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Chiefs coach Willie Peters says out-of-favour Rooster Sam Walker is a genuine option as the club\u2019s inaugural halfback if he is genuine about a move to PNG.<\/p>\n
The Chiefs were keen to offer Nathan Cleary the equivalent of $5 million per season gross in Australia, comprising a tax-free $2.5 million contract and third-party deals of at least $500,000.<\/p>\n
![\"Sam](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/557dbf41ce6999e53087d2eadaa46b8703dec982.jpeg\")
Sam Walker at Kangaroos training last week.Getty Images<\/p>\n
However, Cleary opted to remain in Penrith<\/a> and is working through the fine print on a two-year extension, with the option for a further two seasons in the halfback\u2019s favour.<\/p>\n Another potential Chiefs signing, Zane Harrison, has recommitted to the Gold Coast Titans until the end of 2029. That leaves Walker as the Chiefs\u2019 main target.<\/p>\n Related Article \u201cSam is a quality player,\u201d Peters said. \u201cThere\u2019s no doubt about that. For us, we\u2019ve always been adamant that we want people who want to come to PNG. If Sam has a genuine interest in coming and playing for the Chiefs, then he will definitely be someone we look at.\u201d<\/p>\n Walker spectacularly fell out with the Roosters after asking for more time and money before recommitting. That stance infuriated club powerbrokers, who pulled the offer from the table<\/a> and prompting speculation the Maroons playmaker may have played his last match for the Tricolours<\/a>.<\/p>\n The majority of clubs won\u2019t have the money to accommodate Walker for 2027 if he were to seek a fresh start immediately, while the Chiefs have made it clear they are in the market for a marquee halfback to partner Jarome Luai.<\/p>\n \u201cWe haven\u2019t spoken to the Chiefs, but of course Sam will consider them if they\u2019re genuinely keen on Sam,\u201d said Walker\u2019s agent, Clinton Schifcofske.<\/p>\n Related Article \u201cSam wants to wait until after the World Cup to work out what he wants to do.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s got a fair bit to weigh up. It\u2019s not a surprise there\u2019s been plenty of interest in Sam. He\u2019ll sift through his options in good time.\u201d<\/p>\n The franchise has already signed Joey Manu, Jarome Luai, Alex Johnston, Zac Lomax, Brian To\u2019o, Connor Watson and Matty Lees.<\/p>\n Another player of interest is Canberra forward Hudson Young, who toured the club\u2019s facilities this week<\/a>. The Chiefs will need to pay Young $1 million per season after the NRL confirmed that is his market value.<\/p>\n Young was returning to Sydney on Friday afternoon after spending several days in Port Moresby.<\/p>\n News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport sent every Friday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n![\"Nathan](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/1793950576_944_37ae78c78a4fd16a6c50bfb1cebb0aca01881d0e.jpeg\")
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