Walker thoughts 2022?

[40 nil]

Except for unavailable players, Des will likely select a similar 17 in Round One as played in last year's finals. To my understanding, he rates Walker very highly as a footballer & will always pick him in the 17 somewhere. Walker played very well at 14 last season, and no doubt, will continue to do so if selected there again this season.

The reason I would like to see Walker given the opportunity to play right centre again is because I think he is currently the best centre in the squad. He has more natural ability, attacking flair & speed (even at the ripe old age of 27) than the current centres. He was very successful from a young age, and in my opinion, could have developed into a top tier NRL player if not for his internal demons & untimely injuries. Because of his past, some people want to death ride him every time he takes the field. Over the last year, it appears his life has become stable & things have been properly turned around.

I don't know if others have noticed that Dylan constantly changes his 'look', i.e. his beard & hairstyle. My personal observation of people who do this is that they don't feel comfortable within themselves. Currently, Dylan has the clean shaven look (same as his first few years in the NRL) and I think this could be a sign of inner stability which hopefully, will translate into consistent high level performances on the field. Let's see if his outer appearance changes this season.

There doesn't seem to be much known about Walker's early life. From what he has said at different times, it appears he had a troubled upbringing. It is only conjecture, but maybe this is evidenced in these incidents involving his transgender sister, Jade.

Jade Walker: manslaughter charge dropped

Jade Walker: accused of brutal attack

 

[Tragic Eagle]

I just hope Des picks a competitive side for Saturday's trial. We need at least one of our regular halves to have a run and guide the side around the field. Turbo wont be risked so there's an opportunity for Koula and Weeks to impress. Now that the Schu is out for a while I wouldn't risk Foran before the comp starts so Walker and DCE are an option.

 

[Brookie Bob]

It's Des we are talking about here backs good trainers and likes the odd plodder. He a fan of Parker's

He's not the only one

Brad Parker - the 'quiet achiever' of the Sea Eagles

To his Manly team-mates, Brad Parker is one of the unsung heroes in the side.

www.seaeagles.com.au

 

[Eagle 1]

It's Des we are talking about here backs good trainers and likes the odd plodder. He a fan of Parker's

Every team needs a Parker, good defender, runs courageous lines and always puts his hand up for those tough carry's coming out of our 10 - 20m line.

 

[Rosko]

I just hope Des picks a competitive side for Saturday's trial. We need at least one of our regular halves to have a run and guide the side around the field. Turbo wont be risked so there's an opportunity for Koula and Weeks to impress. Now that the Schu is out for a while I wouldn't risk Foran before the comp starts so Walker and DCE are an option.

It's a certainty neither DCE nor Foran will play trials. They have nothing to prove and too much to risk.
Leaving us underdone for Round 1, as ever.

 

[winnyason]

Every team needs a Parker, good defender, runs courageous lines and always puts his hand up for those tough carry's coming out of our 10 - 20m line.

Mate absolutely, he likes unsung heroes and popular with group

 

[winnyason]

He's not the only one

Brad Parker - the 'quiet achiever' of the Sea Eagles

To his Manly team-mates, Brad Parker is one of the unsung heroes in the side.

www.seaeagles.com.au

Yeap very good friends with turbos

 

[40 nil]

Every team needs a Parker, good defender, runs courageous lines and always puts his hand up for those tough carry's coming out of our 10 - 20m line.

Agree, except that Brad doesn't usually make much ground rucking the ball out from his own end & regularly cops head high tackles for his efforts.

 

[Eagle 1]

Agree, except that Brad doesn't usually make much ground rucking the ball out from his own end & regularly cops head high tackles for his efforts.

And neither would any forward coming of the line, you're expected to get smashed no matter what, when the opp forwards gang up in tackles.

 

[40 nil]

And neither would any forward coming of the line, you're expected to get smashed no matter what, when the opp forwards gang up in tackles.

Somehow his height seems attract a lot of head shots. Also, players who are quick off the mark or who are strong with a lower centre of gravity tend to make more metres when rucking the ball out.

 

[Eagle 1]

Somehow his height seems attract a lot of head shots. Also, players who are quick off the mark or who are strong with a lower centre of gravity tend to make more metres when rucking the ball out.

You seem to be taking pot shots at Parkers courage 40nil, you're last sentence goes without saying, in most cases forwards coming back into the attack off the line usually take a little breather or are a little gassed, and rely on the Parkers to do the hard yards for them.

 

[40 nil]

You seem to be taking pot shots at Parkers courage 40nil, you're last sentence goes without saying, in most cases forwards coming back into the attack off the line usually take a little breather or are a little gassed, and rely on the Parkers to do the hard yards for them.

I am not taking potshots at all. I admire Parker's courage. I am just stating what I see when Parker rucks the ball. Actually, none of our three quarters make much ground doing this. Garrick however, started making more metres as the season progressed. Usually, the way we make good metres out of our end is when the ball is swung wide early. On these occasions, Parker has been involved in long raids upfield - some of which have resulted in tries.

 

[Waz13]

Extremely reasonable argument but I see Walker as our best 14 by a country mile. If he improves our centres it's only marginal. The only other options for 14 are Schuster and Lawton but they both leave us a little light for outside backs cover. Walker covers all positions bar prop, which he covers via pushing Jake to prop. I can't think of another player that offers this kind of flexibility.

Play him at 14 and if a Centre goes down put him there or anywhere else as backline cover. He can basically play anywhere in the backs and 9, lock, linkman. If he gets a shot at Centre and kills it there, then maybe that’s where he stays, but that would mean Lawman to 14. It’s a good problem to have. Oh I see @BOZO Has stoked the good ole Walker/Parker debate already and a balls not even kicked! There’s every chance Walker and Parker could be our starting centres this year. Who knows, tine will tell. And remember how we looked V Souths with Parker out and Moses in. Parker runs sone of the best lines in the nrl. He will start on one side.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Actually, none of our three quarters make much ground doing this.

A few times I've seen Saab keep pushing forward after contact. He looks so slim but that is deceptive, he is not small and should be even stronger this year.

 

[Fibro Eagle]

I believe Walker will be the 14 on game day
Des will stick with Harper and Parker
Injuries will determine whether there are changes to our centres
Then whoever gets in needs to take there opportunity cause I think that will be the only thing that will cause Des to make changes regarding the centre position

 

[StuBoot]

Agree, except that Brad doesn't usually make much ground rucking the ball out from his own end & regularly cops head high tackles for his efforts.

Which is a bonus, get the penalty and get an extra 20-30m.
You can't get much better than that, first tackle 40m out!

 

[rosco]

Isn't Walker a kiwi, so, can't play SOO then.

He played for Aust in Papua New Guinea a few years ago. Where he picked up his first major injury.

 

[StuBoot]

In Parker and Harper, we have others who can play effectively at centre, but not sure we have anyone else who can play that dynamic role off the bench. In fact if Walker continues to improve in that role he could be back in Origin, I think he's potentially a better bench player than Connor Watson.
If Parker or Harper get hurt or screw up, give Koula a go but leave Walker doing what he's been doing.

Agree, he really seemed to grow into the role last year to make it his own and rarely came off after going on, regularly playing 55-60 mins.
He's played centre, in the halves, fullback ( albeit averagely) and now that roving lock role.

With playing centre or 5/8 he's constrained by playing a particular side of the field and/or structure but with his #14 role he can take a bit of all those positions and use them as the plays evolve and is still quick enough to burn players in the middle.
It appears that DCE, Foz etc have faith in what he brings without taking away from their roles or overcalling, he's got a reasonable kick and his ball play has improved plus he knows he can get into the tough stuff in the middle and hold his own.

I'm with you @SeaEagleRock8, if he starts this season how he finished last year you'd think he'd be in the mix for an Origin bench role as he has a bit of the old school mug lair about him too.

 

[Eagle 1]

I am not taking potshots at all. I admire Parker's courage. I am just stating what I see when Parker rucks the ball. Actually, none of our three quarters make much ground doing this. Garrick however, started making more metres as the season progressed. Usually, the way we make good metres out of our end is when the ball is swung wide early. On these occasions, Parker has been involved in long raids upfield - some of which have resulted in tries.

I take your point 40nil, the backs taking it up usually depends on where they are in relation to the ball being played. But, out of all the backs apart from Jorge who doesn't get a shot at 1st grade anymore, Parker is the only one with good impact into the defence line.

 

[Eagle 1]

I take your point 40nil, the backs taking it up usually depends on where they are in relation to the ball being played. But, out of all the backs apart from Jorge who doesn't get a shot at 1st grade anymore, Parker is the only one with good impact into the defence line.

I intentionally left out Tommy, he does this I know, but I would imagine it would be something that Des would probably frown upon.