Walker ready to tackle big boys

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

DON'T expect Dylan Walker to get overawed as he counts down the sleeps to Thursday night's NRL season kick-off.

The teenage sensation will be charged with saving South Sydney from a halves crisis in 2014 following the injury to Luke Keary.

But the 19-year-old who still lives at home has revealed switching from centre to five-eighth this year will be like going back to school.

After his outstanding rookie season playing in the centres, Walker is tipped to wear the vacant number six jumper for the Rabbitohs in the opening blockbuster against the Roosters.

Souths had their off-season plans shattered when young playmaker Keary went down at the Nines with a pectoral injury that will sideline him for most of the season.

Coach Michael Maguire had already forecast his intentions to move skipper John Sutton from five-eighth into the forwards this year.

But many expected Keary's injury would force Souths to abandon those plans.

However Walker got time in the halves in the Rabbitohs trials and even without Adam Reynolds in the Charity Shield the Rabbitohs didn't miss a beat.

Now Walker has revealed why.

TAKE PART IN OUR SUPERCOACH CHALLENGE!

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Not only did he spend his entire junior career playing five-eighth at the same school as Reynolds but he also trained in the halves during the pre-season, even before Keary was injured.

"It's not a massive change for me I guess because I have done some pre-season training in that position and I know what I have to do there," Walker said.

"I got familiar with the role and all the plays.

"I have always loved the five-eighth position.

"Luke is one of my close mates and his injury has set him back and I wish him all the best.

"It has given me a chance I guess."

Walker went to Matraville High and was a few years below Reynolds at school.

"When I first started playing football I played centre as a young kid but ever since under nines I have played five-eighth," he added.

South Sydney's Dylan Walker attempts to bust the tackle of Dragon's Mitch Rein. Picture Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia

"It wasn't until last year's pre-season that I got chucked in to play centre and it just went from there.

"I played two or three games in the halves in under 20's last year but from there I started playing centre.

"But playing five-eighth is not new to me."

In one of the fastest backlines in the competition, Walker is also the quickest player at the Rabbitohs off the mark and you can bet he will use his blinding speed to test opposition defences again this year.

He scored eight tries in his debut season but he admits he is looking forward to getting his hands on the ball more playing in the halves.

Walker grew up supporting the Rabbitohs but ask him to name the greatest influence on his career and he tells you about his mum Judy.

He is the youngest of eight children and he says his mum always taught him the value of hard work.

Dylan Walker juggles a football during South Sydney Rabbitohs "extras " training. Picture Gregg Porteous Source: News Limited

"It was tough for my mum,' he said.

"She had to go work early and get home late so she could put food on the table for us.

"But mum has been my biggest supporter.

"I still live at home now and she goes to every game she can.

"I don't think she has ever missed a game.

"She went to Perth last year when we played the Warriors and she came up to the Titans game on the Gold Coast.

"She wanted to go to the Auckland Nines but I had to tell her to watch it at home.

"I'm glad to have a mum like I have. She is really proud.

"Football has changed my life but mum has taught me you always have to stay humble.

"This year I just want to do my job for the boys."

Who should South Sydney play at five-eighth?

Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang

Walker ready to tackle big boys

Dengan url

http://sportlivestyle.blogspot.com/2014/03/walker-ready-to-tackle-big-boys.html

Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya

Walker ready to tackle big boys

namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link

Walker ready to tackle big boys

sebagai sumbernya