Savala set to sign new deal at Sydney Roosters despite arrival of Daly Cherry-Evans

[Avalon Rooster]

God, seeing people off Sam makes my eyes bleed. He's the most talented and exciting half I can remember coming through. His ability to create scores is unparalleled and he's only 23. Plus he's an incredible goalkicker. People wanting Hugo over him are insane. Hugo is a good solid first grader who defends well and has a big boot. Also seems like a great lad and I'm happy he's staying on with us. But comparing him to Sam is nuts

I hope Sam stays with us forever

Maybe you guys are taking him for granted.

[David Sutherland]

Sam and Hugo are different players and no one is taking Sam for granted.

There are genuine concerns about Sam's defence , physical strength and kicking game as far as distance goes.

Also, his decision-making in those set-for-set arm wrestle games where opportunities are few and where an off-the-cuff high-risk play is not always the best option.

Needs to work on his game management skills, especially when playing against the better sides.

It will be interesting to see how the DCE and Sam Walker combo performs.

[Batemans Bay Rooster]

According to Nick we have signed him for 3 years.

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1DHNXWTyfj/

This is great news. He's the kicking coach that swans guy? He'd know, surely. That was yesterday that video? Cooling off period perhaps influenced by the shutdown period for the front office, hence a delayed announcement. Bulldog Ritchie was right after all.

3 years for Hugo is bloody awesome. This makes it possible for me to accept the DCE signing, to some degree. If we had lost Hugo, and didn't win a comp when DCE was here, it would be a terrible outcome. Tedesco again today saying Hugo will play more than one position this season, DCE seems to be going well, maybe this is the best outcome of all. DCE to groom Sam and Hugo to an extent. There'll be injuries, so who knows.

Still, the guy under the most pressure is...DCE. We lose a few early, Sam seems stifled, DCE looks old. Hopefully not. But Father Time remains undefeated for a reason.

Even if it does go well, which I think it can, in years to come you will be so happy that this experiment didn't cost us Hugo.

[Mickie Lane]

Im glad to here Hugo has signed on with the Chooks for 3 years but I also know contracts mean nothing so we'll just wait & see what happens.

[Bates]

Im glad to here Hugo has signed on with the Chooks for 3 years but I also know contracts mean nothing so we'll just wait & see what happens.

You may want to speak to Zac Lomax about that.

The Eels have him by the balls

[Mickie Lane]

You may want to speak to Zac Lomax about that.

The Eels have him by the balls

Trust me brother he'll be playing for the Storm this year. The NRL will step in & allow Lomax to play for the Storm.
These days as soon as a player wants out from a club or a club wants out from a player the player leaves. Clubs dont want a player who doesnt want to be there at their club.
It wasnt that way all of the time Ive been watching the game but its free for all now so thats why I say contracts mean nothing.
The only way a contract works is if both parties are happy.

[Batemans Bay Rooster]

Im glad to here Hugo has signed on with the Chooks for 3 years but I also know contracts mean nothing so we'll just wait & see what happens.

Do you have that same worry every time we sign anyone? That it means nothing.

[A Country Member]

Just because Savala is tall doesn’t automatically make him a candidate to play lock. Above all a lock should be a great tackler and solid defender, both of which Hugo doesn’t possess.

[Batemans Bay Rooster]

Just because Savala is tall doesn’t automatically make him a candidate to play lock. Above all a lock should be a great tackler and solid defender, both of which Hugo doesn’t possess.

You're seriously saying Hugo isn't a great tackler and not a "solid defender?"

What, on earth, are you on?

I think in one game, did Hugo not make 47 tackles, and miss only 2, which stats wise is the greatest defensive number for a half in the recorded history of the data.

His defense is outstanding.

To question it, you must not have even seen him play.

Do you just listen to the games on the radio or something?

[Bates]

Missed Tackles 2025

Sam Walker

Games - 8
Total - 23
Average - 2.88

DCE

Games - 23
Total - 45
Average. - 1.96

Hugo Savala

Games - 22
Total - 42
Average - 1.91

[A Country Member]

lol - I get confused distinguishing between Bates and Batemans Bay

[Bates]

lol - I get confused distinguishing between Bates and Batemans Bay

I'm the good looking one

[SamKerrSimp]

lol - I get confused distinguishing between Bates and Batemans Bay

Easy mistake to make they're both mongs

[Bates]

Easy mistake to make they're both mongs

Charming.

[Avalon Rooster]

yep, Hugo is a good tackler. TBH, Sam has got a lot better too. He still has work to do (I think his rushing out of the line in D creates too many problems), but he's improved and he misses fewer tackles than a lot of high profile halves in the NRL eg...

Mitch Moses
Tom Dearden
Cam Munster
Ezra Mam (who I reckon is about the worst defender in the NRL)
Luke Brooks