Walker’s heavy burden to shoulder

SAM Walker has been Trent Robinson’s matchwinner several times already, but the Sydney Roosters coach is tightlipped on how the star rookie will be used in their semi-final against Manly on Friday.

With Sam Verrills suspended, Robinson will call on Ben Marschke to start at hooker against the Sea Eagles but he refused to rule out throwing Walker or halfback Lachlan Lam into dummy-half.

“We’ll see. I probably don’t want to go into that. I’ll leave my interchange model for tomorrow night,” Robinson said.

“Hookers are a bit like wicketkeepers in cricket – they set the tone for how everybody else around them is. It’s a really important role and Benny has a great hooker temperament.”

Walker (pictured) said regardless of f what role Robinson gave him, he was ready to take on the challenge.

Just like last Saturday night when, after sitting on the bench for 71 minutes, Walker came on to slot the winning field goal for a second time this season against Gold Coast.

“I’m not too sure what my role will be on the day but I know whatever role I’m sort of thrown into, I really look forward to it and I’m ready to embrace whatever position I end up playing in,” Walker said.

Walker’s game-breaking introduction to finals football is even more impressive given the teen sensation’s sometimes painful journey to the NRL over the last 18 months.

As well as battling through the mental impact of the pandemic last season, Walker has had to manage several shoulder injuries during that time.

He had to be needled for his debut in round 4 after copping a knock to the left shoulder the week before in NSW Cup playing for North Sydney Bears.

It was the same shoulder that underwent a reconstruction in November 2019.

Then Walker hurt his right shoulder against the Titans in round 14, when booted a match-winning field goal.