‘It’s on him’: Tedesco has his say on Walker’s future after bitter fallout at the Roosters

Roosters captain James Tedesco says the club must ensure Sam Walker is at Bondi in 2027 after speculation about his immediate future following a breakdown in contract negotiations.

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The Roosters sensationally pulled Walker’s three-year, multimillion-dollar extension last week after the halfback requested more money.

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It meant Walker would not be at the club following the 2027 season and there have since been rumours that he could walk now if he finds a new deal.

But Tedesco doesn’t want that to happen.

Speaking to Foxsports.com.au on Monday, Tedesco said Walker was essential to help the Roosters defend their title.

“I’m not sure what his future looks like, but I know for next year, we want him there because we need him,” Tedesco said.

“Sammy’s a big part of our team, he has been especially this year. The success of winning a premiership is a big part of that.

“After he leaves we can bring the young halves through because there’s definitely a bright future there with the young halves in the academy and I know we’re doing a good job there.”

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When he heard about Nick Politis’s decision to take Walker’s contract offer off the table, Tedesco didn’t even think about the club’s long-term future without the Queenslander.

He did what all good leaders do and put an arm around the 24-year-old.

“I guess, for me, last week was just about getting around Sammy and making sure he was okay and showing him some support,” Tedesco said.

“We wanted him to stay and they were going to try to work it out, but it just didn’t happen, and I guess that’s the business side of it.”

The Roosters fullback also offered to call his teammate to see if there was anything he could do to keep him at the club.

“I don’t think I can now. But I did offer that (last week). I said if we need to make some calls, I can help out however you want,” Tedesco told Newswire.

“That was our conversation, which I think is your responsibility as a captain and a teammate, not just to leave him out to dry. But with Nick and Robbo (Roosters’ coach Trent Robinson) that decision was made, so there’s not really much I can do about it.”

Tedesco said there wasn’t a plan for the players to get together in the pre-season to address the fallout between Walker and the club.

He’s certain it won’t affect the club’s ability to win the premiership, but losing Walker certainly will.

“There’s not really much to talk about, really. It’s not like it’s an ongoing thing,” Tedesco said.

“I think Nick (Politis) and Robbo (Trent Robinson) have been pretty clear about it and that’s it.

“So again, it’s on him (Walker) and what he’s going to do in the future.”

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Tedesco also addressed his future in the game as he too is on the open market and is able to negotiate with rival clubs for the 2028 season and beyond.

At this stage, the plan is to extend his deal at the Bondi club for an extra year and retire at the end of 2028.

“For the last nine years I’ve been a Rooster and I don’t think that’s going to change,” he said.

“That’s where I’m happy, at the Roosters, so I can’t really see myself at any other club and hopefully we can sort something out of it.”

He doesn’t think there will be huge offers from other clubs to lure him away from the Roosters at this stage of his career despite winning a Clive Churchill Medal last month.

“No-one wants a 33-year-old fullback,” Tedesco said.

“There’s a lot of young, fast outside backs out there, but it’s pretty wild (free agency period) and it’s going to be an interesting couple of months I reckon.”