Teammate drops major Sam Walker hint
Angus Crichton has dropped a massive hint about Sam Walker’s future at the Roosters, with the representative edge forward revealing the young halfback has been looking at properties in Sydney in a sign he’ll likely sign a new deal with the club.
Walker’s future has been a major talking point ahead of the November 1 deadline, with reports the Roosters No.7 is keen on inking a new two-year deal to extend his stay through the 2027 season despite strong interest from north of the border.
The talented playmaker will miss the start of the 2025 campaign due to a serious knee injury, but that hasn’t affected interest from rival clubs who would love to sign someone with his attacking ability.
But the Roosters appear to be in the box seat to keep the attacking maestro, with Crichton keen for his good mate to put pen to paper soon.
Sam Walker will miss the start of the season as he recovers from the ACL injury that kept him out of the finals. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
“I don’t have a scoop for you, but I know he’s been looking for properties around Sydney so hopefully that’s a good sign,” he said from Kangaroos camp in New Zealand.
“I’m great mates with Sammy. I sort of tried to take him under my wing when he came to the club as a pimply little 17-year-old.
“We’re great mates now and I’m super keen on him sticking around. He’s a crucial part to our team. The way that he plays, you can see that there are points all around him.
“The kind of stuff that he pulls out on the field, you can’t coach it. The more mature he gets as a half, he’ll get better and better. He’s a massive part of our team moving forward.”
Walker could one day play for the Kangaroos, but he’ll have to watch on this weekend as they look to book their spot in the Pacific Cup final with a win over the Kiwis who stunned them 30-0 in last year’s decider.
Coach Mal Meninga has made a number of changes to the team that lost that game, with Mitch Barnett one of several fresh faces in last week’s win over Tonga.
The Warriors front-rower has been dubbed Mitch ‘Wahnett’ by Crichton and some of his new teammates, with the bench forward expecting a frosty reception from the New Zealand faithful this weekend.
Mitch Barnett has been a star for the Warriors since he joined the club, but he’s expecting a few boos when he runs out for the Kangaroos across the ditch this weekend. Picture: Dave Rowland/Getty Images
“I wouldn’t imagine (the reception will be) too good,” Barnett said.
“It’s been pretty funny coming here and being very well known by the rugby league community here so I’ve had a few people asking for photos and wishing me the best which has been a nice change.”
Barnett says this will be like any other game despite coming up against several of his Warriors teammates, with the 30-year-old looking for a big finish to the best year of his career which also saw him make his Blues debut.
“I’ve always believed that I was good enough to make it,” he said.
“I just knew that I had a few things that I had to tidy up on and off the field. I’ve had the move out of Newcastle and moved to the Warriors, and the whole club and coaching staff have backed me and believed in me which has given me the confidence.
“I’ve worked really hard to tidy those things up to get to where I am.”