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Walker unpacks miracle return, contract talks and more
Joel Gould, AAP • September 27th, 2026 3:23 pm
Sam Walker capped a miracle recovery with a try to send his side into the NRL grand final | Photo: Jason O'BRIEN/AAP
Sam Walker says he wants to re-sign at the Sydney Roosters and his inspirational actions to return with a bang from injury in record-equalling time showcased the intent.
The 24-year-old halfback has parked contract extension talks until the end of the season and will play in his first grand final after a masterclass performance dismantled the Dolphins 36-20 in Friday night's preliminary final.
Walker returned in 27 days after suffering a syndesmosis injury against the Dolphins in round 26, the equal fastest recovery in NRL history from such an injury - alongside former Broncos playmaker Tristan Sailor.
He left nothing to chance.
"Hyperbaric chamber helped a fair bit," Walker said.
"Every time I was at home, I was icing and compressing as much as I could.
"Every day off I was in the club and making sure I got treatment to give myself the best possibility … and saunas, ice baths, everything I could do."
Sam Walker is preparing for his first NRL grand final after recovering from a syndesmosis injury | Photo: Jason O'BRIEN/AAP
Walker, having never previously suffered a syndesmosis injury, immediately targeted the preliminary final as his return date after the setback.
"I was pretty clear and focused," the Queensland star said.
"The boys worked so hard the last month without me there and I'm just really happy.
"I'm really grateful for the staff and the medical team at the Roosters.
"It's obviously a massive risk for them as well."
Sam Walker has put contract talks on hold until the end of the season | Photo: Jason O'BRIEN/AAP
Walker's focus is solely on the grand final after he agreed mutually with the club to put off extension talks. He is a free agent from November 1.
"There's not a glimmer of thought about that," he said.
"It's about winning next Sunday.
"For sure, my preference is obviously to stay at the Roosters, but for now … my job's to go out there and perform and play football and the rest will take care of itself."
Walker was a Roosters fan growing up and his fondest first grand final to watch was in 2013, when current winger Daniel Tupou scored a spectacular leaping try in a 26-18 win over Manly.
It is a 'pinch yourself' moment for Walker, who laid on a try for Tupou against the Dolphins with a bomb.
Sam Walker has fond memories of Daniel Tupou's try in the 2013 grand final | Photo: Paul Miller/AAP
"He's unbelievable. He was doing it in 2013 and he is still doing it now," Walker said.
"You just have to put the ball in the right spot, and he'll do the rest."
Now Walker gets to fulfil a lifelong dream on Sunday.
"I can't wait," he said.
"It's going to be an exciting week, but none of that matters, unless we go out there and perform for 80 minutes."
Walker will line up with 37-year-old half Daly Cherry-Evans in the veteran's final game in the NRL before joining Hull FC.
"It's been an absolute honour to play alongside Sam Walker. I hope I have passed on some knowledge to him, but he'd be surprised at how much he's teaching me," Cherry-Evans said.
Sam Walker and Daly Cherry-Evans have thrived as halves partners at the Roosters | Photo; Jason O'BRIEN/AAP
It only took 12 months for Cherry-Evans to "fall in love" with the club.
"If Sammy feels the same thing, then he'll stay. But those things have been put on the back burner until the season's done," he said.
"When the time's right, he will sort that out."
"If Sammy feels the same thing, then he'll stay. But those things have been put on the back burner until the season's done," he said.
"When the time's right, he will sort that out."
Walker wants to make sure Cherry-Evans gets a fairytale send-off.
"His impact on the club's been enormous," Walker said.
"The person he is, the energy he brings around the club is just infectious.
"We want to do him proud and send him off the right way."
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