Walker has proven himself time and time again that he is a liability and obviously the club isn't worth it. Best to go and spend that money on a decent hooker.
i agree Walker tends to be a liability when he is unavailable because of his off field behaviour issues.
Problem is, the liability issues also come about, because of his time when he is not the field, and his positive impact is missing.
In recent years Manly has struggled when one of our best back line players, Turbo, DCE...and Walker, have been absent, because we have had no one who fills those positions anywhere near as effectively as they do. Manly struggled in the backline terribly this year because we had no Turbo and Walker. Before they were injured, we were at least competitive. When they were injured, we collapsed.
Walker is a mixed bag no question, given his behaviour off the field. But when he's on the field, he is one of our three most important backline components. Without him Manly is less effective in the backline.
So the issue is not just getting rid of Walker, its finding someone of that quality on the field to replace him.
Schuster looks likely to be a one of those types of players who makes a difference. But at this stage none of the centres we have are at that level to make a difference. Suli, Harper, Funa show elements of moving up a level but not yet. Burbo may in a year or so. Parker is just a good defensive centre who tries hard.
If Manly is to move effectively back into the final 8, we need a player of Walker's skill. Until then, our backline may struggle. Annoys me certainly when Walker does stupid things in his personal life, that interfere with his role on the field. But, unless we get a quality centre now or one of our present stock suddenly rises to that level over the summer, I believe we cannot afford to let him go for the 2021 season We need someone who can do what he can do on the field.
