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<\/p>\nHas Sam Walker\u2019s price gone up?<\/p>\n
The Roosters\u2019 talented halfback made a triumphant return in the preliminary finals, steering his side to a win over the Dolphins on return from a syndesmosis injury.<\/p>\n
Over the past few weeks, the Roosters and Walker\u2019s management have been involved in a contract standoff which has raised fears he will test his value on the open market come November 1.<\/p>\n
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Watch every game of the 2026 NRL Telstra Premiership Finals Series before the Grand Final LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\n Despite him rejecting the club\u2019s initial offer of a four-year extension worth around $1.1 million a season in July, Walker revealed he wants \u201cto stay at the Roosters\u201d.<\/p>\n However, his salary has been a major sticking point \u2014 with it previously being reported the Origin star\u2019s camp were seeking a deal worth around $1.7 million per-season.<\/p>\n According to The Australian\u2019s Brent Read, the Roosters may have to get closer to that figure and upgrade the deal that\u2019s currently \u201con the table\u201d. <\/p>\n \u201cHis price probably did go up after the weekend,\u201d Read said on NRL360 on Monday night.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t think it would, but it probably has, not significantly. But he\u2019s got a good offer on the table… it probably went up a little bit.<\/p>\n \u201cThe talk is the (Nathan) Cleary deal is around $1.7m, $1.8m per-year… I\u2019m not saying he\u2019s there, but he\u2019s not far off thought.\u201d<\/p>\n Sam Walker enjoyed an early mark after a great return from injury against the Dolphins.Source: Supplied<\/p>\n Read indicated Walker could command $1.5 million, especially if he is able to help the Roosters down the Knights and lift the premiership trophy on Sunday.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think he wants to go anywhere, Nick normally gets what he wants,\u201d Read said.<\/p>\n Walker, meanwhile, moved to silence the contract rumblings after the preliminary finals victory.<\/p>\n \u201cMy preference is obviously to stay at the Roosters,\u201d he told CODE Sports.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cFor now I\u2019m not thinking anything about that.<\/p>\n \u201cMy job is to go out there and perform and play football and the rest will take care of itself.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve not given that any thought at all until. There\u2019s not a glimmer of thought about that at the moment.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s about winning next Sunday.\u201d<\/p>\n DEARDEN\u2019S RESPONSE TO SHOCK RUMOURS<\/p>\n Tom Dearden\u2019s agent has moved to silence persistent rumours his client is headed for the exit, insisting the gun halfback will remain at the Cowboys.<\/p>\n The 25-year-old\u2019s current contract with the North Queensland club runs until the end of the 2029 season.<\/p>\n However, Dearden has consistently been linked with a move to Sydney, with multiple reporters hinting the Origin gun has a desire to relocate across the border.<\/p>\n Dearden\u2019s manager Sam Ayoub got on the front foot to dispel the Cowboys\u2019 concerns, telling the SMH<\/a> his client won\u2019t be departing early.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t say it strongly enough \u2013 Tom Dearden is going nowhere,\u201d Ayoub said.<\/p>\n \u201cHe has come out publicly and said as much, and he\u2019s telling the truth.<\/p>\n \u201cI find it very disturbing when people are linking him to the South Sydney club. I have not talked to Souths or any club about Tom. He will be playing with the Cowboys.\u201d<\/p>\n Dearden is reportedly unhappy with the continued chatter surrounding his future, but reportedly understands where it stems from.<\/p>\n His partner, who is currently pregnant, is still living in Sydney but is set to make the permanent move to Townsville in the coming months.<\/p>\n Tom Dearden of the Cowboys.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n VETERAN\u2019S TIGERS SWITCH<\/p>\n Benji Marshall is set to inject some battle-hardened leadership into his squad for the 2027 season, with Kurt Mann reportedly set to join the Tigers.<\/p>\n According to the SMH<\/a>, Mann simply has to pass a medical before his switch to the merger club will be confirmed.<\/p>\n The 33-year-old joined the Bulldogs ahead of the 2024 season, emerging as a key cog in Cameron Ciraldo\u2019s middle forward rotation.<\/p>\n He earned himself an Origin debut for Queensland last season, playing in two games during a series victory.<\/p>\n Now Mann is set for a new challenge, having previously spent time at the Knights, Dragons and Storm, where he began his career in 2014.<\/p>\n The veteran is also joined by experienced rake Jayden Brailey, with Marshall hoping their leadership can assist Api Koroisau in 2027.<\/p>\n RABBITOHS TABLE NEW DEAL TO VETERAN<\/p>\n The Rabbitohs have reportedly tabled a new deal for veteran five-eighth Cody Walker to remain at the club for the 2027 season.<\/p>\n However, according to Code Sports<\/a>, the contract will include multiple incentives the talented playmaker will have to tick off in order to earn a higher salary.<\/p>\n The 36-year-old\u2019s future at Souths has been in doubt this season and he reportedly admitted he was unsure if he would be retained at the recent Jai Arrow tribute dinner.<\/p>\n Walker suffered a cruel injury during the Rabbitohs finals loss to the Knights in a disappointing end to his and the club\u2019s 2026 campaign.<\/p>\n However, he will have even more incentive to win games next year due to the contract tabled which reportedly sits between the $300,000 and $400,000 mark.<\/p>\n Rabbitohs powerbrokers are reportedly willing to include clauses which rely on him playing in winning games to increase his salary to around $450,000.<\/p>\n According to News Corp, Walker and his management have been left baffled by the proposed contract.<\/p>\n Cody Walker of the Rabbitohs.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n Souths bosses, however, are reportedly not willing to remove those incentives from the veteran\u2019s contract, which could be his last in the NRL.<\/p>\n Walker reportedly has a two-year offer on the table from a Super League club and the Rabbitohs are aware of interest from other clubs.<\/p>\n What could also be telling for Walker\u2019s future is the Rabbitohs moving to re-sign Jamie Humphreys on a multi-year contract.<\/p>\n EELS\u2019 PAULO STANDOFF<\/p>\n Eels powerbrokers and Junior Paulo\u2019s management have reportedly hit a major contract hurdle in the veteran\u2019s bid to remain at the club.<\/p>\n According to Code Sports<\/a>, the standoff centres around Paulo\u2019s participating at the upcoming World Cup, with the veteran reportedly set to decide whether he features for Samoa.<\/p>\n If he does take the field, the Eels have reportedly advised Paulo\u2019s agent that the club are unlikely to register his new contract until after the World Cup comes to an end. Paulo\u2019s existing contract ends this year.<\/p>\n The 32-year-old is reportedly nursing a knee injury, but has a desire to take the field for his country and help their World Cup campaign.<\/p>\n Titans coach earns QRL life honour | 01:39<\/p>\n Parramatta bosses, meanwhile, view Paulo as a much-loved leader and have also begin discussions regarding a role at the club beyond his playing career.<\/p>\n Should a deal be struck after the World Cup, it would mean Paulo isn\u2019t contracted for a full 12-month period and therefore reduce his potential salary.<\/p>\n The veteran prop recently knocked back a two-year deal to join Mal Meninga\u2019s Bears squad due to the reported salary on offer.<\/p>\n KNIGHTS\u2019 BEST BOOST REVEALED<\/p>\n Bradman Best is set to test his value on the open market, but a new factor that could decide where his NRL future lies has been revealed \u2014 his brother.<\/p>\n According to the SMH<\/a>, the Origin centre has knocked back the initial offer tabled by Newcastle, with that move putting rival clubs on notice.<\/p>\n The 25-year-old could be set to field contract offers worth north of $1 million come November 1 \u2014 but Newcastle are reportedly unlikely to be able to match that figure.<\/p>\n