The Sydney Roosters are now entering a fourth-straight week without halfback Sam Walker in the game day squad.
Walker was axed from the side after two disappointing losses in Round 6 and 7, being replaced by Joey Manu who elevated the Roosters’ attack in back-to-back wins.
With Manu thriving in Walker’s former position rumours began to swirl suggesting that the 20-year-old could be on the outer of the club, with Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins heavily linked to a move for the young half.
The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio confirmed the Roosters have no interest in letting Walker go and are aiming for him to return to the halves eventually.
“I don’t believe this one is coming out of the Roosters, I’ve spoken to Roosters’; officials and they’ve remained consistent, they want Sam Walker to remain a Rooster, they do,” Riccio told SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“They want him to develop as a footballer at their footy club, they want him to be there for the next ten years.”
Riccio also shed light on the rumours of a potential move to the Dolphins, confirming an approach was made by a member of the Walker camp.
“There’s no denying, that a third-party with tight relationships to Sam Walker has approached the Dolphins,” Riccio added.
“The Dolphins are in a bind, they don’t have much wiggle room in the halves, I don’t think Wayne Bennett will pursue this.
“However, it just speaks to potentially what Sam Walker is looking for and that’s obvious, he wants to play first grade.
“How long this plays out, as far as Sam playing reserve grade will ultimately be the test of this relationship, the longer he stays down the more testier this will get.
“From the Roosters point of view, they definitely want him to stick around.”
Sam Walker is under contract with the Roosters until the end of 2025 and is named to start at halfback in reserve grade for a fourth straight week.