Sam Walker’s $5m knockback and contract leaks a sign of times in NRL’s wild player market

August 12, 2026 — 1:51pm

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Trent Robinson is at ease with Sam Walker knocking back a five-year, $5 million-plus Roosters contract extension and the tax-free PNG Chiefs poaching threat, but he chipped his star halfback’s management for playing out talks in public.

Walker and the Roosters have agreed to pause negotiations on a long-term extension until after the season, with the Queensland Origin No.7 backing himself to deliver a 2026 title and justify an upgraded offer in the process.

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Robinson’s pre-game press conference ahead of Thursday’s top-of-the-table clash against Penrith was waylaid by a News Corp report that Walker’s camp was underwhelmed by the Tricolours’ latest extension offer on Tuesday.

Sources speaking on the condition of anonymity in order to speak freely have confirmed that Walker’s overwhelming priority is to remain at the Roosters.

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Veteran playmaker Daly Cherry-Evans has also been linked to a Super League swansong with Hull FC next year as conjecture continues to swirl around whether he will retire, take up an option for 2027 with the Roosters or play on elsewhere.

The Roosters are a regular talking point in the player market given their glamour club status and track record of targeting big names such as Cherry-Evans, Reece Robson, David Fifita and, casting further back, premiership-winning recruits James Tedesco and Cooper Cronk.

Robinson believes it is part and parcel of a market turned on its head by incoming expansion clubs PNG and Perth, and a news cycle that thrives on player movement and speculation.

But while lauding Walker’s willingness to set talks to the side ahead of the club’s biggest game of the season, Robinson was bemused at details of Tuesday’s meeting being leaked, having recently also dismissed suggestions of a 10-year, “lifetime” contract being in play for the 24-year-old.

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“I don’t have any issues long term about Sam and what he’s going to do,” Robinson said.

“I think our vision for the future with Sammy is really clear, and our discussions have been around that.

“I’ve got no problem waiting until October to have that discussion either, because that means we can focus on [football] right now.

“I think it’s strange that [the report has] come out in Queensland. That’s pretty clear how that comes out – from [Walker’s] management when there’s only a couple of people in the meeting – so that’s disappointing. But Sammy’s reasoning for it, great. It’s a real positive”.

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Walker’s management did not return calls on Wednesday.

Robinson pointed to the Roosters’ long-term investment in Walker, who has been on the club’s books since he was 16, and predicted he can eventually usurp Panthers and NSW Origin rival Nathan Cleary as the game’s best No.7.

That undoubted potential has Walker and Cleary on PNG’s radar as potential foundation halfbacks, should either star playmaker remain unsigned before November 1.

‘If we want more money in the game, want to expand, we need more teams, so I think it’s a positive thing.’

Trent Robinson on NRL expansion teams

Walker’s previous contract talks with the Roosters have yielded shorter two-year extensions that were finalised after the regular season, though his management have made clear they are seeking a long-term contract this time around as the NRL’s salary cap rises toward $20 million during the next broadcast deal.

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Walker is on about $1 million this season. Informed sources have told this masthead the Roosters have floated a staggered five-year upgrade that would push his salary towards $1.4 million a year, depending on the salary cap for 2028 and beyond.

Contract speculation and public brinksmanship between clubs and managers is unlikely to dissipate anytime soon given the NRL’s expansion plans and PNG’s ability to offer tax-free wages and third-party deals.

Reports of Walker’s contract talks came as manager Wayde Rushton told Wide World of Sports he plans to test the value of star Bulldogs back-rower Jacob Preston on the open market given “the figure [Canterbury] came up with and the one we are looking at are a fair way apart”.

Penrith’s well-documented roster puzzle also hinges on tying down Cleary and injured co-captain Isaah Yeo before they can entertain rival offers, while Canberra are hopeful of re-signing NSW star Hudson Young with a $3 million, three-year offer before November 1.

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Unlike rival NRL clubs and coaches, most notably Rabbitohs mentor Wayne Bennett, Robinson has no qualms with salary cap concessions for expansion clubs.

“It’s not a level playing field, I think we can see that,” Robinson said, while indicating a final call on captain James Tedesco facing the Panthers is still to be made.

“So we’ve got [PNG] where we feel like one’s not a level playing field at all and [Perth] where we feel like they need more assistance. And we’re going to debate about how much.

“We’re going to debate … but do we want our game to grow? We’re not going to stop at 19 [teams] ... we should own the Pacific.

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Dan Walsh is a sports reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.

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