Cooper Cronk believes Sydney Roosters halfback Sam Walker’s contract negotiations shouldn’t be a “distraction” in the coming months as the Roosters look primed for a premiership push.
The Roosters claimed a 20-18 win over the Bulldogs on Friday night to draw level with Penrith on top of the ladder with 15 wins, setting up a blockbuster clash next Thursday that could decide the NRL minor premiership.
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A week after Walker scored 36 points in the 70-point thrashing of the Cowboys for the largest individual points haul by a Rooster in the NRL era, the halfback wasn’t at his best against the Bulldogs.
The 24-year-old is contracted until the end of next season but is free to negotiate with rival clubs from November 1, but Roosters chairman Nick Politis is keen re-sign Walker on a deal that could be worth $1.35 million per season.
Walker’s next contract is expected to have ratchet clauses that would see his salary rise in line with a salary cap increase, that could be as high as $20 million for 2028 as a result of the NRL’s new broadcast deal.
“Sam Walker comes off one of the most brilliant individual performances we’ve seen in the NRL era and tonight didn’t quite hit the same notes,” host Yvonne Sampson said on Kayo Sports.
Watch the discussion about Sam Walker in the video above
“Roosters supremo Nick Politis said even before last week’s performance he wants Sam Walker to be a Rooster for life and he wants the deal done before November 1.
“The way Sam went around in Origin had a big sway in how they see the future and they want him to be a Rooster.
“It is bubbling away, it’s unresolved. It’s just another thing he’s got to cope with. He’s pretty carefree.”
Former Broncos coach Kevin Walters pondered whether Walker’s contract negotiations would be a distraction in the lead-up to finals.
“What about the contract saga around him, is that draining him or is that a concern?,” Walters said.
“He’s been at the Roosters since he was a kid and he hasn’t re-signed before he comes off on November 1. Is that a distraction for a player? I’m not sure why it hasn’t been sorted at the Roosters.”
Cooper Cronk quipped: “With $20 million in the back pocket? Can’t be concerned with that.”
Manly Sea Eagles star Tom Trbojevic said: “I don’t know Sam personally so I can’t comment on how he’s feeling.
“But I know for myself if my negotiations were playing out in the media, especially if it’s during the year, it would concern me a little bit and I guess it would take my attention off it (football).
“But people deal with that stuff differently. He’s been playing really well.”
Cronk, who won premierships with the Roosters in 2018 and 2019, said the Tricolours should be primed for their best shot at a premiership since he hung up the boots.
“I don’t think it’s an issue, it’s just working through the numbers” Cronk said.
“The Roosters are the closest they’ve been to winning a premiership than they have been in a long time, so if you’re getting distracted by a contract, that’s the wrong mindset to be in. There is a lot of other things to focus on.
“He would understand. Tedesco, Cherry-Evans has been brought there for a reason. September is the most important thing right now, not whether you sign on the dotted line. If it gets done before November 1 great, if it doesn’t, it does not worry. Both parties will get to the table and work it out.”
The jury is still out on whether Walker can deliver a premiership and his price tag may only skyrocket if he can take the Roosters all the way this season.
Walker didn’t play like a $1.3 million halfback against the Bulldogs, with Cronk pointing out: “I thought he looked frustrated in the second half.
“One thing he tends to go to when he gets frustrated is kicks for himself and things like that.
“He’s had a big year I probably feel he’s low on energy off the back of Origin.
“But he’s about to find out with Penrith next week and a ramp up to September. I think he’ll get back to his best.
“That was a completely different game (to the Cowboys). He got that kick in the end for (Salesi) Foketi, but he looked a bit frustrated, a couple of errors.”
“It was a disappointing performance from us, we were far from our best,” Walker told Channel 9 post-game.
“It’s good to get the win in those scrappy games but we’ve got be a lot better than that if we’re going to do anything this year.”
Roosters coach Trent Robinson said: “We can play better, I want to play better than we did tonight.”
Penrith captain Isaah Yeo suffered a suspect pectoral injury in his side’s 28-12 loss to the Warriors and after looking like the team to beat all season, the Panthers suddenly look vulnerable heading into next week’s top-of-the-table clash.
“The next game against Penrith is the biggest game for the Roosters in a long time,” Cronk said.
“They are tied at the top, they haven’t been big in September for a few years. Penrith are the Roosters’ kryptonite. If they get the victory over Ivan and Nathan, all of a sudden you can beat Penrith in a prelim final.”
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