Sam Walker in staggering $1.8 million development at Roosters amid NRL links to Broncos
The Roosters could have a fight on their hands to keep hold of the gun playmaker.
The Roosters could have a fight on their hands to keep hold of Sam Walker, with the Brisbane Broncos emerging as a potential suitor for the halfback. The Roosters have reportedly tabled a a two-year extension to their gun No.7 that’s said to be worth around $1.8 million or $900,000 per season.
But the Broncos could see Walker as a natural successor to veteran half Adam Reynolds, who is contracted to Brisbane until the end of the 2025 NRL season. Walker’s current deal with the Roosters also runs until the end of next year, meaning he will be a free agent come November 1 and thus able to negotiate with rival clubs for the 2026 season onwards – unless he locks something down with the Roosters before then.
Walker has established himself as one of the most highly sought after No.7s after a stunning return to form in 2024, having been dropped from the Roosters’ first grade side last season before returning for their run to the NRL semi-finals. Walker is from Queensland and has friends and family there, having grown up as a boyhood Broncos fan. The idea of a move back to Brisbane would surely be tempting for the 22-year-old.
But former Roosters star Braith Anasta says his value to the Tri Colours cannot be understated and insists Trent Robinson’s side – currently flying high in third on the ladder – can’t win the premiership without him. “The Roosters were not the team they are now back before he started his run back on ANZAC Day, he this year has catapulted them into premiership contenders,” Anasta said on NRL 360. “They’ve got a great roster, you take Sam out of that and they can’t win the comp this year… Sam is their man, so they need him.”
Walker has a big decision to make around his playing future and will probably have to settle for less money if he decides to stay at the Roosters. While Anasta admits that rival clubs might be able to trump the Roosters’ offer for Walker, he says the chance to play at a genuine premiership force and the opportunities the Sydney-based club offer outside of footy could be key.
Sam Walker has big contract call to make at Roosters
“This is an interesting one because Sam is up there in the top two, three halfbacks in our game right now, he seems very happy at the Roosters, he’s playing great,” Anasta said. “We know the Roosters would not want to let him go. If they don’t sign him before November 1 he’s a free agent.
“If you’re getting $1.4 million, a lot of players would take $1.1 million or $1.2 million to win a comp, or to have a lot more chance of winning a comp, that’s the reality. NRL legend Gorden Tallis pointed to the other top halfbacks in the game – Nathan Cleary, Daly Cherry-Evans and Jahrome Hughes – who are all on more than $1 million per season.
Anasta says he’s sure Walker could command similar money if he went on the open market but believes the Roosters will be desperate to keep hold of their star playmaker, especially with halves partner Luke Keary leaving at the end of the season. And Fox League’s James Hooper says there are suggestions the Roosters could come back with a longer offer for Walker to tie him down to the Sydney club long-term and fend off interest from their rivals. Such a deal would likely see Walker’s contract increase in value after every season.
“The Roosters rarely miss the mark when it comes to recruitment and retention. They’ve made a two-year offer, I think it’s a tick over $900,000-per-season,” Hooper said. “But they are now even considering possibly making that a longer term deal. So maybe they go back to the drawing board and make a five-year offer or something similar and look to make it extremely highly-paid in the back-end of that deal. I think they will get it done.”
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