Queenslander
11-11-07, 09:08 AM
Walker's Origin option
Article from: The Sunday Mail (Qld)
Peter Badel
November 11, 2007 12:00am
HE runs 100m in 10.56secs. He is rated the quickest player to grace a rugby league field in 20 years.
Now the race is on to make Shannon Walker a State of Origin star after the Titans sensation declared he will play for the first state to pick him.
Torn by divided loyalties among his family, Walker says is he prepared to represent Queensland or the Blues at senior level, depending on which outfit makes the first move.
The revelation is sure to spark concern among NSW powerbrokers, who are growing tired of the Maroons' poaching attempts, the latest of which netted Kempsey flyer Greg Inglis two years ago.
Reared in Kyogle on the NSW far north coast, the Australian Schoolboys wizard said his interstate future was wracked with confusion.
"To be honest, I don't have a preference. I'll go for the first team that picks me," Walker said.
"I don't really know where I stand.
"When I first represented Queensland (this year), some bush officials said you will have to sit down and talk about things with your mum and dad."
The problem with consulting his parents is that Walker's mum, Vera, is a Queenslander. His dad, Michael, comes from NSW.
One of 10 children, Walker's two sisters were born in Queensland. His five brothers are from NSW, but a couple barrack for the Maroons at Origin time.
To add to the mess, Walker represented the Queensland Residents this year. Under State of Origin eligibility guidelines, he is officially a Blue, having played first grade for the Kyogle Turkeys at age 16.
But rules haven't stopped the Maroons before. They've claimed Inglis. Poached fellow Kempsey boy Wayne Bartrim. Lured Adrian Lam, born in Papua New Guinea. Even Craig Smith, a Kiwi, got a start as a cane toad.
Given Walker's incredible feats this season in the Queensland Cup ? he inspired Tweed Heads to the premiership ? the Maroons won't need an invitation.
"My Mum would love me to play for the Maroons, but try telling Dad," Walker laughs.
"I played my first A-grade game at Kyogle so I guess I'm a New South Wales boy. But I've played rep footy for Queensland so I've been told by officials that I'm eligible to play for both states.
"But Origin can't be my priority at the moment. I need to make first grade first."
An NRL berth is surely not far away, with Titans managing director Michael Searle saying he has never seen a quicker player than Walker in more than two decades watching rugby league.
"I remember John Cartwright (Titans coach) seeing him and saying: 'We might lose the kid to Beijing at this rate'," Searle said.
"He's an incredible talent, but you still need the determination and grit to get there, and I think Shannon has that.
"The feeling I'm getting from Carty is that he'll blood him this year. Every challenge we've put in front of him he's met.
"He started this year in Tweed Heads colts and he ended up being the Queensland Cup player of the year."
Importantly, the hype isn't going to Walker's head. When Tweed teammates began partying after their premiership win, Walker went home to his partner Casie Winkler, 18, who is studying psychology and criminology at Bond University.
He doesn't touch alcohol.
His speed, though, is intoxicating. In his most humble tone, Walker says he has never lost a foot race. His time of 10.56, set as a 16-year-old, is no doubt a byproduct of a childhood spent chasing kangaroos and rabbits.
"Last year I was at home working with the old man. He makes boomerangs and didgeridoos, so I'd go out and look for wood with him," he says.
"I can't believe how far I've come in such a short amount of time. I'd love to play NRL.
"I'm keeping my feet on the ground."
The Sunday Mail
Article from: The Sunday Mail (Qld)
Peter Badel
November 11, 2007 12:00am
HE runs 100m in 10.56secs. He is rated the quickest player to grace a rugby league field in 20 years.
Now the race is on to make Shannon Walker a State of Origin star after the Titans sensation declared he will play for the first state to pick him.
Torn by divided loyalties among his family, Walker says is he prepared to represent Queensland or the Blues at senior level, depending on which outfit makes the first move.
The revelation is sure to spark concern among NSW powerbrokers, who are growing tired of the Maroons' poaching attempts, the latest of which netted Kempsey flyer Greg Inglis two years ago.
Reared in Kyogle on the NSW far north coast, the Australian Schoolboys wizard said his interstate future was wracked with confusion.
"To be honest, I don't have a preference. I'll go for the first team that picks me," Walker said.
"I don't really know where I stand.
"When I first represented Queensland (this year), some bush officials said you will have to sit down and talk about things with your mum and dad."
The problem with consulting his parents is that Walker's mum, Vera, is a Queenslander. His dad, Michael, comes from NSW.
One of 10 children, Walker's two sisters were born in Queensland. His five brothers are from NSW, but a couple barrack for the Maroons at Origin time.
To add to the mess, Walker represented the Queensland Residents this year. Under State of Origin eligibility guidelines, he is officially a Blue, having played first grade for the Kyogle Turkeys at age 16.
But rules haven't stopped the Maroons before. They've claimed Inglis. Poached fellow Kempsey boy Wayne Bartrim. Lured Adrian Lam, born in Papua New Guinea. Even Craig Smith, a Kiwi, got a start as a cane toad.
Given Walker's incredible feats this season in the Queensland Cup ? he inspired Tweed Heads to the premiership ? the Maroons won't need an invitation.
"My Mum would love me to play for the Maroons, but try telling Dad," Walker laughs.
"I played my first A-grade game at Kyogle so I guess I'm a New South Wales boy. But I've played rep footy for Queensland so I've been told by officials that I'm eligible to play for both states.
"But Origin can't be my priority at the moment. I need to make first grade first."
An NRL berth is surely not far away, with Titans managing director Michael Searle saying he has never seen a quicker player than Walker in more than two decades watching rugby league.
"I remember John Cartwright (Titans coach) seeing him and saying: 'We might lose the kid to Beijing at this rate'," Searle said.
"He's an incredible talent, but you still need the determination and grit to get there, and I think Shannon has that.
"The feeling I'm getting from Carty is that he'll blood him this year. Every challenge we've put in front of him he's met.
"He started this year in Tweed Heads colts and he ended up being the Queensland Cup player of the year."
Importantly, the hype isn't going to Walker's head. When Tweed teammates began partying after their premiership win, Walker went home to his partner Casie Winkler, 18, who is studying psychology and criminology at Bond University.
He doesn't touch alcohol.
His speed, though, is intoxicating. In his most humble tone, Walker says he has never lost a foot race. His time of 10.56, set as a 16-year-old, is no doubt a byproduct of a childhood spent chasing kangaroos and rabbits.
"Last year I was at home working with the old man. He makes boomerangs and didgeridoos, so I'd go out and look for wood with him," he says.
"I can't believe how far I've come in such a short amount of time. I'd love to play NRL.
"I'm keeping my feet on the ground."
The Sunday Mail