Walker masterclass leaves greats divided over $15m contract push
Sam Walker’s sensational performance against the Cowboys on Thursday night will only strengthen his push for a decade-long deal that would likely keep him at Bondi for life.
The Maroons Origin star ran riot in Townsville as the Roosters destroyed the Cowboys 82-12 on one of the most incredible nights of football in recent memory.
Sam Walker was superb against the Cowboys. Getty Images
It was the first time since 1935 a team has scored 80 points, and the third-highest score in premiership history, behind only the Dragons (91-6 v Bulldogs) and Roosters (87-7 v Bulldogs), both from that same 1935 season. It’s the equal fourth-biggest victory in terms of deficit in premiership history.
Walker’s three tries and 12 conversions for a personal points tally of 36 was the equal-fourth highest in a game. He shares that record with Ryan Papenhuyzen, Terry Campese, Jack Lindwall and Les Griffin. Dave Brown’s 45 from that same 1935 match between the Roosters and Bulldogs continues to stand alone at the top.
Walker was also credited with three try assists, seven runs, four tackle busts and four line break assists.
“I just love it. I just love watching Sammy play. It looks like he’s in the backyard at Ipswich, playing with his friends and his cousins,” Andrew Johns said on Nine’s coverage after Walker set up Cody Ramsay for the Chooks’ final try of the night.
Speaking to Nine post-game, Roosters coach Trent Robinson said it was Walker’s career performance that set up the whole team’s night.
“He had maybe six runs where he got tackled, but that opened up the other points,” he said.
“Him addressing the line like he did created so many opportunities, even right through to the end where he addressed the line, kicks through, and then Cody scored,” he said.
Speaking to media, Daly Cherry-Evans said he was thrilled to have had a front-row seat to the Walker show.
“He’s just a special person, he goes about his footy in his own unique way and that’s what makes him so brilliant,” he said.
“He works hard on his game and how he can help the team so, it’s been really special to come and meet Sam and connect with Sam and to get a front-row seat to that was really cool.”
Reports emerged this week the 24-year-old and his camp were pushing for a 10-year, $1.5m-a-season deal that would be the richest in NRL history. According to News Corp, the deal has the backing of the Roosters’ billionaire chairman Nick Politis, but the club are currently only offering a five-year deal.
Walker scored a hat trick and booted 12 goals. Getty Images
“I’ve spoken to Sam and I’ve told him I want him at the Roosters for life,” Politis said per News Corp.
“Sammy has been fantastic for us. We have a great relationship and we want him to stay.
“I’m confident we can get a deal done.”
Walker is off-contract at the end of next season, and will therefore become a free agent on November 1, which means the Roosters will no doubt be eager to lock down their gun half before the Bears, Chiefs – or any other club for that matter – come prowling.
NRL legend Cooper Cronk said Walker deserved a “damn big contract”, but warned his old club against inking a 10-year deal, which would be only the fourth in the game’s history.
“I don’t believe in 10-year contracts,” Cronk said on Fox League’s NRL Debrief.
“If you look at the history of our game since 1908, how many players have actually delivered on a 10-year contract?
“What you have to do is you have to play the majority of those games, which is let’s call it 300 games, you have to win comps, you have to be the best player.
“He’s a damn good player, and he deserves a damn big contract. But I just wouldn’t be giving anyone a 10-year deal.”
Also on Fox Sports, Matthew Johns said a 10-year deal was also “restrictive” for the player, given how much can change in their off-field personal life in a decade, particularly for a man in his mid-20s.
But he conceded “desperation” from clubs to sign playmakers before November 1 could see contracts beefed.
“I hate 10-year deals. I just don’t think they’re good for club or player … they’re talking about a $1.4 or $1.5 million (a year) for 10 years. I’ll tell you what, he’s stated a pretty good case,” Johns said on The Late Show with Matty Johns.
“I wouldn’t sign any player for 10 years. If it was me personally, I just find it restrictive. I think it lends itself to complacency. Circumstances change in terms of football but also personal life.”
Walker was unsurprisingly named player of the match against the Cowboys. Despite his brilliant personal performance, he barely accepted any of the plaudits.
“I think the last couple of weeks we’ve been getting the wins, but they’ve been pretty ugly and we haven’t put that 80-minute performance together,” he told Nine’s Marlee Silva.
“I’m really proud of the boys. I think every time we got a try we were really disciplined, and we got back to the basics, and we went after our game of football and didn’t try and didn’t try and change too much.
“I thought that laid a really good platform for us to be able to go out there and play our football.
“I don’t think we did anything crazy – we competed really well, which is really good for us.
“You obviously don’t get used to score lines like that, but when they pop up they’re very nice.”
The Roosters now sit equal top of the ladder with the Panthers, who will face the Raiders on Saturday afternoon.
