Rabbitohs star Campbell Graham has welcomed the club’s pursuit of Sam Walker, as another chapter in rugby league’s Book of Feuds looms large.
Walker’s contract situation has been one of the NRL’s hottest topics since the Sydney Roosters pulled their offer for an extension last month.
Roosters halfback Sam Walker. Getty Images
The gun halfback, who won a premiership with the Tricolours this year, is now expected to depart Bondi – potentially as early as next season.
The 25-year-old has a year to run on his deal with the Roosters, but club officials are reportedly happy to let him walk out the door before that.
While it would take some salary cap juggling or creative accounting to land Walker immediately, South Sydney have emerged as a genuine option.
Wayne Bennett initially went on the record to say Souths wouldn’t be able to afford the No.7 unless they let other players go, but that stance may have shifted.
News Corp reported on Monday that the halfback’s management will meet with the Rabbitohs after the club were approached by a third party.
Speaking on SEN Radio after the news broke, Graham – who has played his entire NRL career in red and green – said the in-demand Chooks star would “fit in nicely” at Souths and could form a lethal halves pairing with namesake Cody Walker.
“I only heard about it as I was coming here to the studio,” he said.
“It’s pretty interesting stuff, obviously he’s a great player and he just won a comp. I like the way he plays his footy, so I’d like to have him on my team.
“It would be pretty cool to see them together, they’re both kind of ad-lib instinctive players. I think he could slot in nicely with our brand of attacking footy.”
Walker’s father Ben played two seasons with Souths in the mid-2000s, while his uncles Chris and Shane also represented the club.
A potential move down Anzac Parade would set tongues wagging and add to the bitter history between the two proud foundation clubs.
Latrell Mitchell moved from the Roosters to Souths in 2020 and similar to Walker, it came just months after a premiership triumph.
Angus Crichton and Luke Keary both moved from Redfern to Bondi and found enormous success in the red, white and blue jersey.
Angus Crichton and Sam Walker celebrate the 2026 premiership. Getty Images
While plenty would need to change on the Souths roster to accommodate Walker’s asking price, superstar halfbacks don’t exactly grow on trees.
The club do have some flexibility in their roster for 2028 with the likes of Mitchell, Graham, Jack Wighton, David Fifita, Euan Aitken and Jayden Sullivan unsigned.
Bringing in a player of Walker’s talent alongside the likes of Cameron Murray, Payne Haas, Tallis Duncan and potentially Mitchell, pending his own contract situation, would make the Bunnies a title contender for years to come.
Souths are blessed with some quality rising stars including outside backs Talanoa Penitani and Dayne Jennings, as well as playmaker Taj Alvarez.
Walker has also been linked with the PNG Chiefs since the Roosters withdrew a deal worth an estimated $1.2 million per season.