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Shannon Walker
Lightning teenage Titan
Luke Turgeon
06Nov07
TEENAGE sensation Shannon Walker is tipped to become one of the fastest men in the NRL next season after posting a scorching sprint time on the Titans' first day of pre-season training at Casuarina yesterday.
The Gold Coast players were put through their paces in a variety of fitness and strength drills to kick off their 2008 campaign.
But it was rookie Walker who produced the standout performance of the day when he ran 40m in an electronically-timed 4.7sec.
"It was about mid, warming up a bit," said 19-year-old Walker, with a cheeky, almost self conscious grin after the morning hitout.
Top Australian sprint coach Sharon Hannan, who coaches Gold Coast athletics star Sally McLellan, said Walker's time was made all the more special by the fact he was wearing footy boots and running on grass.
McLellan, who is the second fastest Australian woman of all time, clocked her personal best of 11.14 over 100m at the athletics world championships in Osaka in August.
Her 40m split for that run was 5.138sec.
"Wow, that is impressive," said Hannan, when informed of Walker's sprint time.
The 2007 Queensland Cup player of the year and Junior Kangaroos fullback, Walker is tipped by many within the Titans ranks to make his NRL debut next season.
"I would be surprised if he didn't play first grade at some stage," said Titans coach John Cartwright.
Gold Coast co-captain Scott Prince, who is rooming with Walker at the two-day training camp on the Tweed Coast, predicted big things ahead for the young Kyogle product.
"He has definitely got the skills," said Prince.
"Speed is hard to find. He is just a natural athlete.
"He is only young but he has performed at Queensland Cup level quite well.
"But he has to work hard to get into the side and I am sure Carty will give him a couple of runs throughout the year.
"It is really up to him how he wants to approach it but he would look good in a Titans jersey."
Prince said Walker would be one of, if not the quickest player, in the NRL.
"I don't like to compare guys but he has got the skills of somebody like Matty Bowen, the speed and acceleration and footwork.
"You would have to say he would be up there (with the quickest players in the NRL).
"I was just talking to (Matt Bowen's cousin and new Titans recruit) Brenton Bowen and I was asking how Matty went over the 40m and he said he does it in 4.7-4.6 seconds as well.
"When you watch Matty run in games he looks quick so I am sure Walks would look the same."
The next fastest Titans over 40m was new recruit Ben Jeffrey (4.9) and veteran Mat Rogers (4.91).
Prop Aaron Cannings, who tips the scales at 110kg, was the fastest forward (5.0) ahead of back rower Luke Swain (5.06).
http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2007/1...ast-titans.html
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Shannon Walker
Lightning teenage Titan
Luke Turgeon
06Nov07
TEENAGE sensation Shannon Walker is tipped to become one of the fastest men in the NRL next season after posting a scorching sprint time on the Titans' first day of pre-season training at Casuarina yesterday.
The Gold Coast players were put through their paces in a variety of fitness and strength drills to kick off their 2008 campaign.
But it was rookie Walker who produced the standout performance of the day when he ran 40m in an electronically-timed 4.7sec.
"It was about mid, warming up a bit," said 19-year-old Walker, with a cheeky, almost self conscious grin after the morning hitout.
Top Australian sprint coach Sharon Hannan, who coaches Gold Coast athletics star Sally McLellan, said Walker's time was made all the more special by the fact he was wearing footy boots and running on grass.
McLellan, who is the second fastest Australian woman of all time, clocked her personal best of 11.14 over 100m at the athletics world championships in Osaka in August.
Her 40m split for that run was 5.138sec.
"Wow, that is impressive," said Hannan, when informed of Walker's sprint time.
The 2007 Queensland Cup player of the year and Junior Kangaroos fullback, Walker is tipped by many within the Titans ranks to make his NRL debut next season.
"I would be surprised if he didn't play first grade at some stage," said Titans coach John Cartwright.
Gold Coast co-captain Scott Prince, who is rooming with Walker at the two-day training camp on the Tweed Coast, predicted big things ahead for the young Kyogle product.
"He has definitely got the skills," said Prince.
"Speed is hard to find. He is just a natural athlete.
"He is only young but he has performed at Queensland Cup level quite well.
"But he has to work hard to get into the side and I am sure Carty will give him a couple of runs throughout the year.
"It is really up to him how he wants to approach it but he would look good in a Titans jersey."
Prince said Walker would be one of, if not the quickest player, in the NRL.
"I don't like to compare guys but he has got the skills of somebody like Matty Bowen, the speed and acceleration and footwork.
"You would have to say he would be up there (with the quickest players in the NRL).
"I was just talking to (Matt Bowen's cousin and new Titans recruit) Brenton Bowen and I was asking how Matty went over the 40m and he said he does it in 4.7-4.6 seconds as well.
"When you watch Matty run in games he looks quick so I am sure Walks would look the same."
The next fastest Titans over 40m was new recruit Ben Jeffrey (4.9) and veteran Mat Rogers (4.91).
Prop Aaron Cannings, who tips the scales at 110kg, was the fastest forward (5.0) ahead of back rower Luke Swain (5.06).
http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2007/1...ast-titans.html
