Parramatta has signed former NSW Origin star Dylan Walker, a potential Dylan Brown replacement who will make the shift immediately from the Warriors.
Walker, a premiership-winning utility who made two appearances for NSW back in 2016, has agreed to be part of the revolution overseen by new Eels coach Jason Ryles. Sources unauthorised to speak publicly have told this masthead the clubs have agreed to the move, which could be formally announced later today.
Walker, who can play in any number of positions across the backline or the forwards, has previously at five-eighth, a position that will soon be vacated by Brown.
The development comes as Parramatta legend Nathan Hindmarsh called for Brown – who signed with Newcastle on a record 10-year, $13 million deal from next year – to be released immediately.
Walker is likely to play alongside Brown in the short term, but could be an option to partner star halfback Mitchell Moses when the Kiwi international departs. Walker is now in his 13th season in the NRL, where he has made 232 first-grade appearances.
The Warriors confirmed that Walker had been released on compassionate grounds.
“We were keen for Dylan to stay until the end of the season but we appreciate why he needs to return to Sydney,” said Warriors CEO Cameron George.
Warriors star Dylan Walker is on his way to the Eels.Credit: Getty Images
“We’ve really enjoyed having him at our club and he has given us tremendous service. He goes with our support and best wishes.”
Speaking on James Graham’s The Bye Round podcast, Hindmarsh says “it makes sense” to release Brown now.
“We spoke the other week about Dylan Brown and possibly, is it better to just move him on?” Hindmarsh said.
Daly Cherry-Evans celebrates with Dylan Walker while at Manly in 2021.Credit: Getty Images
“I’m getting to that point now where it makes sense … He’s not offering much at the Eels.
“It was easy for me to do my job, cart the ball up, tackle someone, where he’s got to organise the whole shit-show that it is at the moment.
“Yeah the pressure has come in now that he’s signed with the Knights on that huge deal, but I think regardless anyway, the pressure would’ve been there without the huge price tag for next year.”
Graham added: “He just looks lost. You look at Nathan Cleary, the best halfback in the game, he makes mistakes.
“He’s not afraid to make mistakes, where I feel Dylan Brown has gone into his shell and he’s shitting himself about making a mistake.”
Walker won a premiership with South Sydney in 2014, but has played predominantly off the bench for the Warriors in recent seasons. The chance to play a more impactful role at the Eels was too good to refuse and the Warriors elected not to stand in his way.
The transfer appears to have come too late for the 30 year old to make his Eels debut against the Sea Eagles on Sunday, but he will likely make the switch for the clash against the Dragons the following week.
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