Opinion
Why Sam Walker is the new Alfie Langer, and the next Maroons No.7
Andrew Johns
League columnistIf I had to pay money every weekend just to watch Sam Walker play, I would. There has never been a player so similar to Alfie Langer.
While we are all marvelling at Daly Cherry-Evans trying to lead Queensland to another State of Origin series win next week, there’s no doubt in my mind Walker is next in line to take over the Maroons No.7 jumper. I suspect Cherry-Evans will play one more year, and then hand it to Walker in 2026.
The likeness to Alf is probably no fluke. Sam’s dad, Ben, coached him for most of his career, and Ben played alongside Alf when the maestro was in his final years. It’s not hard to see where the inspiration comes from.
Sam’s short-kicking game is the best we’ve seen since Langer. He can grubber on any tackle, off either foot and from several angles. You only had to watch the clinic he put on against the Dragons last week, setting up tries for Victor Radley and Angus Crichton, to understand what a special talent he is.
He’s taking advantage of a trend in the modern game, which has most teams defending with the fullback in the line and just one marker when they’re pinned inside their own 20-metre zone. Walker is as good as anybody at exposing a fullback slightly out of position or not quick enough to cover.
He’s instinctive and plays on the edge, which brings mistakes. But the thing I love most is he doesn’t care. He forgets the mistake as soon as he’s made it. That’s a quality James Maloney was famous for.
Sam Walker and the Roosters celebrate a try.Credit: Getty
We know he has to keep working on his body in the gym. I’m not sure many teams have been able to target him in defence this year, but it will come.
Regardless, I would put my hand in my pocket to see him do his thing. He’s a special talent.
Dolphins are sinking
I’m worried about the Dolphins.
They’ve had a fantastic year so far, but looking at their draw for the rest of the season, it’s hard to see them making the finals. They play only a couple of teams outside the top eight before the end of the season, and one of them is the Broncos. It hardly screams they’re going to make their first finals appearance.
Thursday night is massive game for them against the Rabbitohs, who are making a late run at the finals.
Latrell Mitchell is a huge loss for South Sydney, and I’d go as far as to say it’s a 12- to 14-point difference for them. That’s how important he is to the side.
But the credit for Souths’ turnaround has to be shared across a lot of people, most notably their forward pack. They were off the pace at the start of the year, but they’ve had a huge attitude shift in the past six weeks.
Just watch their scramble defence and you can see the difference. While Cameron Murray is in State of Origin camp, I can see them doing enough to cover his absence.
I think the winning team will have to score at least 24 points. Ball movement will be a feature, and it has the possibility to offer plenty of points.
Jack Bostock looks a super athlete and his return is a big boost to the hosts. He’s tough to beat in the air and I wouldn’t be surprised if he became a representative player.
The two fullbacks – Jye Gray and Trai Fuller – have to be the smallest players in the NRL. But what they lack in size, they more than make up for in pure speed.
Latrell Mitchell embraces his No. 1 replacement Jye Gray.Credit: Steve Siewert
It seems to be a bit of a trend across the game, with Gold Coast’s Keano Kini and Melbourne’s Sua Fa’alogo also small players with big futures.
This game will come down to who capitalises on half chances and scrambles the best. There is not much between the teams.
Joey’s tip: Dolphins by 6
First try-scorer: Alex Johnston
Man of the match: Kodi Nikorima
The defence (never) rests
It will come as no surprise that when I watch rugby league, the majority of the time I’m doing it through the lens of how teams attack. It’s what I love about the game, and studying how playmakers try to undo a defence is fascinating.
Last Friday, I was sitting at home and watched the defence of the Panthers very closely. I was blown away by it and the system they use: how fit they were, how much effort goes into it, how quickly they move, the physicality in each tackle. It was phenomenal.
The Broncos managed just one try, a piece of individual brilliance from Reece Walsh. That was it. They didn’t really look like scoring apart from that.
It staggers me how they can transition from an attack-minded game one week to being more defence minded the next. They don’t miss a beat – and Nathan Cleary is still injured.
I’ve been spruiking the Broncos’ chances of winning the title all year, but I’ve got to jump off now. To me, there are two main contenders: the Panthers and Roosters. The Storm are still in the mix, but they need to get Cameron Munster back.
When you consider the representative players the Panthers have lost in the past few years – Matt Burton, Kurt Capewell, Viliame Kikau, Api Koroisau, Stephen Crichton and Spencer Leniu – it’s a phenomenal effort from coach Ivan Cleary. They’re an extraordinary club.
Watch State of Origin exclusively Live and Free on Channel 9 & 9Now
Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.