In-demand Roosters halfback Sam Walker, who is currently recovering from a ruptured ACL, is set to pen a two-year, seven-figure extension at the Bondi club, according to a Sydney Morning Herald report.
One of the most dynamic halves in the NRL, Walker will reportedly earn $1 million per season on the new agreement.
His father, Ben Walker, played 72 games with the Brisbane Broncos and rumours of a switch to the Michael Maguire-led club had been swirling, but the diminutive playmaker will now remain with the Tricolours until 2027.
“It’s getting closer,” Walker told Nine News.
“I’m sure there will be some stuff that comes out soon. I’m looking forward to it.”
As it stands Chad Townsend and Sandon Smith will start 2025 as Trent Robinson’s first-choice halves pairing, with Walker likely to miss the first half of the season and Luke Keary joining Catalans Dragons. Smith was in the headlines for the wrong reasons last week after an off-field incident.
The Roosters could be facing a difficult campaign after the departures of several other key players in Joseph Manu, Joseph Suaalii – both to rugby union – as well as enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, who’s joined Hull in the English Super League.
Ryles continues clean-out with Sivo off to Super League
Jason Ryles’ clean-out at Parramatta has continued with star winger Maika Sivo sealing an early release to leave with three years left on his contract.
Sivo had been told he was free to look elsewhere by the new coach and he will link up with former mentor Brad Arthur in the Super League at Hull KR.
The 31-year-old Fijian international, who is in camp with the Bati for their Pacific Bowl campaign, scored 104 tries in 115 appearances for the Eels since joining them from Penrith’s lower grades in 2019.
Sivo joins Reagan Campbell-Gillard, who has switched to the Gold Coast, on the way out the Eels’ exit door while skipper Clint Gutherson has also been informed he is free to leave from the final year of his contract if he secures a better deal elsewhere.
Parra have also lost young guns Blaize Talagi to Penrith and Ethan Sanders to Canberra but have recruited Dragons international Zac Lomax, Panthers fullback Isaiah Iongi and Rabbitohs back-up half Dean Hawkins.
They have also added Bulldogs prospects Joash Papalii and Jordan Samrani as part of their new-look squad for 2025.
Mam set to face independent verdict
Broncos five-eighth Ezra Mam is set to be the first NRL player to face a new independent body which will act as the judiciary for off-field incidents.
Mam faces the possibility of being sacked by the club after he allegedly failed a roadside drug test on Friday when a ute he was driving collided with a vehicle driven by an Uber driver in Brisbane. The driver, a female passenger and her daughter were all injured in the crash.
The 21-year-old has checked into a rehabilitation clinic to seek professional help but he is yet to be formally charged by Queensland Police.
His $4 million contract which runs until the end of 2029 hangs in the balance although the Broncos are likely to fine him and suspend him from the start of next season.
The NRL Integrity Unit in the past has dished out sanctions to players in such matters but the governing body is finalising a new system for off-field matters in which an independent legal representative will propose punishments.
This system will allow the NRL to be at arm’s length from player punishments, according to a Sydney Morning Herald report, but the new body would use the existing matrix set up by the Integrity Unit to determine the severity of fines and bans, including the controversial no fault, stand-down rule.
New coach Michael Maguire flew into Brisbane on Wednesday and straight into a media scrum where he was asked if Mam would be fired.
“I am not going to touch on that at the moment,” Maguire said.
“I have got to go through everything and … assess what is going on.
“I have only just landed but I will definitely find out how one of our players gets to that point.
“I have got to find out more about what the situation entails. I have spoken to him and it is more about the safety of everyone involved in the situation.”
Maguire said redemption was possible for Mam, on one condition.
“I have been in the game a long time and I have seen many players go through many situations. You learn a lot of lessons in your life as young men,” he said.
“I am not downgrading this situation but it is one where we really need to have a look at … how he ended up getting in that situation.”
with AAP
The Roarhttps://https://ift.tt/nz5AS42 News: Roosters star set to extend, Eels seal deal for star to leave three years early, Mam set to face new off-field judiciary
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