Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson has revealed his “frustrations” with the commentary around Sam Walker following a breakdown in negotiations over a contract extension — but his disappointment with the situation is clear for all to see.
Walker is set to depart the NRL powerhouse at the end of 2027 after chairman Nick Politis pulled out of talks when the premiership-winning halfback sought an upgraded contract extension.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Trent Robinson issues emphatic Sam Walker statement live on Channel 7
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The week since has been filled with a back-and-forth over Walker’s side of the negotiations — and whether he could be released immediately.
Robinson is emphatic both that Walker will play for the Tricolours in 2027 and that, as Politis has already flagged, there is no coming back.
“A part of it is (just business),” Robinson said on Channel 7’s Rugby League World Cup coverage on Friday night.
“On Monday you have the negotiations, you think it’s going to go one way and it doesn’t. We wanted to sign Sam and we couldn’t get it done and that’s the business side of it.
“Probably from Tuesday onwards it’s been a bit frustrating around the commentary around Sam and the way his character is and what he should’ve done.
“No one’s on a lifelong contract. He’s signed until the end of next year. He’s a great guy. He’s really personable, everyone loves him, and he just didn’t want to sign for ‘28 on.
“It’s pretty simple and we’ve moved on. That’s the business part. I didn’t really like the character assessment of everybody during the week.”
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Trent Robinson is disappointed with Sam Walker’s looming exit from the Roosters. Credit: AAP Robinson further defended Walker’s character after what he said had been “normal” communications between manager and club.
“Sam and I don’t talk about contracts, we never have. It’s never been a part of our discussion. We talk about footy,” he said.
“There was going to be a time when we were going to chat, we’ve been close for a long time. I’ve known him since he was a kid, so so be it.
“That was the thing, the commentary around all of that was a bit too much for me.
“No one’s done anything wrong. No one’s a bad person in this. He didn’t want to sign, we wanted him to sign for an amount, and we couldn’t get it done.”
Pressed further on whether the Roosters gave Walker enough time, Robinson said the 24-year-old “did want more time”.
“But don’t forget we started middle of the year in negotiations,” he said.
“They pushed it back to after the season and we’re after the season and November 1’s coming and Sam was our biggest contract so therefore a lot of dominos have to fall after that and other players need to know as well.
“It was pretty clear in the timeline that we gave him. I’ve said before, these deals aren’t difficult. We’re not talking about is this the right club, am I going to develop in this club as a young player — it’s do I want to be here and is the money right? And we couldn’t get a deal done.”
The Roosters’ premiership celebrations soured quickly after Walker’s contract negotiations broke down. Credit: Getty As it sits right now, Walker will be at the Roosters next year.
North Queensland co-captain Tom Dearden has already rejected speculation that he could be willing to swap places with his Kangaroos teammate, declaring he is committed to the Cowboys.
Dearden had been linked with a move to Sydney because his partner has been based there, but he said on Friday she will soon join him in Townsville following the birth of their first child last week.
Despite that situation, Robinson believes Walker’s manager would have “had lots of calls in the last few days”.
“All of this starts to go. But Sammy’s a Rooster until the end of 2027 and then he’s off from ‘28 and that’s his decision,” he said.
Asked one more time if there is a backflip on the horizon, Robinson said: “No, Nick has made it pretty clear.”
“We were pretty clear in those negotiations. We knew what we wanted,” he added.
“No. It’s done there, the negotiations are done. Sam’s moved on and we’ve moved on. There’s no way to get a deal done after this.”