Sam Walker - Can we all agree...

[Spirit of 66]

Not to crucify this kid the moment he makes a mistake or if he doesn't immediately dominate the NRL?

The plan was to slowly ease him into the role. Instead he is going to have the weight of the world on his shoulders.

Let's just accept now that he is a work in progress and enjoy whatever glimpses we get of his talent.

[Jacks Fur Coat]

I'd love to say it won't happen mate, but we all know it will.

I made a post in another thread recently about our history of halves and how they've all been dumped on at some point...including Cronk and Freddy!. You can't change dumb.

[SupermanSupportsEasts4Eva]

Not to crucify this kid the moment he makes a mistake or if he doesn't immediately dominate the NRL?

The plan was to slowly ease him into the role. Instead he is going to have the weight of the world on his shoulders.

Let's just accept now that he is a work in progress and enjoy whatever glimpses we get of his talent.

I like what I've seen from Walker, from the little I've seen of him. Good decision maker in attack. A good short kicking game and tends to play what's in front of him. I feel defense is where he may get shown up a bit.

I will say that, I saw more in Walker from 2 reserve grade games that got me more excited than anything I saw from Flanno all of last season.

Walker definitely won't be a bust. And I strongly feel he can get us to the 8. Anything else is a bonus.

[Tommy Smith]

Agreed.

I'm just super excited to see Walker and Suaalii develop throughout 2021.

The weight of the world should no longer be on their shoulders because no one expects us to win the comp from here. Frankly even top 4 would be an amazing effort.

Aside from those 2, just sit back and enjoy watching the Moz bros for the last season in footy. What a privilege it's been to see them wear the RWB. We also have the returns of Rads & Sammy V; not to mention being able to watch the world's best player every week in a Roosters jersey.

So yeah, thw pressure is off. This is one of those rare Robbo years where we can enjoy the journey without worrying about the destination.

I feel as though if we make a couple of astute middle forward signings for 2022, then the experience Walker and Suaalli gain this year may well lay the groundwork for another couple of GF appearances.

[Lydon]

Sam Walker is a special player and will be given as much time as possible to reach his immense potential..

Their will be no pressure on the kid, patience from the Club will be repayed in bucketloads in this instance.

[Spirit of 66]

I am assuming Victor will be Sam's defensive chaperone. Sam is over 6 feet tall but only weighs 78 kilos. He is not going to stop a rampaging Nelson if he singles him out in the defensive line.

[IRoosterManI]

When Cronk joined us there were people on here for the first month saying he was trash and nothing without smith and slater.... if he couldn’t escape hate walker won’t either sadly

[OMR]

I’ve never liked criticising young players in their initial year, they need time to adjust to the rigours of first grade. It’s early in the season and gives us the opportunity to bring Walker in without too much expectation, and come finals time he would be a bit more settled and then who knows ? Anything is possible.

[RoosterFanNZ]

would love sammy to play as hes impressed me everytime ive seen him. just dont think robbo will throw him in the deep end just yet.

could easily be wrong, but i feel robbo will wait a few more weeks before putting him in

[Rooster1908]

I'll go against the grain and say he's not ready, someone will fold the poor bugger in half.Even if he is the best option he is not the only option .Our chances of winning the comp without Luke and with Sam are slim so no way blood him against a team like the warriors

[Jacks Fur Coat]

would love sammy to play as hes impressed me everytime ive seen him. just dont think robbo will throw him in the deep end just yet.

could easily be wrong, but i feel robbo will wait a few more weeks before putting him in

Whatever happens he won't be named in the top 13 or maybe even 17 on Tuesday. I expect Robbo will put him in come gameday though.

[Flipper Hands]

He's been in the 21 for every game.He has to be very very close

[eddie]

Hutchison ain't up to it, so we've got no choice but to go with Walker. If you're good enough, you're old enough.

[ROC181]

I'd love to say it won't happen mate, but we all know it will.

I made a post in another thread recently about our history of halves and how they've all been dumped on at some point...including Cronk and Freddy!. You can't change dumb.

Just halves? I can include other players like Toupo, Manu (oh he was thrashed in here) the Morris Bros for a little while, Sitili, Collins, Friend, Butcher, JWH and how can I forget, 'The worst Buy of the Century Tedesco??

In past players I include Pearce, Guerra, SKD, Fergo, Mini, OUR MINI has been dumped on by some...Of course there are other minor players that I can't recall but they have all been criticised en mass by some members and some criticism were not warranted plus insulting. Insults are not on in my view.

But I can have an opinion and if after a time I haven't seen a player perform to the level that they should to compete in this comp at the level required, then we can voice such opinion in a decent way, without insults or labels. Mind you, I am not one that will be critical of a player without giving them the benefit of the doubt time and time again, and I feel that in the latest situation, I have. I even withheld any criticism of Hastings because I knew he was placed in an awkward situation. Maybe that makes me dumb? Oh yea! I have only voiced my negative opinion (thinking he's either not up to the level or just not putting in) of one player ever...maybe two, but no insults!


A for Walker, I'm exited because when he played against Canberra. he looked super!!!

[NorthChook]

I think he’ll be thrown right into the deep and will start - we just don’t have anyone else and are out of options. The halves will be hutch and Walker whether people think they are right, ready or not as they are the only two specialist halves Robbo has available.

Lots here want to play Manu or Teddy in the halves (and they have filled in there and have the right skills) but I don’t think Robbo is going to weaken more positions to fix another when there are squad members who have been training for this possibility to fill in when required (ie Sam and Hutch).

Even those think Radley will or should be named in the halves is forgetting he also needs match fitness and he will be named on the bench and will probably cover the utility role and forwards. From lock Radley plays like another playmaker anyway which will be used to assist Walker and Hutch when he can but also remain the enforcer/protector that our team desperately needs.

Suaalii is the one who will be named in the 21 every week now (as we have that size of squad) but is not ready because Robbo is not going to change the outside backs - he indicated this in the press conference by saying he will be named in the 21 because he has to. That was the biggest clue that Manu will not play 5/8 as I think Robbo will still in shock processing the loss of Luke that he wasn’t playing mind games. Even Teddy indicated that Walker will step straight up to the halves now with hutch.

Robbo may re-look into making more changes after the warriors game if it does not work but I think for now that’s how he is thinking.