Ben Walker picked for rabbits

[Berkeley_Eagle]

Walker given pivotal role
By Steve Jancetic
April 19, 2005

SOUTH Sydney coach Shaun McRae isn't expecting miracles, but he is hopeful recruit Ben Walker will finally provide the answer to his five-eighth woes.

Walker was picked today in the Rabbitohs No.6 jumper for his first match in the NRL since Manly's round 23 clash against the Bulldogs at Brookvale Oval in 2003.

Ironically, his first game back will be against his former club at Brookvale on Sunday.

Parramatta front rower Michael Vella will also return after being named on the bench for the match against Wests Tigers on Saturday afternoon. He has not played in the top grade since being diagnosed with thyroid cancer in February.

McRae said Walker was his best option at five-eighth given the injuries to John Sutton and lower-grade pivot Peter Taylor.

"If I had any worries I wouldn't have picked him," McRae said when asked whether Walker would be up to the challenge of first grade after being out for so long.

"I'm comfortable as to what he's done training wise. He's kept himself in great shape and he's played a lot of first-grade rugby league.

"As far as I'm concerned it's like somebody being out with a major injury and making a return to the game."

"I just feel that an experienced player of Ben's quality and calibre is ideal for us at this particular time."

Souths struggled with makeshift five-eighth Todd Polglase in the No.6 against Penrith on Saturday night.

The Rabbitohs lacked options in attack with halfback Joe Williams heavily marked by the Panthers defence.

"I'm not expecting miracles, but he's a good enough player and he's in good enough shape to come straight into the side," McRae said.

"It's not experimental in terms of can this bloke or can't this bloke play at five-eighth. We do know that he can play the position.

"I certainly don't expect him to come out first game and rip a side to shreds and be the dominant factor in the game."


Sounds like they may be reaching desperation stage now, he possibly couldnt be fit enough, and most teams know that none of the Walkers can defend too well

 

[The Mighty Rabbit]

Sounds like they may be reaching desperation stage now, he possibly couldnt be fit enough, and most teams know that none of the Walkers can defend too well

Mate, he would have to be fitter than Owen Craigie ever was, or even Peter Taylor :lol:

And, yes we are at the desperation stage.

Personally I would have played Brett Kearney at 5/8 this week, and put Ben Walker onto the bench.

Only time will tell.

Truthfully though, either way I think Manly will be too strong for Souths.

Really depends which Souths team turns up on the day.
We have been a Jekyll and Hyde team this year.

Organised one week a schmozzle the next

 

[wittyfan]

Manly to win by 30+

 

[girvie]

I wonder if they might defend with Walker at fullback and MacDougall coming into the line.

Anyone remember "Ben Walker corner"

 

[CliffyIsGod]

Yeah, Brookvale oval, the new sandpit.

 

[Big Bunny]

Sounds like they may be reaching desperation stage now, he possibly couldnt be fit enough, and most teams know that none of the Walkers can defend too well

He's played a bit of football but he's also been training for a triathalon. Defense will be an issue, but it's a sacrifice worth making if he can fire in attack or at the very least give the team a bit of structure and a better long kicking game.

 

[RainMan]

Has he had a run in PL at all? Or is it straight into NRL?

 

[mr panama]

i think he's come straight back into the nrl.

 

[Cupid Stunt]

Whats the deal with the Vella bit in the middle of that? #-o

 

[Snoop Shark]

Goes to show how desperate the bunnys are without Sutto. He is as solid as they come that Sutto ;-)

 

[MattJ]

Goes to show how desperate the bunnys are without Sutto. He is as solid as they come that Sutto ;-)

For sure, i knew we were in deep shite when sutton went off against the raiders, he was in terrific form in first few rounds, a possible rep player of the future. Atleast we have a specialist five-eight in Walker too fill the void till he returns, even if it means our defence in the halves is weak as piss, he is an experienced player and will take some pressure of williams in attack. knowing souths though, he'll probably pick up an injury against manly as well. :?

 

[ParraDude_Jay]

You could do alot worse than Ben Walker, he won't set the world on fire but he's experienced and got a good kicking game.

Better than Justin Smith or Amos Roberts at least :lol:.