Sam Walker learns fate after sin-binning on NRL return
Jasper Bruce |
Sydney Roosters star Sam Walker has avoided spending even more time on the sidelines after dodging suspension for his cannonball-style tackle on David Klemmer.
Injury-stricken Walker was sin-binned during his first game for 314 days and so faced a nervous wait after the 31-24 defeat of St George Illawarra at Kogarah Oval.
After full-time on Saturday, the 23-year-old told reporters it was “a bit ridiculous” to have been sent for 10 minutes for the shot, which Roosters coach Trent Robinson also downplayed.
“It didn’t feel bad at all. I’ve made that tackle a million times and it’s never been a penalty,” Walker said.
“I personally think (the sin-binning) is a bit ridiculous … There’s not a world where I’m trying to hurt David Klemmer in a tackle like that.”
On Sunday, the match review committee opted against charging Walker altogether.
A cannonball tackle is a shot where a defender enters the tackle late and targets the legs of the standing ball-carrier.
The tackle can cause serious injury, with Roosters forward Siua Wong in the midst of a six-week lay-off with a knee issue caused by a cannonball tackle from North Queensland’s Karl Lawton, who copped a two-game ban.
On Saturday night, Klemmer went off after the shot but returned in the second half to finish the game.
Walker is now free to face Cronulla on Friday night and resume a season that has been significantly hindered by knee and thumb injuries.
The 23-year-old halfback looms as crucial to the Roosters cementing a spot in the top eight across the final eight rounds of the regular season.
AAP
