Is Walker a half or 5/8th long term

[Arties Pie]

The Mercurial Hutchinator would certainly be an option - all you need to look at is season 2021.

I'd prefer Hastings come back than Hutch or Pearce as someone mentioned. He's matured a great deal since his last stint.

[Inflictor]

I am hearing from insiders that Cronk wants him out and so the decision seems to have been made. Which is odd because he was signed at the end of last year until end of 2025. I guess contracts come and go these days!!

Inside info is that this is Keary's last year, so it maybe Manu and Walker next year in the halves!

Wasn't this your inside info just from yesterday?
Different source I assume.
Sounds like you are really close to the inner circle.
FFS

[DP1990]

The kid started playing first grade at 18 years of age in 2021 ... and came into first grade footy at a time when the side was decimated by injuries and had to learn/develop whilst playing first grade. Most halves players will not show their full potential/capabilities until at least playing 100+ games of footy. Some young players are blessed with athleticism and being able to grow/become big and strong quicker than others i.e. Lachlan Ilias and being put into environments where they're expected to shine (cream rises to the top) i.e. playing in State of Origin, NRL Finals or playing in a team where all players are familiar with each and have have developed together from a young age (Nathan Cleary comparison).


It is absolutely unfair that the club, fans and journos MOUNT this unprecedented pressure and expectation on Walker. We as fans (and I'm sure the club as well) have to be patient with him and allow him to adjust/find his style and way without compromising the team or handicapping his abilities. Pearce was with the Roosters for '10x years' and he also started from a young age. Maybe Robbo isn't a coach who specialises in dealing with halves ? ... perhaps Cronk (arguably on the best half-backs of all time) isn't suited to coach/support the modern day halves either ? Cronk played in an era before this fast + six again style of footy came into the competition, but could he have played in the style that is in the game today ? Let's not forget, Kyle Flanagan (who was touted as the next Cronk / Cooper 2.0) didn't even last a season with us in 2020 as he struggled to change his style to suit the game.


We can't repeat the same mistakes ... we have to allow the kid some time and the right to reply and also this was always going to be an issue when you have two similar build and styles of players wearing the #6 and #7 running the show ... there has to be a point of difference somewhere and obviously Robbo doesn't see an issue with Keary so Walker has to go back to drawing board.

[Rooster90]

The kid started playing first grade at 18 years of age in 2021 ... and came into first grade footy at a time when the side was decimated by injuries and had to learn/develop whilst playing first grade. Most halves players will not show their full potential/capabilities until at least playing 100+ games of footy. Some young players are blessed with athleticism and being able to grow/become big and strong quicker than others i.e. Lachlan Ilias and being put into environments where they're expected to shine (cream rises to the top) i.e. playing in State of Origin, NRL Finals or playing in a team where all players are familiar with each and have have developed together from a young age (Nathan Cleary comparison).


It is absolutely unfair that the club, fans and journos MOUNT this unprecedented pressure and expectation on Walker. We as fans (and I'm sure the club as well) have to be patient with him and allow him to adjust/find his style and way without compromising the team or handicapping his abilities. Pearce was with the Roosters for '10x years' and he also started from a young age. Maybe Robbo isn't a coach who specialises in dealing with halves ? ... perhaps Cronk (arguably on the best half-backs of all time) isn't suited to coach/support the modern day halves either ? Cronk played in an era before this fast + six again style of footy came into the competition, but could he have played in the style that is in the game today ? Let's not forget, Kyle Flanagan (who was touted as the next Cronk / Cooper 2.0) didn't even last a season with us in 2020 as he struggled to change his style to suit the game.


We can't repeat the same mistakes ... we have to allow the kid some time and the right to reply and also this was always going to be an issue when you have two similar build and styles of players wearing the #6 and #7 running the show ... there has to be a point of difference somewhere and obviously Robbo doesn't see an issue with Keary so Walker has to go back to drawing board.

Also have to point out neither Jayden Nikorima or Jackson Hastings, the 2 best up and coming halves at the time worked out under Trent either.....

I think it goes to show, Robbo needs a general to succeed (Maloney, Cronk... even Pearce)
I'm not sure Keary is that guy

[gragra]

The walker/keary experiment was last years problem for about 10 rounds. Then they were swapped back to their traditional positions. Our finals campaign was successful in terms of going on an 8 game winning run until Teddy was knocked out by burgess and Manu's calf gave in. If Sammy was good enough last year , he will come good again and as a 1/2 back. The 2 major team changes from last year is no SST and Brandon in. The dummy half service from Brandon is really what sets the go forward...maybe that isnt as sharp as it should be.... oh and the referees...

[rented tracksuit]

RT, The wheels are in motion following the Sharks game. Robbo is looking for a replacement specialist 7 to steer the team around and Pearce is in the mix.

Next year is our year to win another premiership.

I’m not really focussed on next year. That sounds like a Parra thing.

Im looking at the here and now. The should be no reason why we can’t win this year.

[rented tracksuit]

Cronk is a consultant of sorts and has zilch to do with player retention and signing decisions - not sure that your "insiders" are a source to rely on

So he’s a consultant that we don’t listen to then?

Seems like money well spent.

[eddie]

So he’s a consultant that we don’t listen to then?
Seems like money well spent.

LOL.................making queen google look silly is a bit like shooting fish in a barrel.

[Bates]

f

I’m not really focussed on next year. That sounds like a Parra thing.

Im looking at the here and now. The should be no reason why we can’t win this year.

We won't win it this year. It's all about next year!

The only thing that's keeping Anthony Griffin employed with the Dragons is Ben Hunts contract. The potential for Hunt to be our 7 next season is real!!!!!!!!!

[HunchoRooster]

f

We won't win it this year. It's all about next year!

The only thing that's keeping Anthony Griffin employed with the Dragons is Ben Hunts contract. The potential for Hunt to be our 7 next season is real!!!!!!!!!

I would love Ben Hunt to be our 7.

I don't love how the club has tossed Walker to the side though. He should be learning under Ben Hunt.

[HunchoRooster]

This is all media conjecture, it could be nothing. Part of me hopes that this is something though because it would prove that I and a few others were very wrong in regards to Robbo making shite calls as a coach. If it has little to do with his performances being deemed unsatisfactory and more to do with his family and he refusing to play a certain way, then it makes more sense.

That being said, I think Sam has some grounds to not be happy if he is being taught not to play a certain way and go against his natural instinct. It's all about the balance of WHEN to play like that. As Coops has said himself, Sam can do things that Cooper never could, it's about harnessing it. I hope he see's the value of that.

Personally I think it's Kez that needs the tap on the shoulder. He is a tremendous, amazing playmaker and I think will be underrated probably because he played with Cronk and because he didn't play a lot of rep footy, but IMO conversation for Top 10 of all-time. Bloke has won 3 premierships and been instrumental on the big day in all 3 of them.

With all that in mind, his story has been written. He is 31. He is small and not going to improve. His style of play is not as well suited to the 6 again, he doesn't have a long kicking game and won't miraculously develop one either. He is defensively a liability and also not far off retirement from a head knock. Would be crazy to bin Sam Walker with a potential 10-15 years of footy ahead of him so we can keep Kez for 1 more year out of good graces and honour.

[Bates]

I would love Ben Hunt to be our 7.

I don't love how the club has tossed Walker to the side though. He should be learning under Ben Hunt.

Hey mate. I don't think it's like that. Walker just needs time. I don't think he's going anywhere fast. Players being dropped back to NSW Cup often motivates them. It also puts the rest of the squad on notice!

The problem is timing and that's not young Walkers fault. He's a developing player in a KEY POSITION playing for a team that should be ripe and looking at another premiership.

[King Salvo]

The kid started playing first grade at 18 years of age in 2021 ... and came into first grade footy at a time when the side was decimated by injuries and had to learn/develop whilst playing first grade. Most halves players will not show their full potential/capabilities until at least playing 100+ games of footy. Some young players are blessed with athleticism and being able to grow/become big and strong quicker than others i.e. Lachlan Ilias and being put into environments where they're expected to shine (cream rises to the top) i.e. playing in State of Origin, NRL Finals or playing in a team where all players are familiar with each and have have developed together from a young age (Nathan Cleary comparison).


It is absolutely unfair that the club, fans and journos MOUNT this unprecedented pressure and expectation on Walker. We as fans (and I'm sure the club as well) have to be patient with him and allow him to adjust/find his style and way without compromising the team or handicapping his abilities. Pearce was with the Roosters for '10x years' and he also started from a young age. Maybe Robbo isn't a coach who specialises in dealing with halves ? ... perhaps Cronk (arguably on the best half-backs of all time) isn't suited to coach/support the modern day halves either ? Cronk played in an era before this fast + six again style of footy came into the competition, but could he have played in the style that is in the game today ? Let's not forget, Kyle Flanagan (who was touted as the next Cronk / Cooper 2.0) didn't even last a season with us in 2020 as he struggled to change his style to suit the game.


We can't repeat the same mistakes ... we have to allow the kid some time and the right to reply and also this was always going to be an issue when you have two similar build and styles of players wearing the #6 and #7 running the show ... there has to be a point of difference somewhere and obviously Robbo doesn't see an issue with Keary so Walker has to go back to drawing board.

He had a seasoned professional at 5/8 guiding him and showing him the ropes as they say in the NRL in 2021 - none other than Chookpens favourite player The Hutchinator

If you suit up in the NRL in such a position you have to perform from the get go as there is no place to hide or provisions to allow players extended periods of time games wise to become NRL ready

Players do their "apprenticeship" in the Junior and Senior Pathways - i.e From Andrew Johns cup right through to NSW Cup as is the case for the Roosters pathway system to become NRL ready.

Walker needed to do more of an "apprenticeship" at least in the Senior Pathways but circumstances didn't allow for that which could be said to have been detrimental in his development - Same could be said of Jackson Hastings and Jayden Nikorima too.

You should have all the "tradespersons" tools by then after serving your "apprenticeship" and only need to know when to use them.

I don't remember Kyle Flanagan ever being touted as Cronk 2.0 though

To say Cronk isn't suited to mentoring halfbacks in today's game is not the case at all as he only retired in 2019.- the role of the halfback whether a running or organising one has changed little in reality most likely since 1908 despite the speed or otherwise of the game.

It would be like saying the great DK Lillee isn't able to train and mentor fast bowlers as he bowled in the 1970's to the mid 1980's - DK Lillee is still one of best at training and mentoring fast bowlers today even at the age of 73

Walker just has to cop it on the chin and work hard to improve his game simple as that.

You can say he is unlucky as the so called spine of Tedesco/Keary/Walker and B Smith have been underperforming but I assume this is not a decision based on one game or a knee jerk reaction- cumulative games

[Bates]

I'd prefer Hastings come back than Hutch or Pearce as someone mentioned. He's matured a great deal since his last stint.

AP, Hastings is a very good game manager. He was born for that role! The problem was his attitude especially the disrespect he showed towards the senior players.

Perhaps we should've persevered with him. Hard to say.

[Jacks Fur Coat]

AP, Hastings is a very good game manager. He was born for that role! The problem was his attitude especially the disrespect he showed towards the senior players.

Perhaps we should've persevered with him. Hard to say.

Master, what do you think about Lachie Lam? Ive always thought him underrated and apparently kickin tail over in the SL. I expect we will see him back in the NRL some day, a better player for the experience.