Improving Walker sets sights on Anzac Day

Roosters playmaker Sam Walker is looking forward to his second Anzac Day appearance for the Tricolours after making his mark in the fixture last year as an 18-year-old in his fourth NRL game.

Walker scored one try, set up another and kicked five goals in a 34-10 win over the Dragons last year.

Having barely stepped off the field from guiding the Roosters to a comeback round six win over the Warriors on Easter Sunday, Walker was already eyeing off a chance to play in another of the cherished fixtures.

"I was just saying to (Roosters operations manager) Cathy King how I excited I am to play next week now as well, I'm really looking forward to that game," Walker said.

"You pencil it in every year and the atmosphere is unbelievable and I'm really looking forward to next Monday.

"It's a really special day, the whole ceremony and what we're representing and the day itself is such a special day.

"I'm really looking forward to the atmosphere and the Roosters fans getting back out here to the SCG, it's a historic ground itself and to be able to play the game at this ground just makes it even more special."

It will be consecutive weeks of special occasions at the SCG, after this year's squad honoured the 2002 premiership-winning team on Easter Sunday. The Warriors threatened to spoil the party but it was Walker to the rescue in the second half, scoring a crucial try and knocking over five goals from as many attempts to ensure the victory.

"We're building; I still have a lot I want to work on," Walker said of his performance.

"I haven't been too happy with the start of the season, I still want to keep building and happy with the way we're going but we definitely need to work on the first 20 and not let so many points in early."

Of his try, he did admit to feeling more confident in taking on the line this year with a full season's experience and a few extra kilograms on his side.

"I feel a lot stronger and more confident. I'm still only 19 so I'm still growing. Those extra games, I'm pushing up around 30 now so definitely getting more confident week in week out," he added.

His efforts also drew praise from coach Trent Robinson.

"In attack he's very strong," Robinson said.

"His ability to twist and turn – that was a really nice play to get out to 14-8.

"I like the way he's playing the six role. I like the fact that he's taking opportunities, seizing moments, he's not shy. He's enjoying playing the game and he's using his vision to play those moments."

Another eye-catching feature of Walker's performances over the past fortnight in particular – in which he has slotted eight goals from as many attempts, many from the sideline and most of them crucial to the match situation – is his newfound confidence off the tee.

Walker said there was no real secret other than a summer of hard work with some guidance from Roosters goal-kicking coach Jason Taylor – once the game's highest ever point-scorer – and his own father Ben, who slotted 300 goals for the Broncos, Northern Eagles, Sea Eagles and Rabbitohs.

"It was good to be able to knock a few over, I probably owed the boys a fair few goals that I've missed over the last year or so, so it was good to kick a few today," Walker laughed.

"I'm just taking that little bit more time. I think you could see out there (against the Warriors), I was taking a little bit longer to make sure the ball was where I wanted it to be."

It's not just an improvement from last season, in which he struggled with 23 goals from 48 attempts at barely over 50% - it's a marked improvement from the opening month of this season, in which he hit eight goals from 15 attempts.

"Earlier in the season I wasn't aiming where I wanted to be aiming so just taking a bit more time to focus on where the ball is aiming and I've definitely felt more confident the last two weeks," Walker added.