The Sydney Roosters’ 2024 National Rugby League (NRL) premiership aspirations now hang in the balance, as the club confirms star halfback Sam Walker underwent successful surgery on a severe syndesmosis injury to his left foot this past Sunday – while leaving the door ajar for a potential comeback before the end of the current season. The injury unfolded during the team’s round 26 clash against the Dolphins, when Walker was brought down in a tackle by Dolphins forward Kulikefu Finefeuiaki in the 53rd minute of play. Clearly in severe pain, the playmaker was unable to leave the pitch under his own power, requiring assistance from training staff to exit the field, and the match ended in a costly defeat for the Roosters. In the wake of the injury and back-to-back poor results, the Roosters have dropped two places in the NRL ladder standings, sliding from first position to fourth over just two weeks. Even with the loss and Walker’s unexpected injury, however, the club has already secured a top-four finish in the regular season, a result that guarantees them a second chance via the semi-finals knockout structure in September. That safety net does little to soften the impact of Walker’s absence, though: the Roosters’ long-held title ambitions are overwhelmingly dependent on the young star recovering fast enough to be cleared for game action before the end of the 2024 campaign. In the immediate lead-up to the team’s upcoming match against South Sydney Rabbitohs, utility back Hugo Savala has shifted into the halfback position, a role he is widely expected to retain for the upcoming fixture. In an official public statement confirming the injury and procedure, the Sydney Roosters outlined the next steps for Walker’s recovery. “Sydney Roosters halfback Sam Walker sustained a syndesmosis injury during the club’s round 26 NRL match against the Dolphins,” the statement read. “Walker underwent surgery on Sunday and will work closely with the club’s medical and rehabilitation staff towards a return to play as his recovery allows.” Team representatives and Walker’s teammates are scheduled to address assembled media on Monday afternoon to deliver an additional, more detailed update on the playmaker’s recovery timeline and progress. The injury has sent immediate ripple effects through the NRL title race, with experts and fans now debating how Walker’s potential absence – or a limited, late return – could shift the dynamics of the upcoming finals series.
‘Return to play’: Sam Walker undergoes surgery as Roosters star races clock to play again this year
