Stronger, wiser: Sam Walker primed for NRL return
Margie McDonald |
Sam Walker is in better shape in both mind and body as far as coach Trent Robinson is concerned after naming him to play his first NRL game in 10 months.
Robinson had no hesitation in picking the 23-year-old halfback, who will return against St George Illawarra on Saturday after recovering from an ACL injury suffered in September and a thumb injury following his initial comeback in NSW Cup in June.
“Sammy is all ready to play some footy this weekend,” Robinson said.
“He’s a skinny little kid from Ipswich but he’s had a year off to build some things he really wanted to.
“I feel like he’s getting bigger and stronger and now it’s time to play and put that on the field.
“And there’s also a maturity that comes with stepping back from the game and looking at it from a certain perspective.
“We’ve been talking a long time about the game so there’s nothing new he needs to hear from me this week. It’s just time for him to get back out there and start playing post-ACL and post-thumb,” added Robinson.
“There’s nothing complicated about what we want from Sammy – just to get back in, defend well, kick well and compete.”
Sandon Smith has made way for Walker’s return with Hugo Savala remaining at five-eighth.
“Hugo just pipped him (Smith) at the post really… they have both done a great job for us,” Robinson said.
Overshadowed by Walker’s return is the fact the Roosters had five players involved in Origin – Robert Toia and Lindsay Collins for Queensland; Angus Crichton, Connor Watson and Spencer Leniu for NSW.
“They are all good to go,” Robinson said.
The other prodigal son returning is lock Victor Radley, who has sought advice from independent doctors, overseas specialists and the Roosters’ medical staff after suffering his latest concussion four weeks ago.
“He’s done a lot of work over the last month and he’s ready to play,” Robinson said, adding Radley had taken part in two wrestle sessions and two contact sessions and looked as sharp as ever.
“I don’t think you’ll see a different Victor in the way he plays the game. But he has been doing a lot more preventative work and he’s fitter as well,” he said.
Dragons coach Shane Flanagan said he was well aware of Walker’s talents, remembering the 2024 Anzac Day thumping (60-18) the Roosters inflicted on the Dragons, posting 10 tries with all of them converted by Walker after he had a hand in several of them.
“I’d like to think we’ve learned off that .. I think there was six tries off kicks last year,” Flanagan said today.
“With Gutho (fullback Clint Gutherson) being experienced back there it’s still a whole-team responsibility. We’ve got a plan around that.”
While the Roosters have players returning, including Valentine Holmes from Origin duties, the Dragons welcome two key ‘ins’ with forwards Hamish Stewart (concussion) and Luciano Leilua (quad strain).
AAP
