Sam Walker's first NRL test was his debut, and then four games later he handled the emotion of Anzac Day at the SCG as good as anyone ever has before. The 18-year-old halfback was awarded the Spirit of Anzac Medal for steering the Sydney Roosters to a commanding 34-10 victory over St George Illawarra in front of 37,620 people in one of the biggest events on the NRL calendar. Scoring a try and setting up another for Nat Butcher, at one stage the bold teen kicked on zero tackle when he spotted space for Brett Morris on the opposite edge. It's the kind of confidence and skills that defies his limited NRL experience, which is exactly what the Roosters need in a halfback with Luke Keary sidelined for the season. "You don't know what NRL is going to do to somebody when they first start," coach Trent Robinson said after the game. "They often play junior or reserve grade footy a certain way and they get on there and it doesn't quite happen because the time and speed of the game and the pressure that's involved. "He's been able to handle the pressure ... leading into a game he's really calm. "He watches so much footy and he has a big knowledge base but he can put that into a free-flowing game. "He can get rid of the noise that people carry and just play. Our job is to not get in his way." Walker's ability to get the Roosters home against the Dragons became even more important after skipper James Tedesco was ruled out for the second half.
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