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Walker sets record straight on his return and why he’s excited by potential DCE union

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  • Walker sets record straight on his return and why he’s excited by potential DCE union

    Walker sets record straight on his return and why he’s excited by potential DCE union


    Sam Walker has backed new Sydney Roosters’ No. 7 Hugo Savala, and hopes he gets the chance to partner Queensland legend Daly Cherry-Evans in the halves next season.

    In some rare good news for the spluttering Roosters, Walker set the record straight about his comeback from a ruptured ACL, insisting he was a chance to return as early as round 13 against the Raiders, but more likely a week after the bye in round 15 against the Knights.


    There were suggestions Walker may have been sidelined until as late as August after rupturing his left ACL on the eve of the finals last year, and if there was even merit in keeping him on the ice the rest of the season, especially if it became apparent the Roosters were no chance of making the finals.

    “But you always hear people talk about coming back around the nine-month mark after surgery, which for me will be in the middle of June,” Walker told this masthead.

    “I’ve got the mindset I want to keep pushing myself to get back, as long as I’m feeling good and I have that confidence in the knee.

    “Touch wood I’ve had no dramas so far. I’ve been running and kicking since January. It’s been a slow process, and every step in the recovery process takes about a month before you can go to that next level.
    Sam Walker has set the record straight about his return date from knee surgery.Credit:Getty Images

    “The only thing left to do is full contact, getting tackled, and having that confidence to step off the knee.

    “I’m starting to jump back into the team stuff, and playing a bit, which is what I’ve missed the most. I’m not coming back if I’m 980 per cent, or 95 per cent – I need to be at 100 per cent so there’s no risk of missing another season.”
    The Roosters have struggled without Walker after already farewelling halves partner Luke Keary (Catalans) at the end of last season, not to mention a glut of experience in Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Hull KR), Joey Suaalii (Rugby Australia) and Joey Manu (Japanese rugby).

    Chad Townsend was only ever bought as a stop-gap halfback, and was dumped for Coogee Wombats towering No. 7 Savala for the daunting road trip to Suncorp Stadium and the Broncos on Friday night.

    “He’s a local junior, he killed it in the pre-season, and had a really good trial against the Knights,” Walker said.“He’s also had an impact in the few games he’s already played for us [off the bench].

    “He’s a really good defender and has a long kicking game. I’m actually excited to see what he can bring.

    “I always knew it was going to be annoying having to watch this first half of the season, and as much as I can try and help out with video sessions and on the field at training, not having a say on the actual result is frustrating.

    “We’re heading in the really good direction as a club, and fingers crossed we’re in a good [ladder] position by the time me and ‘Cheese’ [Brandon Smith] get back out there.”
    The Roosters No. 7 is helped from the field in round 26 last year.Credit:NRL Images

    Smith, who has already signed with South Sydney for next season, is slated for a round-16 return, which could yet be with the Bunnies.

    The Roosters have been linked to 36-year-old Cherry-Evans, and Walker was certainly excited by the chance to combine with the premiership winner.

    “He’s done it all in the game and we’d love to have him at the Roosters, that’s for sure,” Walker said.


    “You’d love to have someone of his calibre. I said the same thing when there was talk of Ben Hunt potentially coming here.

    “Being a Queenslander, and having spent time with him in Origin camp, the way he carries himself, he’s a professional. Daly would be welcomed here with open arms.”

  • #2
    That's all very positive news as far as I'm concerned. I can't wait to see him back.

    Comment


    • #3
      Well said Sam. Looking forward to seeing him back playing. He really is the missing link.

      Comment


      • #4
        brent read's a genius. good to hear sam's still alive. we're a different team with him

        Comment


        • #5
          Sam is our 7. No one else.

          Comment


          • #6
            So stfu Gould you cumsock.
            Exonerate the West Memphis Three - www.wm3.org

            Comment


            • #7
              We need a big, strong, fast, tough, skilful pack of forwards to take control of the game and provide Sam with opportunities.
              atm we don't have that.
              Sam is one player, and can't be expected to win games by himself.

              Comment


              • #8
                Welcome DCE.

                Comment


                • #9
                  This article clears up a few things, one being some people's thoughts here that DCE coming to the Roosters would upset Sam, the other being the people who have been saying DCE is divisive and not liked.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by bondi.boy View Post
                    We need a big, strong, fast, tough, skilful pack of forwards to take control of the game and provide Sam with opportunities.
                    atm we don't have that.
                    Sam is one player, and can't be expected to win games by himself.
                    Bulldogs are undefeated with a forward pack that's the complete opposite to this you're stuck in 1985

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by bondi.boy View Post
                      We need a big, strong, fast, tough, skilful pack of forwards to take control of the game and provide Sam with opportunities.
                      atm we don't have that.
                      Sam is one player, and can't be expected to win games by himself.
                      Exactly. All the talk about when we get Sam back or if we get DCE, Joey Manu, Ponga.
                      It won't matter because we can't go forward with the pack we have at the moment.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        DCE - Complete fraud.
                        Nathan Cleary - another Complete fraud. Penrith 1 from 6 this year with Cleary at the helm.

                        Without Luai, who sparked all of the Penrith attack over the last 4 years, the Panthers are rudderless, and its Cleary who is now finally being shown up as useless.

                        In 80 minutes of football, the Panthers hardly looked like scoring a try against the Dolphins, and it took a fair dinkum air swipe at the ball from Bostock for the Panthers to get the try.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Originally posted by The Real King View Post

                          Exactly. All the talk about when we get Sam back or if we get DCE, Joey Manu, Ponga.
                          It won't matter because we can't go forward with the pack we have at the moment.
                          I don't think our forward pack has really been that bad this year all things considered but 2026 would be a very very competitive forward pack, I do think we need to maybe sign one decent prop forward but we'd also have the experience on the bench in 2026 to blood a new young star if we have someone with potential also.

                          8. Collins 9. Robson 10. Whyte 11. Crichton 12. Wong 13. Radley

                          14. Watson 15. ? 16. Leniu 17. N. Butcher

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by MKCS View Post

                            I don't think our forward pack has really been that bad this year all things considered but 2026 would be a very very competitive forward pack, I do think we need to maybe sign one decent prop forward but we'd also have the experience on the bench in 2026 to blood a new young star if we have someone with potential also.

                            8. Collins 9. Robson 10. Whyte 11. Crichton 12. Wong 13. Radley

                            14. Watson 15. ? 16. Leniu 17. N. Butcher
                            16. DLS Va'a

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              A return date in round 15, following the bye, is a smart move.

                              Comment

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