Navigating Performance Dynamics: Sam Walker’s Perspective

Sam Walker has been attentive to the prevailing sentiment suggesting his enhanced performance alongside Sandon Smith compared to his partnership with Luke Keary. However, the young player has steadfastly defended his experienced halves partner, attributing to him a sense of confidence on the field.

The Roosters encountered challenges in their offensive strategies against the Panthers in the previous week, as the three-time defending premiers effectively restricted their movements through the middle and swiftly closed down any attempts to spread the ball.

The halves duo struggled to establish momentum until the latter stages of the match, following a remarkable display in the preceding week where they amassed 48 points in a dominant victory over the Rabbitohs, positioning themselves as formidable contenders for the premiership title.

The notable disparity in performance coincided with Smith’s inclusion in the halves alongside Walker, as Keary was sidelined due to a head injury sustained in round two. This circumstance has sparked discussions online, suggesting that Walker may thrive best alongside Smith, who is currently sidelined with an elbow injury for an extended period.

“You can go off one result against the three-peat premiers, it’s easy to point fingers there. But ‘Kez’ has been awesome to start the season and I feel like that combination is on a really good path at the moment,” Walker said, with Keary signed on until the end of 2025.

“It’s hard. As halves you’re always going to cop that scrutiny. If the team is going well, the halves are playing well and they get all the credit. And vice versa, if you’re not performing it’s often put back towards the halves there. It’s something you have to live with.

“I felt really comfortable with Kez at the start of the season. And then ‘Sando’ came in and played a really good role as well against the Rabbitohs.

“We’re a pretty tight unit, and we all play that similar sort of style as well. Whoever is in there we feel really comfortable they’re going to do the job there for us.”

Keary has played a key role in Walker’s development since he debuted in 2021, with the Roosters’ class in the halves set to be a huge advantage against the Bulldogs on Friday night.

“That experience he brings as well, like personally for myself (has been important),” he said, with the Roosters also losing in round two when they combined against Manly.

“There’s a lot of momentum shifts and a lot of moments in the game. That experience that he’s had for 11 or 12 seasons now is something pretty good for me to lean on.

“He’s very confident as well, and I feel like he just sheds that confidence towards you no matter what the situation. If we’re down or if we’re up, he’s always confident. He knows what he needs to do and he goes and does his job.”

Walker was outstanding against the Rabbitohs with a couple of tries before he was ruled out of the contest by the independent head doctor which meant he would have missed the Panthers game had the club not appealed to the NRL and won.

Still only 21, the future rep player is starting to take control of the team just 12 months after he was dropped and then missed four months due to a knee injury.

“As a whole in my game, I’m feeling really comfortable. I think it’s the best form on both sides of the ball. I feel really comfortable in that role,” he said.

“I just want to keep building on all those little areas in my game and keep trying to build on my connections with the rest of the team.

“The start of the season is always the toughest period of time to try and work through, everyone finding their feet and finding out where everyone’s at. Hopefully we will keep building this way, the way we’ve been going.

“Those two wins we have had so far been really impressive as well. It’s just trying to find that same sort of form in those other games.”