Sydney Roosters set deadline on Sam Walker contract talks, Cody Walker extension, latest transfer news and rumours

It sounds like Sam Walker could be locked in as a Rooster for life as early as next week.

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The star halfback’s future has been one of the biggest talking points in the NRL since he helped the Tricolours to a grand final win over Newcastle.

The expectation was that Walker may wait until after the Rugby League World Cup to sign a new contract, which would have seen him head to November 1 and test his value on the open market.

However, that looks set to change with Code Sports reporting that the Roosters have told Walker’s management that they want an answer by next Monday — and the young playmaker is happy to play ball.

According to the publication, Walker is not interested in heading to free agency and has told his agent Clinton Schifcofske that he would prefer to stay at the Roosters.

Walker is currently on approximately $1.05 million but has been offered an upgraded deal which will see him get a $350,000 pay rise annually.

While the looming threat of the PNG Chiefs would have had Roosters fans nervous, all signs at this stage point towards Walker staying put and partnering Hugo Savala.

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‘NEVER HEARD OF’ TWIST IN WALKER’S SOUTHS CONTRACT

Sam isn’t the only Walker whose future has been making headlines this offseason, with plenty of eyes also on South Sydney and whether the Rabbitohs would strike a deal with Cody Walker.

Well, a one-year extension is imminent for the veteran five-eighth after initial fears that a low-ball offer could force Walker to look elsewhere.

Instead, retired veteran rugby league reporter Phil ‘Buzz’ Rothfield said on Triple M this week that Walker will sign the “last contract of his career” worth between $400,000 and $450,000.

“Which is huge step up from the insulting $300,000 they offered him,” Rothfield added.

None of that is a surprise as it had been trending that way in the past month. But there is a twist, with Rothfield claiming that Walker has asked for an incentive to be added to that contract and it is one has “never heard (of) before”.

“I’ve heard incentives if they make the top eight and incentives if they play 15 games to cover for injuries… he’s saying to Souths I want an incentive that if the Rabbitohs win the grand final I want extra and he’s talking around $50,000 to $100,000,” Rothfield said.

“How they manage that in the salary cap I don’t know.”

But the overwhelming sentiment from Rothfield was that if anything, Rabbitohs fans should see it as a sign of Walker’s confidence in South Sydney’s premiership hopes for 2027.

“I think it’s a terrific sign of the mood Souths are in right now… I just think it’s a lovely story that he’s backing himself to lead that football club to a premiership,” Rothfield said.

It is hard not to see why Walker would be confident, with Payne Haas off to South Sydney while the hope will be that a healthy Latrell Mitchell can make a consistent impact in the centres.

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FOUR-WAY RACE FOR KANGAROOS BREAKOUT STAR

While both Walkers appear close to finalising their future, the same can’t be said for Dolphins flyer Jack Bostock.

In fact, he only upped his asking price last week with a hat-trick on debut as the Kangaroos pipped the Kiwis in a thriller.

It would have been a bittersweet sight for the Dolphins, who face a serious fight to keep Bostock and it sounds like there are at least three other clubs showing interest.

Unsurprisingly, the Dragons are keen on bringing the impressive Illawarra product back home and Rothfield believes they will be the biggest threat to the Dolphins.

“St George were so excited watching him at the Test match the other night… I reckon they’ll use all their Val money and make the biggest play of all, being a south coast junior,” he said.

Rothfield also reported that the Sharks are expected to make a “massive play”, having lost veteran outside backs Jesse Ramien and Sione Katoa to North Queensland.

The other team to watch is Parramatta, with CODE Sports journalist Brent Read reporting that the Eels will enquire about Bostock if they miss out on Knights centre Bradman Best.

“Bradman obviously is Parramatta’s priority, but if they miss out on Bradman they’ll definitely look at Jack Bostock as well,” he said.

Bostock was asked about his future in a recent interview with 2GB’s Sports Today and was coy on the topic, telling the radio program he is leaving contract talks to his manager.

“I’m not too sure mate, that’s with my manager now that I’m here (in Kangaroos camp), I can’t really be worrying about negotiating contracts,” Bostock said at the time.

“It’s not fair on anyone, especially me while I’m in here. My manager’s got to get his money’s worth because that’s his job and he can do it without me.”

EELS CONSIDER SURPRISE LIFELINE FOR FLYER

In other news, it sounds like the Eels are doing their homework as they canvas potential replacements for Josh Addo-Carr.

The veteran winger is expected to learn his fate as early as this week as he sits down with Eels powerbrokers in a crunch meeting.

Addo-Carr is awaiting the B sample after allegedly testing positive to cocaine at a roadside drug test.

The Eels flyer is facing a 12-game ban from the NRL regardless of whether he stays at the club or not, but if Parramatta does sack Addo-Carr it already has a contingency plan in place.

Veteran rugby league reporter Paul Kent said on FanaticsTV that the Eels have been linked to former Dragons flyer Tyrell Sloan.

Sloan has signed with the Castleford Tigers, but there have been consistent whispers that he may instead stay in the NRL.

Former Dragons assistant Ryan Carr was reported to be a key factor in Sloan signing with the Super League outfit, but his departure has thrown a spanner in the works — and now the Eels may be poised to strike.

“Parramatta don’t have to pay him for those 12 games under the NRL contracts, but what they do have to do is carry that on their cap,” Kent explained.

“The whisper going around the game right now is Tyrell Sloan, who was for all intents we thought going to England, might get a lifeline at the Eels.

“Now, they won’t be replacing like-for-like. Addo-Carr is a much better player. But Tyrell Sloan almost has this ability to score a try that very few in the game have. He has blinding speed like Addo-Carr has.

“So, from a player point of view you’re not getting what Addo-Carr brought to your team, but you’re getting a pretty good facsimile. You’re also getting it for much less. Addo-Carr is on around $450,000 to $500,000 at Parramatta.

“You’ll get Sloan for essentially minimum wage. You’ll get him for all the games, not half of them.”