In the bowels of Allianz Stadium last Friday night, after ground staff had unsuccessfully tried to drain the $828 million venue’s surface using pitchforks, Sam Walker was raving about the slop. Turns out, in Seinfeld parlance, this horse loves the slop. “Muddy, slippery, big puddles, personally, I love it,” Walker said having starred against Parramatta , a day after coach Trent Robinson had waxed lyrical about his growing relish for the “weight you have to carry” as a No.
7. In the same breath, Robinson mentioned that a halfback’s lot “comes with its rewards too.” Over the next few weeks and finals to follow, Walker’s looking at a seven-figure-and-change annual reward if he can take the Roosters to the grand final and/or deliver a title.
He’s one of several halves across the game stepping out from the shadow of illustrious teammates in career-best form. At Penrith, Jarome Luai’s $6 million, five-year move to the Tigers as their marquee signing gets another once over now that he’s taking charge again in Nathan Cleary’s place. Out of the shadows: Sam Walker, Jarome Luai and Luke Brooks lead a host of halves with plenty to play for in September.
Credit: Stephen Kiprillis Daniel Atkinson has steadied the Sharks since Nicho Hynes broke his leg and ruptured ankle ligaments, to the point there’s now a genuine question about where the unheralded utility fits when the Dally M winner returns. Luke Brooks was booed and not in the same suburb as his best form w.