There’s plenty out there who have taken pot shots at Roosters halfback Sam Walker for his defensive work.
Chief among them might well have been his coach, Trent Robinson, who famously banished the young gun from the top grade earlier this year to work on his tackling.
It means a lot, then, when the coach described his showing in Friday night’s derby win over South Sydney as “possibly his best defensive performance in the NRL”.
Walker was relentlessly targeted by the Bunnies’ left edge, widely regarded as one of the best in the comp, but held up to the onslaught with a perfect record of 20 tackles made, zero missed.
“That’s the first time in my career!” joked Walker.
“I’m stoked, it’s something I work on continuously. We knew they had a dangerous left edge attack and where they were going to come.
“We had a younger team out there, on our edge especially, and the boys really stood up and helped me with that.
“There was a bit to be worked on there. It’s awesome to be back playing footy again and being back in this team.”
Robinson praised his defence, and added that it empowered his halfback to put on the best of his attack.
“He supported, pushed the team around, kicked the team into good positions and then he does his bits on the back of it,” said the coach.
“The long pass, the cut back inside, the try at the end, the combination play on the short side – he’s got all that top end stuff. That was as complete a game as he’s got to, and he’s got so much more in him.”
Walker backed himself to play that style of footy, but passed the glory onto his teammate Luke Keary, with whom he has quickly rekindled his partnership.
“I’m not the best structured footballer, but if I can my little bit of the way I play into the game, that’s my job and what I have to do and the role I play in the team,” said the Queenslander.
“He (Keary) has been awesome, he’s playing unbelievable footy at the moment. Any time there’s a big moment, he’s all over it. He’s a big game player and that’s why he’s been at the top of the game for such a long time. Stepping back in, he’s giving me a great deal of confidence.
“We’ve spent a lot of time together, it’s been pretty easy. Once you’ve played as many games as we have together, it’d be over 30 NRL games easily now, you just step back in and get going.
“I’ve spent a lot of time watching how the boys have been playing. I don’t try to change too much, just step in and play my natural game. Lucky it came off tonight.”
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
I wouldn't. I would have given Blake Taaffe a shot at HB already. Taaffe brings a lot of energy, 100% commitment and decent skill. But Ilias is a far better defender. Hawkins isn't an option either. Souths need to look elsewhere for another HB. Short-term they may have to play Wighton in the halves with Walker.
Tony Dargon
Roar Guru
Hard to say, but perhaps we'll see Walker at 7 and Wighton at 6 next year?
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Do you think that South’s will persist with Ilia’s long term?
Tony Dargon
Roar Guru
You can thank Solly for no Reyno. The same genius who wanted to move Alex Johnston on, and who signed Wighton for 4 years.
Poss
Roar Rookie
Yep Sammy is a great little player,hopefully we'll have him for many more years to come,fingers crossed.. Better luck next year GB.. :thumbup:
Poss
Roar Rookie
Was you the reporter Mike? :happy:
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Sam Walker was simply brilliant. Pity we couldn't have arranged an early season trade between Lachlan Ilias (the Greek Trojan horse) and Sam "the whizz kid" Walker. Souths would have been playing in the finals if they had. Better still, if they had kept Adam Reynolds they would have 23 premierships by now.
Wheelchair
Roar Rookie
Full credit to the boys but Im blown away that Cam Murray was dumped on his neck with the tackler hands between his legs and not a send off or sin bin. Time and time again the league talks tough about player safety, what will take another Alex?
The Barry
Roar Guru
You could make a convincing argument that was Walkers best game in first grade, not just best defensive game The Roosters could make things difficult for teams in the semis…
Mike Meehall Wood
Editor
Haha which reporter? :happy:
andrew
Roar Rookie
Not to mention that brilliant pass to his winger who scored.
Poss
Roar Rookie
Absolutely Cackle!!! Robbo is one of the greatest coaches ever & more to the point the boys seem to love him & as a fan thats all you can hope for.. I love watching Robbo in press conferences he is always so considerate & will answer all questions asked of him there are no 'hissy fits' & sulking like other 'certain coaches'.... I hope we have him for many,many more years... I just think Sammy misses out sometimes on the praise but maybe it's a bit of tough love? But love ya Robbo..
Cackle
Roar Rookie
Robbo is one of the calmest coaches I can recall. The polar opposite of a certain coach whose team plays in lime green.
Poss
Roar Rookie
Sammy is & will be a great player,right from the get go he's shown maturity & knowledge of the game,I love watching him but on edge worrying about his little frame getting hurt.. For some reason I feel Robbo doesn't give him as much credit/praise as he deserves after games...Last night he did but only when he was asked by a reporter..
Cackle
Roar Rookie
Walker reminds me so much of Alfie langer. When he charged the ball down & kicked it forward, most players would have just fallen on the ball. You can't coach "instinctiveness" in a player. Perfect foil for keary.