A sports science expert with more than three decades of experience in the industry has expressed concerns for Sam Walker ahead of his State of Origin debut.
Greg Blood, who spent more than 30 years at the Australian Institute of Sport, has spoken publicly about his worries for the young Queenslander’s physical health.
His comments have surfaced after reports emerged claiming Walker had taken painkilling injections for 22 straight weeks for a shoulder injury during his debut season in 2021.
‘He’s talented, brave and tough, no doubt about it,’ Blood told Nine News.
‘But athletes should not be playing if they rely on painkillers.
‘The health of the athlete should be paramount and the long-term effects of painkillers are still a bit of a grey area.’
A sports science expert has expressed fears about the long-term health of Queensland star Sam Walker (pictured)
The 23-year-old (pictured) had 22 painkilling injections during his debut NRL season so he could keep taking to the field
Walker (pictured) has endured a number of serious injuries
Blood has concerns about how long the Roosters star can keep copping the punishment that goes hand in hand with playing in the NRL.
‘Given that he is so much smaller than some of these guys who will be running at him and trying to hurt him, I have real fears about how long his career will last,’ he said.
An injury like Walker’s, which affected his AC joint, usually sees players miss up to six weeks of on-field action, but the 22 injections helped Walker through what was a baptism of fire.
Queensland coach Billy Slater has backed the 23-year-old after selecting him to play his first State of Origin match at Accor Stadium on Wednesday night.
Sam’s father Ben, who was a terrific player in his own right, has revealed more about his son’s difficulties during the 2021 season.
‘In Sam’s first NRL game, when he had just turned 18, he had done his AC joint the week before,’ Ben Walker said.
‘We didn’t really say too much to the club because he knew he was going to get his debut the next week.
‘So he got needled every single week that first year, and in one game he got a needle at halftime as well.’
