Boost for Roosters as Walker cleared to return after ACL test

[Horry]

Sam Walker has been given the green light to return to rugby league in the next fortnight after passing a series of tests on the knee injury that has sidelined him for the past three months.

The Sydney Roosters halfback was sent to Townsville with the club’s team physio to see an ACL specialist after straining the ligament earlier in the year.

There were fears Walker may have played his last game for the year, however the halfback has been told he can return to the field in a fortnight.

Walker underwent a series of strength and stability tests on Monday. The Roosters were privately concerned he may require surgery but were instead told he was on track to play in coming weeks.

The news is a huge boost for the Roosters’ finals chances as they sit two points outside the top eight with six rounds remaining.

Walker hasn’t played in the NRL since he was axed to reserve grade after the club’s round-seven loss to Cronulla. He suffered the knee injury while playing in reserve grade.

The Roosters confirmed that Walker had been given medical approval to begin his comeback. It’s expected Walker will play his first game in NSW Cup.

That will leave the Roosters in a position to pick the 21-year-old for their round 24 clash against the Dolphins.

[milanja]

Hopefully we can still be in contention in 3 weeks time.

If not, probably no point in playing him at all, yet if we win the next two, would he even be picked in a team that has won 3 in a row?

[Bates]

Great news!

I've enjoyed watching Sandon play. I love his style. He has a big future imo.

[Jacks Fur Coat]

Hopefully we can still be in contention in 3 weeks time.

If not, probably no point in playing him at all, yet if we win the next two, would he even be picked in a team that has won 3 in a row?

If we do the very unlikely and beat Brisbane without him, that team shouldn't change moving forward.

Happy to stick with Sandon.

[QWERTY]

If we do the very unlikely and beat Brisbane without him, that team shouldn't change moving forward.

Happy to stick with Sandon.

If the scenario above plays out, would Robbo select Walker in front of Watson for a bench utility role if they are both fit and in contention?

[fletch]

That article highlights the tricky nature of a damaged but not ruptured ACL there is a fine line between returning to play and risking a full rupture and thinking about Walker's long term future and doing the surgery to fix the problem and not deal with the ongoing uncertainty.

[Headless Chook]

Hopefully we can still be in contention in 3 weeks time.

If not, probably no point in playing him at all, yet if we win the next two, would he even be picked in a team that has won 3 in a row?

Definitely

[ism22]

Great news!

I've enjoyed watching Sandon play. I love his style. He has a big future imo.

Yeah IMO this makes it a bit tricky to pick Walker as we're starting to gel with Sandon. Not saying Walker's the lesser player but we only have 6 weeks to go and if he takes 2-3 weeks to gel, it could be irrelevant how well he plays after that.

[Bates]

Yeah IMO this makes it a bit tricky to pick Walker as we're starting to gel with Sandon. Not saying Walker's the lesser player but we only have 6 weeks to go and if he takes 2-3 weeks to gel, it could be irrelevant how well he plays after that.

It'll be interesting to see what Robbo does with Sandon. Ditto Watson when he's ready. Having an abundance of talent to select from is a good headache. I'm excited about our run home!

[HunchoRooster]

Anyone suggesting Sam Walker isn't in our strongest 17... c'mon.

[Kelby]

If the scenario above plays out, would Robbo select Walker in front of Watson for a bench utility role if they are both fit and in contention?

Pointless having Walker on the bench.
If he hasn't got a place in the starting 13, then we should let him go to the gym for the rest of the year.

[DP1990]

I would say keep Walker off for the rest of the year. No point in taking a risk with his knee, let him do more rehab and conditioning on it unless either Sandon or Keary goes down.


Let him work on his game, hit the weights and add a bit of beef and then come pre-season, we figure out our best combination with Keary/Walker/Sandon.

[Johnny73]

If the Roosters lose to Brisbane, let him have the rest of the year off. No point in risking putting him out for 18 months for a dead cause.

[Jacks Fur Coat]

Anyone suggesting Sam Walker isn't in our strongest 17... c'mon.

Not so sure about that...he was dropped with no early return planned.

[Thirteen]

I would say keep Walker off for the rest of the year. No point in taking a risk with his knee, let him do more rehab and conditioning on it unless either Sandon or Keary goes down.


Let him work on his game, hit the weights and add a bit of beef and then come pre-season, we figure out our best combination with Keary/Walker/Sandon.

He's been cleared by the doctors. He's not being paid not to play football.