As the NRL finals draw just two weeks away, the Sydney Roosters have been handed a devastating potential season-derailing blow, after star halfback Sam Walker exited Saturday’s clash against the Dolphins with a serious ankle injury that casts major doubt over his availability for the post-season.
The incident unfolded in the second half of the 26-12 away win for the Dolphins at Allianz Stadium, when Walker’s left foot became trapped awkwardly during a tackle from Dolphins forward Kulikefu Finefeuiaki. The playmaker had to be escorted from the pitch by club trainers, and will now undergo urgent scans to confirm the full extent of the damage.
Leading NRL physiotherapy experts have warned that the nature of the injury mechanism raises significant red flags: a syndesmosis tear is a likely outcome given how the foot was forced outward under tackler contact, while a fibula fracture cannot be ruled out due to the force of the collision. No penalty was awarded for the tackle, but the outcome of Walker’s scans could go down as one of the most pivotal moments of the 2026 NRL season.
For the Roosters, the timing could not be worse. Just a few weeks after upsetting reigning premiers Penrith to cement their status as legitimate title favorites, back-to-back home losses have put their top-four Finals position in serious jeopardy. Walker, who is set to hit the free agency market on November 1 where he is expected to draw record-breaking contract offers, has been a cornerstone of the Roosters’ 2026 form.
If Walker is sidelined long-term, coach Trent Robinson will turn to replacement halves Hugo Savala, who would partner veteran playmaker Daly Cherry-Evans. The club is also pinning its hopes on a timely return from try-scoring winger Daniel Tupou, who has been sidelined with a shoulder injury; a comeback from Tupou would allow Billy Smith to shift to left centre, opening up a spot in the halves for Savala. The Roosters face another minor injury concern after NSW hooker Reece Robson was pulled from the pitch in the game’s final minute.
The Roosters’ injury drama overshadowed a sixth consecutive win for the Dolphins, a statement performance that has cemented their push for a maiden top-four finish in franchise history. The Dolphins are not without their own problems heading into the final round, however: key forward Kurt Donoghoe faces a nervous wait over potential disciplinary charges after shoulder-charging Roosters captain James Tedesco in the head. The incident did not result in a sin bin, but two of Donoghoe’s teammates were sent off in a chaotic seven-minute second half stretch: Morgan Knowles was binned for a dangerous tackle on Robert Toia, while Tom Flegler was sin-binned for repeated rule breaches and placed on report for a dangerous crusher tackle.
Saturday’s result exposed deep flaws for a Roosters side that looked unbeatable just a month ago. The home side got off to a strong start, with Tedesco setting up Robert Toia for the game’s opening try, but failed to mount consistent attacking pressure until the Dolphins were reduced to 11 players after the double sin-binning. A late try from Salesi Foketi briefly raised hopes of a comeback, but those hopes were dashed immediately after when Hugo Savala dropped a simple pass with an unmarked try line in front of him, ending any chance of a last-minute turnaround.
The Roosters now face a do-or-die final round clash against the Rabbitohs: a win will lock in their top-four spot, while a loss will allow the Sharks to overtake them on the ladder. For the Dolphins, the win sees them climb over the Roosters into third position on the ladder, with a powerful performance that confirms their status as genuine title contenders. Standout players for the visitors included Kodi Nikorima, who notched two crucial try assists, and left winger Selwyn Cobbo, who scored a double, including one off a perfectly executed scrum play that capped off a dominant team performance.