He is among the most powerful and ruthless figures in rugby league and on Monday evening, Roosters supremo Nick Politis once again made good on that reputation.<\/p>\n
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.<\/a><\/p>\n But there is another side to Politis. One that deeply cares about his players. <\/p>\n WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.<\/p>\n He never wanted to see Sam Walker walk out the door and at this stage, the premiership-winning halfback hasn\u2019t.<\/p>\n But by all reports Walker may well have played his last game for the Roosters<\/a>.<\/p>\n If that ends up being the case, it will be a sad and unfortunate end to what should have been a long career in the red, white and blue.<\/p>\n Politis wanted it to be that way. So, when he went to bed on Tuesday night, even after making a call he knew was the right one for the club, he was second guessing it all. <\/p>\n \u201cIt breaks his heart,\u201d veteran rugby league reporter Phil Rothfield said on NRL 360.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was just about in tears when I spoke to him yesterday over this breakdown. The boy went to Ipswich Grammar, Nick\u2019s old school. He\u2019s very, very close to him.\u201d<\/p>\n Rothfield, who also spoke to Roosters coach Trent Robinson<\/a> on Wednesday morning, detailed the timeline which led to the club sensationally withdrawing its offer for Walker earlier this week.<\/p>\n Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!<\/a><\/p>\n Did Walker Mark spray rattle Roosters? | 01:55<\/p>\n According to Rothfield, Walker\u2019s agents Clinton Schifcofske and Steve Gillis met him after the Kangaroos\u2019 game against the Cook Islands in Brisbane.<\/p>\n \u201cThey came to him and said there\u2019s a deadline now, we need to make a decision today. They told him the terms of the deal, which was 1.2 million dollars and a ratchet,\u201d Rothfield added.<\/p>\n \u201cSchifcofske and Gillis left that meeting thinking everything was sweet. Sam had indicated everything is sweet. He didn\u2019t actually agree, but he said, \u2018That\u2019s great. I\u2019m just going to bounce it off dad and I\u2019m going to bounce it off my partner\u2019. Steve said, \u2018I\u2019m meeting Nick at four, I need to know by four\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n Rothfield said Gillis then met Politis at the Langham Hotel on the Gold Coast and were waiting for a phone call from Walker.<\/p>\n \u201cIt never came,\u201d Rothfield said.<\/p>\n \u201cSam was obviously having second thoughts, having spoken to his dad and his partner. At 10 to seven, he rang Steve Gillis and said, \u2018Mate, can you get me a little bit more?\u2019.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat that little bit more is probably $50,000 to 100,000. He said, \u2018Mate, I don\u2019t think I\u2019ll be able to, but I will take your request. I\u2019m under instructions from you\u2019. <\/p>\n \u201cNick understandably said enough is enough. He rang his recruitment boss, Joel Carbone, and said to withdraw the offer.\u201d<\/p>\n MORE SAM WALKER NEWS<\/p>\n \u2018ALMOST INSULTING\u2019: The moment Robbo called Buzz… with \u2018staggering\u2019 Walker reveal<\/a><\/p>\n REVEALED: Fiery Walker moment that had Roosters \u2018asking questions\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n ‘Offer was more than fair!” | 01:49<\/p>\n At that point, the Roosters were already so confident that Walker was going to sign on the dotted line that they had a press release already to go according to Peter Badel.<\/p>\n \u201cThere were quotes from Sam saying he loved the club. Trent Robinson was quoted. Nick was quoted. They were ready to hit send on that press release,\u201d Badel said.<\/p>\n \u201cNick then put in that deadline, the last deadline of 7:30pm Queensland time and the call never came. The press release never saw the light of day. They had a repurposed one and it\u2019s led to this powder keg that we\u2019ve got today.\u201d<\/p>\n As for the terms of the contract itself, Badel said two options were put to the Walker camp.<\/p>\n One involved a three-year extension with a base salary of $1.2 million and a ratchet which would see it rise to about $1.4 million in keeping with the salary cap increase from 2028. <\/p>\n The other was a more straight-forward deal without ratchets of $1.4 million and the club is said to have told Walker\u2019s camp they could have their pick.<\/p>\n MORE SAM WALKER NEWS<\/p>\n