'A better player': Walker sets Roosters goal on return

West Australian

2 days ago

Sydney Roosters half Sam Walker will make his rugby league return with a determination to become a better player than he was before an ACL injury cut him down.
Walker's close analysis of the play of Melbourne's halves has crystallised in his mind where that improvement can come.
The 22-year-old will play his first game since round 26 last year when he lines up for the Roosters' NSW Cup side against Parramatta at Kellyville Park on Sunday.
Walker, an influential and deep-thinking playmaker, has not just been diligent in rehab during his time out of the game. He's been watching other leading halves in the NRL and assessing what attributes he can add to his skill set.
"I think I can be a better player for sure," Walker told AAP.
"While sitting out I have been able to pick up on different trends in the game to learn more about myself and what I want to bring into my game. "I want to come back with a really strong running game. Kicking and passing I guess has been a strong attribute early in my career but I feel like the next step is my running game and I am really looking forward to putting that on show."I look at the Melbourne halves Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes. Their team is doing really well and it is on the back of them having that run-first attitude.
"Munster is always putting himself in a position where he can take the line on or impact a game. I feel like I can do that within my own style."It is about having the thought, training for it and working hard on it so it becomes second nature."
Walker is likely to have a 20-30 minute stint in NSW Cup with the aim to return to NRL after the Roosters have the bye this weekend. They will finish round 14 on the cusp of the top eight and in position to make a run for the finals.
Walker's return is right on schedule."There are so many ACLs in the NRL and you are always told that nine-month mark. To come back between round 13 and 15 was always the goal," Walker said."I wanted to be one hundred per cent and make sure my body is as good as it can be.
"We are in a really good position to go after this season. I want to make sure I am at my best so we can play at our best."
Walker said this teammates had been a great support and inspiration, with so many of them returning from similar injuries to his."We have had six or seven in our team that have gone through it. Egan Butcher is a good example," he said.
"Egan came back and played NRL (in round eight) and did his knee months before I did mine.
"I am following in behind him. It has been good to watch his progression because he is someone who trains really hard that I can look towards.
"Teddy (James Tedesco) had his early in his career and look where he has ended up.
"It is definitely not something that will set you back your whole career, that is for sure."