Sammy Walker

[Bruce Pickett]

His and Keary's defence was outstanding.

[takethe 2]

No missed tackles tonight, honestly what a game from him…… his star continues to rise

[Water boy]

Just highlights the stupidity of the coach who dropped him and derailed our season

[A Country Member]

Just highlights the stupidity of the coach who dropped him and derailed our season

Interesting angle from you Wati Boi, never hard that from you.

He potentially gets to return to the scene of the crime, Shark Park, and right some wrongs that lead to his demotion.

* The NRL have the right to play this at Moore Park for extra fans (money), instead of the 12,000 that Cronulla could house. Imagine the furore if they did?

[Danish]

Has to be the dumbest decision in modern NRL history to drop him.

We’d practically have finished top 4 if he’d stayed in first grade

[gragra]

Has to be the dumbest decision in modern NRL history to drop him.

We’d practically have finished top 4 if he’d stayed in first grade

The only problem with your narrative is after dropping walker after the game against cronulla the roosters won the next 2 games without Sam against St George and the Warriors. He then got a knee injury. The next 4 months was NOT being dropped but out injured. A fit Walker would have played first grade way sooner than a 4 month injury caused. The 4 month of lots of losses had more to do with the loss of form of Teddy, Keary, Manu and the rest of the team. A fit Walker could have helped stem the tide of losses....

[BTRD]

Really happy for the young bloke to play like this.

I love seeing the team win when we have some lesser-known players amongst the squad.

[ism22]

Just highlights the stupidity of the coach who dropped him and derailed our season

IMO it shows Robbo made the right call as he's come back much better than he was early on in the season despite having a heap of time away from the field. He's also happy and sounding more mature.

Like it or not, something was up early on in the season. We've taken the long route and mistakes were made along the way, but we just beat Souffs WITHOUT Manu, Toops and JWH.

Lessons were needed and blow-outs aside, that was one of the most comfortable, rewarding wins that I've seen against Souffs in recent years.

Get that people wanna be top-4 and that our team's good enough on paper. However coaching involves more than just naming a team. IMO it's a foolish comment to say that simply naming Walker at 7 all season and not trialling Sua'ali'i in the centres (where everybody assumed he'd flourish) woulda made us top-4. A LOT more work went into last night's result than that. Again, we won WITHOUT Manu, Toops and JWH. Lotsa guys were either reserve-grade or outta position! Walkers dominance came from playing more of a running game and KNOWING things like 'if their superstar right centre tackles me... I don't have to look left or have Toops out there... if I pivot in right then toss the ball out left then it's a try for all money'. IMO Robbo hooked him for good reason and he did some shyte last night that he wouldn't have if he played #7 all season without being hooked.

[theGman]

What it proves to me is how different a player Sam is when he's able to play unstructured football WHEN the opportunity presents.

Structure for Cronk under Bellamy worked for them but our Sam grew up in a directly opposite environment.
I reckon the powers that be conceded and gave Sam the green light to flourish his way and steer the team like every ace half should.
Seems to be working hey

[Steggles]

What it proves to me is how different a player Sam is when he's able to play unstructured football WHEN the opportunity presents.

Structure for Cronk under Bellamy worked for them but our Sam grew up in a directly opposite environment.
I reckon the powers that be conceded and gave Sam the green light to flourish his way and steer the team like every ace half should.
Seems to be working hey

Insightful post. Sam really looked like he was enjoying himself last night, whereas early in the season he looked conflicted. You might be on the money here.

[Rooster90]

Wouldn't trade him for anyone

That effort play where he trapped an attacking kick and chased through to regather was the best

[Bates]

He's a tenacious little bugger.

[theGman]

Insightful post. Sam really looked like he was enjoying himself last night, whereas early in the season he looked conflicted. You might be on the money here.

Uncle Nick knows business best.

Losing a disgruntled employee who brings important value will cost you in the long run especially when they show you up working for the opposition.

[Roosterfarian]

What it proves to me is how different a player Sam is when he's able to play unstructured football WHEN the opportunity presents.

Structure for Cronk under Bellamy worked for them but our Sam grew up in a directly opposite environment.
I reckon the powers that be conceded and gave Sam the green light to flourish his way and steer the team like every ace half should.
Seems to be working hey

Could have worked the other way G. The layoff might have given him the time to see the game through a different lens and curb the low percentage plays. He’s been more measured in the last two games and picked his moments rather than try score off every play.

[On the Nose]

Sam played no better or worse than previously. He looked great last night because the players Robinson replaced him with aren't anywhere near as good. If Sam was not injured Robinson would have left him in reserves for a stretch regardless, similar to his other inane decisions (Suallii to the centres, Manu to 5/8, Hutchinson anywhere in the outside backs). The reason we are on a roll is because lo and behold the players are back in their rightful positions and we have scrapped his big hitting "Roosters Way tm" for smarter defence that doesn't tax our attack. We shouldn't be in a position relying on other results to make the eight. Lots of revisionists on here. Look to the future Whyte in for Baker.