The Sam Walker sweepstakes are off and racing… however, it appears the South Sydney Rabbitohs won’t be entering.
The Roosters stunned the NRL world on Monday night when pulling their offer to the halfback, effectively meaning he’s up for grabs.
A special edition of NRL 360 will break down all the latest November 1 madness, including Sam Walker and Hudson Young. Catch the episode at 1pm AEDT on Fox League 502 and stream the episode on Kayo Sports.
There are more than several clubs who could use Walker, but the Broncos aren’t one of them, with the Brisbane glamour club dipping out of the race for the Maroons and Kangaroos star.
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The Rabbitohs emerged as a potential destination after ormer Daily Telegraph newshound Phil Rothfield revealed he had contacted Rabbitohs CEO Blake Solly following the Walker news.
“I’m hearing that the Rabbitohs, who we all know are desperately short a half, are in the mix,” Rothfield said on Triple M.
“Before we came on the air, I texted (CEO) Blake Solly and said, “there’s mail you might be interested in Sam Walker
“Not 100% sure. It’s all pretty sudden. We’ll see what happens on or after November 1 and if he is still available, we’ll look at the asking price.
“He hasn’t said no. He’s left it wide open.”
However, The Courier Mail’s Peter Badel has revealed that Souths coach Wayne Bennett stated the club won’t pursue Walker.
Badel contacted Souths coach Wayne Bennett to inquire about the club’s position on Walker.
“There’s a story up on the news court platforms now that South are out, according to Wayne. Definitely out,” Badel said on a special episode of NRL360.
“So he’s gone on the record saying we can’t afford him. And if we were to afford him, we’d have to let someone, a big name player go.
“I heard too that apparently Souths had a board meeting yesterday and I’m told that they said they weren’t pursuing Walker.”
NRL360 host Braith Anasta isn’t so sure though.
Pointing out that the Bunnies could clear some cap room by letting a player or two go, Anasta thinks Souths have to still be considered in the running until Walker makes his decision.
“I wouldn’t put it to bed. I know Wayne said that to you, but to me, that’s not a definite no,” Anasta said.
“It doesn’t mean they’re out.”
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Despite the Bunnies’ reported stance, when you break it all down, it’s a move that makes sense.
Not only are the Rabbitohs are halfback short of contending, but Souths coach Wayne Bennett handed Walker’s dad Ben his first grade debut in 1995 and also coached Walker’s two uncles Chris and Shane.
Additionally, Bennett isn’t averse to making a splash.
The Bunnies also have a stack of cap space for 2028 with several players set to hit the open market on November 1.
Campbell Graham, Latrell Mitchell, Jack Wighton, David Fifita and Jayden Sullivan are just a handful of names contracted until the end of 2027 who have yet to ink extensions with the club.
But what if Walker is forced out of the Roosters before next season?
“They can’t get Walker next year though,” Rothfield stated on Triple M, pointing to the limited room in their salary cap for 2027.
“If dominoes fall and let’s just say something was to happen to one of those three (Mitchell, Graham, Wighton), they’ll free up some cap space by granting an early release,” CODE Sports journalist David Riccio responded.
If the Bunnies were to nab Walker, it’ll be quite the storyline, given the fierce history of the Rabbitohs and Roosters.
It’ll also no doubt leave a sour taste in the mouth at the Bondi club, particularly that of chairman Nick Politis, who torched the Roosters’ recent contract offer for Walker.
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REASON WHY PNG MAY FACE UPHILL BATTLE TO SIGN WALKER
Following the Roosters’ massive call on Walker, the Chiefs have landed in the box seat to sign Sam Walker.
If money is what he’s solely after, the Chiefs will be his choice given they can offer tax-free deals.
However, in a new development which was laid bare on a special edition of NRL360, the Maroons and Kangaroos rep may not be so keen to head to the Chiefs.
“I’m hearing he doesn’t want to go there,” former NRL star Braith Anasta said.
To which Badel replied: “I spoke to his uncle Shane Walker, who played a lot of NRL games, I am told that he said ‘Sam, this could set you up for life’.
“Like you could go there for three years, get four million tax-free and you never have to work ever again. I know there’s elements of his family that want him to go there.
“However, I’m hearing Sam personally doesn’t want to go there. Ideally, I think his preference is to stay at the Roosters, but it’s not going to happen on the money they’ve offered.”
The Chiefs have signed several stars such as Jarome Luai, Zac Lomax and Brian To’o and are on the verge of landing Raiders gun Hudson Young.
But the expansion side are still without a halfback.
Nathan Cleary is an option but it appears he’ll stay put in Penrith. It’s long been reported that Walker is also on the Chiefs’ wish list. As is Titans young gun Zane Harrison.
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SHOCK QLD SIDE TO ENTER SWEEPSTAKES?
Watch this space on the North Queensland Cowboys, who have emerged as a legitimate option to land Walker.
However, for it to happen, it’ll have to involve the Cowboys shipping star playmaker and Wally Lewis Medal winner Tom Dearden.
Dearden is contracted until the end of 2029 and has repeatedly shut down any rumours he is agitating for a move to Sydney because of his family situation.
However, it’s a rumour that just won’t die.
Badel explained that the Cowboys are a live option for Walker, noting the halfback’s younger brother recently signed a deal with the Townsville-based club.
“So the only other option, boys that I’m hearing is the Cowboys, because there’s a few reasons,” Badel said.
“One is we’ve heard the Tom Dearden family reasons. He may move to Sydney, had a kid last week, his partner’s given birth in Sydney.
“And the other factor is his brother Tyson is up at the Cowboys and he signed a three-year deal two weeks ago.
He’s 19-years-old, sees himself playing NRL and Sam would be open to playing with his brother at the Cowboys.
“So if they could make a swap happen, they’re on comparable salaries. Sam’s on 1.05 million at the moment. Dearden’s on $1 million. You wouldn’t have to do a lot of subsidy.”
A Tom Dearden-Sam Walker swap would rock the NRL.Source: News Corp Australia
WHERE THE BRONCOS STAND IN WALKER CIRCUS
There’s an air of “romanticism” according to Braith Anasta surrounding a potential return for Walker at the Broncos.
The talented halfback never played a single NRL game for Brisbane, having landed in Red Hill at only 12-year-old.
He came through the club’s pathways system before he made his eventual switch to the Roosters — going on to win a premiership in 2026.
So is a return to the Broncos a genuine possibility? The short answer is no.
“Well, I made some calls about that yesterday, and the sentiment from the Broncos is they just don’t have the room,” Badel said.
”They’ve got Jonah Pezet, who you know well. He’s joining the club, he’s on a three-year deal, they’ve got Ezra Mamm om about $900,000, they’ve got (Tom) Duffy.
“They’ve got Reece Walsh on $1.1 million… they’d have to maybe trade Pezet to get Walker.”
RUGBY AUSTRALIA EXPRESS INTEREST
Could Walker consider a shock code switch?
It’s unlikely, but Rugby Australia boss Phil Waugh says their door is always open for talent from rival codes.
Walker was a schoolboy rugby star for Ipswich Grammar before ultimately deciding he’d pursue a career in league.
With the Rugby World Cup next year, Waugh has expressed interest in adding Walker to the fray, even if it’s just for 2027.
Would Walker consider joining good mate Angus Crichton in rugby union?Source: Getty Images
“We’ve been consistent on this, about creating an environment where we want players, as many great players as we can, coming into rugby,” Waugh told CODE Sports.
“We’ve said it a million times, the door’s open for athletes who want to achieve something great.
“He’s one that’s obviously achieved great things in rugby league. With his skill set, he’s got the capability to play both codes at the highest level.”
Walker’s good friend and Roosters teammate Angus Crichton is making the switch next season, signing with the Waratahs but if Walker was to cross over to the 15-man code, it must be said, it would be a much bigger bombshell than the contract saga with the Roosters.