Sydney Roosters halfback Sam Walker has outlined why he intends to commit to the club long-term in coming weeks as he prepares to play for the Australian Prime Minister's XIII.
Walker is signed until the end of 2023 and can negotiate with clubs from November 1, but is not looking to shop around.
He wants to make a home at the Roosters in the same way retired premiership-winning legends Boyd Cordner and Jake Friend did.
So long as the feeling is mutual there is no need to leave.
"That is definitely the goal for me. I want to stay at the club," Walker said.
"I let my manager (Clinton Schifcofske) and old man (Ben Walker) look after that stuff but I am really keen on building on these last two years and seeing where we can go with the club.
"My focus is on the Prime Minister's game (against Papua New Guinea) but over the coming weeks hopefully I'll get that all sorted."
Walker was in the Brisbane Broncos system in his teens. Before he signed with the Roosters in 2019 he had a coffee with coach Trent Robinson and five-eighth Luke Keary. The attraction of the club crystallised in his mind.
"To hear how Robbo coaches and the philosophies he has was awesome to hear from a player like Keary," Walker said of his chat with his halves partner.
"When I sat down with Robbo the opportunity he presented at the Roosters was the best out of not just the Broncos, but all clubs I was looking at.
"I'm really happy with the decision I made. The Roosters have been awesome for me. I think it was just the opportunity to be able to play halfback. I could almost picture that pathway where I was heading and it was exciting for me."
Some players suffer from "second-year syndrome" but Walker backed up his Dally M Rookie of the Year award from last year with another cracking season.
"It was a lot harder in my first year," he said.
"My body was sore and battered and bruised and I remember walking out of the season going 'what the hell have I got myself into here?'
"This second year I've walked out of the season feeling just as good as I pretty much walked into it.
"My first year was definitely interesting because no-one knows who you are and so you come into the game with this fresh way of playing. The next year you have to back that up."
Walker was in Queensland's State of Origin extended squad for the series decider won by the Maroons. Now he is about to play with the PM's XIII in front of family and friends in his home state at Suncorp Stadium.
"Wearing the Australian jersey is something I looked forward to as a kid. My family are really stoked for me and can't wait to watch me run out."
