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Walker reveals brains behind goal kicking

3 minute read

Roosters kicker Sam Walker has tapped into a wealth of goal kicking knowledge to become more accurate with the boot in the NRL.

SAM WALKER of the Roosters.
SAM WALKER of the Roosters. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Roosters sharp-shooter Sam Walker has a fair encyclopedia of knowledge in his corner when it comes to goal-kicking in the NRL.

He booted five from five in the 22-14 win over the Warriors as the SCG, as well as scoring a try, as they improved to 4-2.

Walker is pleased he is able to keep adding the extras as the Roosters find their feet in attack this season.

"It was good to be able to knock a few over - I think I owe the boys a few that I've missed in the past," Walker said.

"I'm taking a little bit more time. You could probably see out there today how I took longer to make sure the ball is where I want to be.

"Earlier I didn't take as much time to focus on where the ball is being aimed. I've felt more confident in the past two weeks."

Walker struck three from three in the 24-20 win over the Broncos a week ago and puts a lot of his new-found accuracy down to his work with Roosters' NSW Cup and assistant NRL coach Jason Taylor.

He booted 942 goals in 276 games for Western Suburbs, North Sydney and Parramatta.

There's also Walker's father Ben, who landed 300 goals in 135 games with the Broncos, Manly and South Sydney.

"Jason is a great goal kicking coach here at the Roosters and my old man as well - he's helped a lot two. Those two have laid a pretty good platform for myself," Walker said.

The Dally M Rookie of the Year last season has only played 27 games in the NRL, but has bulked up in size a little over the pre-season and is relishing being able to chance his hand in attack more often.

"I'm definitely feeling a bit more confident taking on the line this year. I feel a lot stronger and even though I'm only 19 and still growing with my body I think the extra games I'm playing now - I'm getting close to 30 (NRL games) - is giving me extra confidence," he said.

Warriors coach Nathan Brown praised a few of his own young players at the SCG on Sunday, including fullback Reece Walsh, who is just 24 days younger than Walker.

"Some of the stuff Reece is able to do is because he sees the game naturally quite well and adapts to situations quite well - you don't need to over-coach Reece that's for sure," Brown said.

"He's working hard on the defensive part of his game, and his effort areas there, and he's getting a lot better at that.

"We had a lot of young blokes out there today - like Eli Katoa (21) and Taniela Otukolo (19). Those kids were playing a pretty good footy club out there in the Roosters and showed some good signs of improvement, which is what we need for our club to move forward."

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