In a major coup for Todd Payten, there are multiple reports the North Queensland Cowboys have signed Tyson Walker, the younger brother of Sydney Roosters star Sam Walker.
The son of former Broncos, Sea Eagles and Rabbitohs utility Ben Walker, 18-year-old Tyson has been with the Roosters since 2024 and recently helped guide the Tricolours to the 2025 SG Ball title.
The Cowboys move comes as a minor surprise, especially following comments made by Ben Walker when Tyson first signed with the Roosters early last year.
“Tyson wants to play footy and with his brother, obviously he would love to play with Sam at the Roosters,” Ben Walker told The Daily Telegraph.
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“It’s certainly a possibility that he and Sam could be in the halves together, it would be great to see that.”
The young playmaker himself backed up his father’s comments earlier this season speaking with Zero Tackle.
“Sam has taught me a lot on the field and off the field,” Tyson said.
“That’s definitely the dream (to play with Sam).”
However it seems the current halves log-jam at the Roosters—together with rumours Daly Cherry-Evans will link with the Eastern Suburbs club in 2026—has forced the younger Walker to seek opportunities elsewhere.
With Sam Walker just 23 and Tyson barely a year out of high school, there’s still plenty of time for the duo to repeat the feats of their famous father and uncles in the 1990’s.
But for now it seems Tyson’s NRL dream of playing first-grade alongside his brother will need to wait.
Townsville is calling.
The Cowboys have also poached rising Roosters playmaker Tyson Walker, younger brother of Sam Walker.
— NRLCentral (@centralNRL) July 3, 2025
Tyson starred in the Roosters’ SG Ball premiership-winning side this year, but with a crowded halves room at Bondi, he’s opted to head north to join North Queensland.
(DT) https://t.co/2xWc6EyLx7 pic.twitter.com/WvV42rSKUX