Roosters halfback Sam Walker has credited a clear goal, belief from his team and a hearty use of a hyperbaric chamber for his rapid return from a syndesmosis injury.
After going down in Round 26 against the Dolphins, there were fears he would miss the rest of the season, with the injury usually having a recovery period spanning 6-12 weeks.
However, Walker was able to return in 27 days to once again face the Dolphins, stepping up to mastermind a 36-20 preliminary final victory that sends the Roosters into a first decider since 2019.
“I haven't done a syndesmosis before and wasn't too sure on the recovery time and when it first happened, it's probably a bit of uncertainty around it all,” Walker said.
“But once I got a time frame and once I had the surgery, I was pretty clear and pretty focused on getting back to this game.
“I think you set a goal of getting back for the prelim and then from there, it's just each day working as hard as you can and preparing as much as you can to make sure you can put yourself in the best position to be able to do that.
“It was pretty disciplined (the rehab process) … for me, I'm pretty relaxed usually with everything I do and not too stressed out, but I think it's definitely the most I've spent on recovery and certain different things that I thought would help my ankle and give it the best possibility.
“It's all paid off and I'm stoked.
Sam Walker with a finals masterclass!
“Hyperbaric chamber I believe helped a fair bit for me there.
“Every time I was at home, I was icing and compressing as much as I could.
“Every day off I was in the club and making sure I get treatment and give myself the best possibility and saunas, ice baths, everything I could do that could get myself in a position I did.
“I'm really grateful for the staff and the medical team at the Roosters, they've done an amazing job helping me out and then also the club to believe in me to be able to play me.
“It was obviously a massive risk for them as well, so I'm just really grateful I could get the job done for them … and just really stoked for the boys, they've worked so hard the last month of without me there and I'm just really happy I can come out and do a job for them.”
The 16-point victory means the Roosters are back on the biggest stage once more, with their opponents the Knights confirmed with a dramatic victory over Penrith.
The Roosters last won the title in 2019 after defeating Canberra Raiders, with another Maroons star in the No.7 jersey in Cooper Cronk.
This year’s decider has also been perfectly set up to send another great Queenslander, Daly Cherry-Evans, out on a winning note in his last NRL match.
“I can't wait,” Walker said.
“It's going to be an exciting week, but none of that matters unless we go out there and perform for 80 minutes.
“His (Cherry-Evans) impact on the club's been enormous.
“The person he is, the energy he brings around the club is just infectious.
“We want to do him proud and send him off the right way.
“We've got an opportunity next Sunday to do that.”
Match: Roosters v Knights
Grand Final -
home Team
Roosters
4th Position
away Team
Knights
7th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
After 4 weeks of thrilling finals, it all comes down to this. One play can define a season. These are the moments that matter. Don't miss a second of the action with kick-off at 7.30pm Sunday night live on Nine, 9Now and Sky Sports NZ.
