Sam Walker moved closer to a remarkable return for the Sydney Roosters after taking part in training on Monday, just 23 days after undergoing surgery for a syndesmosis injury.
The 24-year-old joined his team-mates on the field at Allianz Stadium as the Roosters prepared for Friday’s preliminary final against the Dolphins, with more than 4,000 fans watching the Brisbane club train ahead of the clash.
Walker suffered the injury against the Dolphins in round 26 but told team-mates less than a week after the operation that he intended to play in the preliminary final if the Roosters remained in contention.
He trained in a pink rehabilitation bib last Thursday and again took part in Monday’s session. Roosters forward Victor Radley said Walker had appeared determined to meet his target.
“When Sammy walked in here, when I saw him about four days after he did it, he told us he’d play in this game. He hasn’t shied away from it,” Radley said.
“He trained against us on Thursday last week, and he was all I could see – he just kept picking us apart. In fairness, he was in a pink [rehab] bib, but as the session went on, a few of us were like, ‘Are we allowed hit this bloke?’ He was putting on a clinic. He was moving well.”
Hugo Savala has occupied Walker’s place in the halves alongside Daly Cherry-Evans during his absence, but is likely to move to left centre if Walker is selected. He would face NSW Origin representative Jack Bostock.
“I’ll be ready to go in whatever position I’m in,” Savala said. “We’ll get some clarity [on where I play] after the next couple of training sessions.”
Cherry-Evans and James Tedesco were rested from Monday’s session, while Angus Crichton was also left out after returning successfully from a foot injury at the weekend.
A Walker comeback would give the Roosters a fully fit squad for their trip north. The Dolphins are also at full strength, with Tom Flegler available after using the weekend off to recover from concussion.
The preliminary final is on course for a sell-out at Suncorp Stadium and will feature attacking threats including the Roosters’ Mark Nawaqanitawase and the Dolphins’ Herbie Farnworth and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.
