League great Wally Lewis believes Roosters star Sam Walker could potentially be the long-term answer at halfback for the suddenly cashed-up Brisbane Broncos.
Kevin Walters’ side is flush with salary cap space with the impending departures of Herbie Farnworth and Thomas Flegler to the Dolphins from next season, and are believed to be in the hunt for an eventual successor to skipper Adam Reynolds.
The Broncos were also briefly linked with David Fifita before the Titans star signed a contract extension to remain in the Gold Coast for another three years.
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Walker, 20, was a Broncos junior before he signed with the Roosters in 2019 and has blossomed into one of the NRL’s best young halfbacks, scoring 15 tries in 47 appearances for the Tricolours.
After league great Andrew Johns last week urged the Broncos to search far and wide for the best young halfbacks in the game, Lewis suggested they go after Walker.
“I think he’s one of those guys who just keeps getting better every year,” he told Wide World of Sports’ QLDER.
“He’s not a guy that demands the ball every time, he probably will the more experienced he becomes.
“I’d be very surprised if in time he doesn’t start heading back to Brisbane.”
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Broncos legend and current director Darren Lockyer made no secret of the fact that the filling the halfback position was one of the club’s priorities moving forward.
“To win premierships you’ve got to have a good No.7,” he told QLDER.
“I think they’re so critical to your performance. You only have to look at the last two premiership winners (with) Nathan Cleary.
“Adam Reynolds has made a huge difference to the Broncos because he can control a game with his kicking and his mindset.
“They’re scarce and I think finding a replacement for Adam Reynolds is definitely on the radar.”
Walker was born in the UK when his Australian father, Ben Walker, played for the Leeds Rhinos in the Super League.
The Walker family relocated back to Australia in 2003 and settled in Ipswich, where he was raised.
Walker recently signed a two-year contract extension to remain at the Roosters until the end of the 2025 season.
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