Could Sam Walker end up at the Rabbitohs? Can the Raiders still keep Hudson Young?

October 28, 2026 — 5:00amSam Walker and Hudson Young were expected to extend their stays at the Roosters and Raiders respectively. However, the representative stars are poised to become free agents when the November 1 transfer window opens after their clubs sensationally withdrew their contract offers on Monday.The pair are sure to be among the most in-demand stars on the market, but where will they end up? We look at the potential destinations for two of the biggest names in rugby league.Sam Walker and Hudson Young.Getty ImagesSam WalkerNorth QueenslandThe rumour mill was in overdrive about the prospect of a Walker-Tom Dearden player swap. Those whispers are going to get louder. Dearden hasn’t asked for a release from the Cowboys, but there’s talk that a move to Sydney would suit his partner, who has just given birth to a girl. While many clubs couldn’t afford to immediately purchase a marquee man at this time of year, a straight swap could work for both parties.South SydneyWalker could be the missing piece required for the Rabbitohs to take the next step. The Bunnies desperately need a big halves signing, particularly given next year will be Cody Walker’s last. The club only has Jayden “Bud” Sullivan and Ashton Ward as genuine playmaking options. Signing Walker would set Souths up, and would be sweeter given he’d be switching to the Roosters arch rivals.BrisbaneStill haven’t settled on a long-term replacement for premiership-winning halfback Adam Reynolds. Jonah Pezet’s stocks have fallen after a disappointing stint at Parramatta, leaving Ben Hunt and Tom Duffy as options to partner Ezra Mam. The Broncos have just extended outstanding schoolboy prospect Calvin Harris-Tavita, but he is a five-eighth rather than the controlling No.7 the club needs. Walker slipped through the Broncos’ grasp when he was a teenager, but the club could now have an unexpected chance to bring him home. An opportunity for new recruiter Peter O’Sullivan to land a big name at Red Hill.PNG ChiefsNathan Cleary remains PNG’s top target, but Walker is an option should the Penrith champion and Titans young gun Zane Harrison stay put. Whether a halves pairing of Walker and Jarome Luai would work is a question the Chiefs are asking themselves.RoostersAppears to have burnt this bridge, with chairman Nick Politis not taking kindly to the financial demands that prompted the club to pull its offer. Walker may have played his last game for the Tricolours. However, premiership-winning Kangaroos halfbacks are hard to find, and perhaps a deal can be salvaged if the Walker camp returns, cap in hand, to the negotiating table.Perth BearsThe Bears are armed with a 20 per cent marquee salary cap allowance they have yet to activate for their first big name. Adding Walker to the Perth roster would be a game-changer for coach Mal Meninga.Rugby unionGiven Walker’s manager, Clinton Schifcofske, also has star clients in the 15-man code, like Max Jorgensen, Zac Lomax and Angus Bell, it’s an option that can’t be discounted. Walker was a schoolboy rugby star, playing flyhalf for the Ipswich Grammar first XV.Asked about Walker on Tuesday, Rugby Australia boss Phil Waugh said, “We are always open to talking to elite athletes with an interest in playing rugby”. Short-term deals have been done in the past with the likes of Lomax and Israel Folau.Waugh’s “open door” is a standard comment rolled out when asked about potential league recruits. Waugh said the same thing about Jarome Luai a day before he signed with the Chiefs, and insiders say there has been no contact with Walker’s camp.The chance to play in two World Cups across two codes could hold appeal for Walker, but he would need to take a massive pay cut to switch codes.Hudson YoungPNG ChiefsAppears to be the most likely destination for Young. Would have already toured the Chiefs’ set-up if not for the dramas over his real “market value”. Now Canberra have pulled their offer, there could be flexibility about what he is allowed to accept from PNG. The Chiefs have assembled a star-studded backline and acquiring arguably the world’s best back-rower would make a statement about their intentions for the engine room.CanberraThe Raiders felt they could do no more, failing to land Young’s signature even after discussing the prospect of a fifth year on his contract. It was a show of faith given the NSW forward’s Achilles injury, and the fact he would be 34 at the end of the deal. If things fall through with PNG, it could prompt Young and his management to come back to the table with Canberra. If that happens, negotiations may no longer be on Young’s terms.Perth BearsThe chase for a marquee player may lead the Bears to Young. Whether they would have the cash to splash on Young, when there are other rostering priorities, remains to be seen. Young would provide a point of difference, and leadership, to a club that missed out on the signature of Junior Paulo.OthersJeremiah Nanai (Cowboys), Liam Martin (Panthers), Briton Nikora and Teig Wilton (both Sharks), David Fifita (Rabbitohs), Brendan Piakura (Broncos), and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (Dolphins) are among the back-rowers poised to come off contract on November 1. If one or several leave their incumbent clubs, it could cause a chain reaction that results in Young be pursued by up to six clubs.News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.More:NRL 2026AnalysisCanberra RaidersSydney RoostersNRL player movementsFrom our partners