LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
Brisbane Broncos' Failed $60 Play Costs Them Shot at Signing Sam Walker
Sam Walker, the rising star in the rugby league world, has all but slammed the door shut on a potential return to his childhood club, the Brisbane Broncos.
Walker recently disclosed that he was on the brink of committing to a two-year deal with the Roosters, leaving Broncos fans disappointed.
However, it seems that the Broncos may have sabotaged their chances of securing the talented halfback back in 2019.
During the intense bidding war for Walker's signature, both the Broncos and the Roosters were eager suitors, with even Wallabies scouts keeping a close eye on the young player's progress from his school rugby days at Ipswich Grammar.
Ultimately, it was the Roosters who won him over, thanks in part to a seemingly minor incident involving the Broncos.
In a pivotal meeting with the Broncos, Walker, who was still a student at the time, was asked to attend without his parents present.
To make matters worse, the teenager, who didn't yet have a driver's license, was left to fend for himself, resorting to an Uber ride from Ipswich to Red Hill.
In stark contrast, the Roosters rolled out the red carpet, flying Walker and his parents to Sydney for a more welcoming and accommodating experience.
As reported by The Courier Mail, Walker felt the support and environment at the Roosters made his decision to spurn the Broncos an obvious one.
It just goes to show that in the high-stakes world of sports recruitment, every decision and detail, no matter how seemingly insignificant, can make or break a deal.
And for the Broncos, their $60 mishap may have cost them a rising rugby league star.