in round 7.

Since Walker’s relegation to the NSW Cup, the Roosters have produced back-to-back wins over St George Illawarra (27-26) and New Zealand (14-0), leaving the youngster on an extended bench for the Magic Round clash against the Cowboys.

Currently in camp with the Roosters on the Sunshine Coast, Walker says he didn’t see Robinson’s big call coming, but concedes he wasn’t at his peak during the Chooks’ patchy opening six weeks.

“I never wanted to get dropped, but I will work as hard as I possibly can to get a spot back in the team,” Walker said.

“I was a bit shocked, but it wasn’t the start to the season that I ideally wanted.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson and chairman Nick Politis watching Sam Walker in NSW Cup. Picture: Damian Shaw
“Robbo’s basic advice for me is to go back (to NSW Cup), get back to the way I play and show the form I did when I first came into grade.

“I haven’t been myself for a little while, but the last two weeks of Cup, I am trying to get back to playing the type of football that I know I can play.

“To be honest, I have lacked a bit at the start of the year and it’s been good to go back and work on my skills again without the pressure and the spotlight of the NRL.
THE ROOSTERS


It’s been reported that a number of NRL rivals are circling Walker, ready to offer a lifeline should the 20-year-old desire a fresh start.

The Roosters first won the battle for Walker’s signature in June, 2019. At the time, the 16-year-old was considered the finest young playmaker in the country.

Walker has since played 52 NRL games for the club and says he has no plans on walking out on the Roosters, who have the England-born playmaker under contract until the end of 2025.

“I definitely want to stay at the Roosters,” he said.
Sam Walker as a 16-year-old playing rugby for Ipswich Grammar School.The 2021 Dally M Rookie of the Year.
“The club has done a lot for me and I have been here for a few years.

“The Roosters is where I want to be and the talk about me leaving … there’s no chance.

“The Roosters gave me a great opportunity coming here and I am extremely grateful for that. I’ve played 50-odd NRL games now and it’s all thanks to the Roosters and the time and effort they have put into developing me as a player.

“I love it at this club. I’m contracted here, and my first goal is to be playing NRL for the Roosters again.

“I’ve never thought about leaving.”
THE MENTOR


Storm and Roosters icon Cooper Cronk is one of the greatest playmakers in NRL history.

He has been employed by the Roosters to specifically mentor their halves, educating Walker and chiselling away the rough edges to turn him into a finely-tuned game manager that brings premierships to Bondi.

A report last week claimed Cronk’s structured style did not suit Walker’s ad lib, freewheeling ways. But the Australian PM’s XIII representative says he would be foolish to ignore the advice of the Queensland Origin champion.

“Look, Cooper has been awesome for me,” Walker said.

“He’s a legend of the game, he’s done it all, and he has been teaching me a lot about the Roosters and the way to manage a game.

“He has put a lot of time into not only myself, but all the halves coming through at the Roosters.

“I’m not the first young guy to be dropped. I’m only 20 and it’s a long year ahead. The challenge for me now is to play my best football and show Robbo I deserve to be picked again.”
Rooster head coach Trent Robinson speaks to Cooper Cronk during a Sydney Roosters NRL training session. Picture: Getty ImagesTHE SCRUMBASE


There is a view Walker and halves partner Luke Keary aren’t quite jelling at the scrumbase. They have swapped the No.6 and No.7 jumpers over the past 18 months in Robinson’s quest to deliver the Roosters’ first premiership since Cronk’s retirement in 2019.

Since Keary’s return to halfback a fortnight ago, the Roosters have won consecutive games. Walker says he is open to playing halfback or five-eighth.

“I feel I’ve got a good combination with Luke,” he said.

“We have played a fair bit of footy together and I think our games work well together. ‘Kez’ is a great player, he’s won premierships, and we spend a lot of time together at training working on our combinations.

“I’m not too fazed where I play really. I am capable of playing both six or seven so I don’t feel where I play affects my game. I’ve always been a team-first sort of guy and if Robbo wants me at six or seven, I’m pretty versatile like that.

“I am always looking to evolve my game. Ever since I came into grade, I’ve got my certain style and it’s important I keep that, but then I need to evolve other areas of my game and I feel I’m doing that in the NRL.”
Walker wants to be back in the arms of his NRL teammates. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty ImagesTHE FIGHTBACK


Walker is naturally confident and insists his self-belief has not been broken by his demotion.

Rated highly by NRL Immortal Andrew Johns, the Queensland Origin hopeful insists he is the right fit for the Roosters and will not be satisfied until he brings premiership success to the club.

“Obviously, I don’t want to be in reserve grade forever,” he said.

“I have to stay patient. I’m not too sure how long it will take to get back to the NRL, all I can do at the moment is play my best footy in NSW Cup and let the rest take care of itself.

“The Roosters wanted me to go back and enjoy myself and that’s what I’m trying to do. I’m working on all my skills and hopefully I’m back in the NRL this season.

“At the end of the day, I’m only young, I’m 20 years old and I have a lot of learning to do. I’ll be fighting as hard as I can to get back in the team.
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“There’s no issue with the Roosters, they have been awesome to me for a long time, as have the guys in the playing group.

“It’s my plan to get back in the NRL team as quickly as possible and I’m doing whatever I can to make that happen.”

[bondi.boy]

It’s an easy answer then……

1. Teddy
2. Suaalii
3. Smith
4. Manu
5. Paulo
6. Keary
7. Walker

but the coach will likely go for……

1.Teddy
2. Smith
3. Suaalii
4. Hutchinson
5. Paulo
6. Manu
7. Keary

And lose.

[Steggles]

And lose.

unfortunately so true